Conditionals Introduction

Conditionals are sentences with two clauses - a main clause and an if clause. Conditionals state that the action in the main clause can only take place if a certain condition in the if clause is fulfilled.

If we don't hurry, we will be late!

The order of the main clause and if clauses is not fixed. Although when the if clause precedes the main one, use a comma.

There are five main types of conditionals in English:

• zero conditionals -- are used to describe things that are always or generally true. Thus we refer to the real and possible situations, general truths, or scientific facts. Zero conditionals follow the pattern:

• Conditionals type 1 or first conditionals -- are used to describe future events that will happen or are likely to happen. These sentences are based on facts, thus we make statements about the real world or particular situation. First conditionals follow the pattern:

• Conditionals type 2 or second conditionals -- are used to describe hypothetical, unlikely, or impossible situations. These sentences are not based on facts, thus we can refer to any time. Second conditionals follow the pattern:

• Conditionals type 3 or third conditionals -- are used to describe a past event that is different to what really happened. These sentences are solely hypothetical, thus there is always some implication of regret. Third conditionals follow the pattern:

• Mixed conditionals -- refer to conditional sentences that combine two different types of conditional patterns. They are used to refer to a time in the past, and a situation that is ongoing in the present. Mixed conditionals usually follow the pattern:

Guided Practice#

Follow the patterns and write down the sentences.

• when/it/to get too hot/people/not to feel well.
• if/we/to go/to the bar/I/not to drink anything.
• if/we/to have/more money/we/to buy/a new couch.
• if/the Smiths/to set up an alarm/they/not to miss/the flight.
• if/Peter/to play the piano/every day/he/to be/rich and famous now.

Short Story using Conditionals#

–If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

–If I could live anywhere, I would move to Japan. I think this country is simply amazing. And it's very safe there.

–Well, if you learn Japanese, you can move there.

–If I had studied it at high school, I would be there already. It's a dream of mine to live there at some point.

Independent Practice#

Decide which conditional is used.

1. If you listened to me, you would remember the story.

2. If I find you scarf at my place, I'll let you know.

3. Kids love playing outside when it is summer.

4. If my mom had come later, she wouldn't have noticed the mess.

5. We would use public transport less often if we bought the car.

Choose the correct word or phrase in the following sentences.

1. What would we do if we miss/missed our bus?

2. He would have freak out/would have freaked out if his wife had spent all his money on clothes.

3. I would be surprised if he didn't know/didn't knew the answer.

4. If you decide to go out with your friends tonight, let me know/will you let me know in advance.

5. I will be/would be a famous writer if I had started writing earlier.