Conditionals
‘Condition’ means situation - the way that things are, will be or may be. Conditional sentences are often called ‘if clauses’ and they tell us about a possible outcome (result) based on a condition. There are four main types of conditional sentences, zero, first, second and third conditional.
Zero Conditional - This structure is used when we want to talk about a general truth, something that is 100% certain.
If you heat water to 100°C, it boils.
This statement is accepted to be true; it is a fact. Notice that there are two verbs in this sentence ‘heat’ and ‘boils’ and that they are separated by a comma. It is also important to notice how they are both in the present simple tense because this tense is the one that we use when we are talking about a general truth e.g. France is in Europe.
Task 1
Put the verbs from the box in the correct form in the sentences below.
melt feel go get press not sleep stay
die start not eat read rain |
1. If I ……………………….at night, I ……………………….a book.
2. If he ………………………. ill, he ………………………. to the doctor.
3. If it ………………………., we ………………………. at home.
4. If you ………………………., you ……………………….
5. If chocolates ………………………. too hot, they ……………………….
6. If you ………………………. ‘play’, the film ……………………….
It is also possible to put the ‘if’ part of the sentence in the middle. Be aware of any lexical (word) changes that may be necessary.
Water boils if you heat it to 100°C.
Task 2
Rewrite the sentences from task 1 with ‘if’ in the middle.
First Conditional - This talks about things that probably will happen but are not as certain as the zero conditional.
If I finish my homework, I will meet you.
Here the speaker is not certain that they will finish their homework BUT if they do, they will meet the listener. In the ‘if’ part of the sentence, the verb is in the present simple but the other verb is written with a modal auxiliary verb because they tell us about the probability of the main verb.
Task 3
Decide which of these sentences are correct; change the ones that are not.
1. If he goes, he won’t come back.
2. If you will study more, you learn quickly.
3. If we will score one more goal, we will win the match.
4. If I feel better, I will let you know.
5. If she’ll listen to you, she’d understand.
6. If you try, you may pass the exam.
Task 4
Rewrite the sentences from task 3 with ‘if’ in the middle.
Second conditional - This conditional really is more like a dream and not likely to happen.
If I won the lottery, I would buy a Ferrari.
The chances of winning the lottery are very small, especially if you don’t buy a ticket. Notice that the verb in the ‘if’ part of the sentence is now in the past simple and the main verb is used with a modal auxiliary verb.
Task 5
Correct these sentences to make them into unlikely situations in the second conditional.
1. If I am you, I read more.
2. If he is clever, he buys them all.
3. If Wales beat England at football, I am amazed.
4. If I am a girl, I wear a lovely dress.
5. If you are here, we go to the beach together.
6. If Charles and Elizabeth aren’t brother and sister, they like each other more.
Task 6
Rewrite the sentences from task 5 with ‘if’ in the middle.
Third Conditional - An impossible situation in the past.
If I knew about your visit, I would have prepared dinner.
Clearly we can’t change the past; this conditional expresses regret (sadness about the past) and an impossible alternative (different) result. Now the verb in the ‘if’ part of the sentence is in the past simple and the main verb is used with the modal auxiliary verb in the past - as these can be complicated, here is a list.
Present |
Past |
Must |
Had to |
Will / Shall |
Would |
Should / Ought to |
Should / Ought to have done |
May / Might |
May / Might have done |
Could |
Could have done |
Can |
Could |
Would |
Would have done |
Wouldn’t |
Wouldn’t have done |
Can’t |
Couldn’t |
Couldn’t |
Couldn’t have done |
May not / Mightn’t |
May not / Mightn’t have done |
Shouldn’t / Ought not to |
Shouldn’t / Ought not to have done |
Won’t / Shalln’t |
Wouldn’t |
Mustn’t |
Couldn’t have done |
Task 7
Rewrite these sentences by changing the modal auxiliary verb phrase in italics to the modal auxiliary in the past. Write your own third conditional sentences for the last two.
1. If somebody told you, you would go.
2. If I saw her, I would remember.
3. If we didn’t study, we would fail the exam.
4. If they had finished their homework, we would meet them.
5.
6.
Task 8
Rewrite the sentences from task 7 with ‘if’ in the middle.
Conditionals at a Glance
Zero Conditional - 100% certain.
If you heat water to 100°C, it boils.
present simple present simple
First Conditional - probably will happen but are not as certain as the zero conditional.
If I finish my homework, I will meet you.
present simple modal auxiliary verb + main verb
Second conditional - not likely
If I won the lottery, I would buy a Ferrari.
past simple modal auxiliary verb + main verb
Third Conditional - impossible situation in the past.
If I knew about your visit, I would have prepared dinner.
past simple modal auxiliary verb in the past + past participle
