Conditionals

►The Zero Conditional

►The First Conditional

►The Second Conditional

The Zero Conditional (Structure)
The Zero Conditional sentence, like all other conditionals,
consists of two clauses, an "if clause" and a "main clause".

We use the same verb form in each clause of a zero conditional:

the present simple tense:
■ If Clause: If + Subject + Present Simple
■ Main Clause: Subject + Present Simple
If you heat water to 100 degrees, it boils.
The Zero Conditional (Uses)
The Zero Conditional is used to talk about things which are
always or usually true ―scientific facts, general truths, etc.:
►Example: If you cross an international dateline, the time
changes.
Explanation: This always happens every time you cross a
dateline.
► Example: If you dive 10 meters under water, the pressure
increases to two atmospheres.
Explanation: This is basically always true ―the pressure of 10
meters of water equals one atmosphere.
► Example: Phosphorus burns if you expose it to air.
Explanation: This is a scientific fact ―you can test it in a lab.
The Zero Conditional (Using When)
(note that MOST Zero Conditional sentences will mean the
same if "when" is used instead of "if"):
● If you heat water to 100 degrees, it boils.
● When you heat water to 100 degrees, it boils.
But
● If When you get this exercise right, you have a good brain.
If proves that you have a good brain.
When will make you have a good brain.
Comma?! ▬This Rule Applies to All Conditionals

► When the "if" clause comes first, a Comma is used:

If clause + , + main clause.

If you heat water to 100 degrees, it boils.

► When the "if" clause comes second, a Comma is NOT

used:
Main clause + if clause. (No Comma)
Water boils if you heat it to 100 degrees.
Let’s Practice:
Use the conditions and results in the box to complete the phrases below.
Conditions: you've got a headache, you add sugar,
you heat it to 100º C,
you leave gates open in the country,
Results: you get pink, A dog bites, Butter melts,
the DVD player comes on, it scratches you,
You have more chance of being killed
you heat it to 100 ºc
1.Water boils if _______________________________.
you get pink
2.If you mix red and white, _______________________________.
Butter melts
3._______________________________ if you leave it in the sun.
you've got a headache
4.If _______________________________, take an aspirin.
you add sugar
5.If _______________________________, it tastes sweet.
A dog bites
6._______________________________ if you go near its food when it's eating.
it scratches you
7.If you pull a cat's tail, _______________________________.
You have more chance of being killed if you don't wear a seat belt.
8._______________________________
the DVD player comes on
9. If you press this button, _______________________________.
you leave gates open in the country
10. Farmers get very angry if _______________________________.
The First Conditional (Structure)
The First Conditional sentence consists of two clauses,
an "if clause" and a "main clause":

We use the present simple with the If clause

Will + Infinitive with the main clause:
► If Clause: If + Subject + Present Simple
► Main Clause: Subject + Will + V. Infinitive

If clause + , + main clause.

If it rains, we will stay indoors.
The First Conditional (Uses)
The First Conditional is used to talk about things which are
possible in the present or the future ―things which may
happen:
►Example: If it's sunny, we'll go to the park.
Explanation: Maybe it will be sunny ―that's possible.

► Example: Paula will be sad if Juan leaves.

Explanation: Maybe Juan will leave ― that's possible.
The First Conditional – with Time
Connectors, replacement of “IF”
Instead of IF, We can also use WHEN, AS SOON AS,
UNLESS, UNTIL, and BEFORE when we refer to
future events.
Examples:
When the rain stops, we´ll have a picnic.
You won´t get thinner unless you don´t give up sugar.
As soon as lunch is ready, they will eat.
We won´t sing the Happy B-day until everybody is
present.
We will do some warm-up exercises before we do
aerobics.
When to use them
ALTERNATIVE TO WHY USE IT? EXAMPLE
“IF”
When When the “condition” will When I die, I’ll leave all my
definitely happen. money to charity.
This situation is very urgent. I’ll
As soon as To emphasize immediacy call you as soon as I have more
information.
In place of “if not” You’ll fail the test unless you
Unless study.
= You’ll fail the test if you don’t
study
 Let’s Practice:
arrives
1. If Jack ______________ late again, his trainer will be furious. (to arrive)
2. You'll be sorry if you ______________
do not revise for your exams. (to revise)
will go
3. We ______________ if the weather's good. (to go)
is
4. If the bus ______________ on time, I won't miss the football match. (to be)
do
5. If you ______________ your homework now, you'll be free tomorrow. (to do)
6. We ______________
will eat out if there's no food at home. (to eat)
7. You'll find life much easier if you ______________
smile more often. (to smile)
will go
8. If it's hot, we ______________ for a swim. (to go)
take
9. You'll do it better if you ______________ more time over it. (to take)
keeps
10.If she ______________ practicing, she'll get better. (to keep)
11.I ______________
will be so happy if I pass the exam. (to be)
12.You'll be really tired tomorrow if you ______________
do not go to bed soon. (to go)
Link for Exercises
http://www.englishexercises.org/makeagame/viewga
me.asp?id=2589
Second Conditional
The Second Conditional (Structure)
The Second Conditional sentence consists of two clauses,
an "if clause" and a "main clause":
We use the past simple with the If clause
Would + Infinitive with the main clause:
► If Clause: If + Subject + Past Simple
► Main Clause: Subject + Would + V. Infinitive

If clause + , + main clause.

If it rained, we should stay indoors.
NB: You may use Would, Could, Should, or Might.
The Second Conditional (Uses)
The Second Conditional is used to talk about things which
are unreal (not true or not possible) in the present or the
future ―things which don't or won't happen:
►Example: If I were you, I would drive more carefully.
(I am not you ―this is unreal)

►Example: Mariam would be sad if Rana left.

(Rana won’t leave ―that's not going to happen)

►Example: If cats had wings, they would be able to fly.

(Cats don't have wings ―that's impossible)
The Second Conditional (with Verb to BE)
Note that the "Past Simple" form is slightly different from usual in
the case of Verb to BE.

When there is an impossibility, we use "were" instead of "was"

with any subject whether singular or plural.

►If I were rich, I'd buy a big house.

= unlikely to be rich

►If he were here, he wouldn’t allow that.

= he is not here; he is somewhere else
 Let’s Practice:

were
1. If Joe ___________ would catch (catch) some fish for supper.
(be) here, he ___________

stopped (stop)!
would be (be) nice if the rain ___________
2. It ___________

could give (give) you a chocolate if I ___________

3. I ___________ had (have) any.

had
4. If I ___________ (have) a better sleeping bag, I would not feel (not feel) so cold.
___________

were
5. If this tent ___________ would sleep (have to sleep)
(be) any smaller, one of us ___________
outside!

6. I ___________
would look (look) out for bears if I ___________
were (be) you!

were not
7. If I ___________ could share (share) my beans with you.
(not be) so hungry, I ___________

Were
8. ___________ could / would help
(be) I here, I ______________________ (help) you.
Link for Exercises
http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/second-
conditional-exercise-1.html