FDENG002 Advanced English
Conditionals
- A sentence with a condition and a result
- Usually begins with ‘If’
- The ‘if-clause’ is a dependent clause and the ‘result clause’ is an independent
clause
- No comma needed if the sentence starts with the result clause
Zero Conditional
- Used to refer to the present time and the situation is real and possible
- Used to refer to general truths
- Both parts of the sentence to be written in simple present
- The word ‘if’ can be replaced by ‘when’
If clause Main clause
If + simple present simple present
If this thing happens that thing happens.
If you heat ice it melts.
If it rains the grass gets wet.
Examples
1. If you freeze water, it becomes solid.
2. Plants die if they don't get enough water.
3. If my husband has a cold, I usually catch it.
4. If public transport is efficient, people stop using their cars.
5. If you mix red and blue, you get purple.
6. Ice melts when you heat it.
7. If it rains, the grass gets wet.
8. The grass gets wet if it rains.
9. When it rains, the grass gets wet.
10. The grass gets wet when it rains.
First Conditional
- Used to refer to the future time and the situation is real and can possibly occur
, - Used to refer to possible condition and probable result
- Can also be used to express the degree of certainty, permission, or a
recommendation about the outcome
- The ‘if’ clause to be written in simple present and main clause to be in simple
future
If clause Main clause
If + simple present simple future
If this thing happens that thing will happen.
If you don't hurry you will miss the train.
If it rains today you will get wet.
Examples
1. If I have time, I'll finish that letter.
2. What will you do if you miss the plane?
3. Nobody will notice if you make a mistake.
4. If you drop that glass, it will break.
5. If you don't drop the gun, I'll shoot!
6. If you drop that glass, it might break.
7. If you don't leave, I'll call the police.
8. I may finish that letter if I have time.
9. If he calls you, you should go.
10. If you buy my school supplies for me, I will be able to go to the park.
Second Conditional
- Used to refer to the present time and the situation is unreal
- Used to refer to hypothetical conditions and the probable result
- The ‘if’ clause to be written in simple past and main clause to be in the present
continuous
- The verb ‘be’ is irregular in this pattern. Use ‘were’ [not ‘was’] for all persons,
singular or plural
If clause Main clause
If + simple past present conditional or present continuous
conditional
, If this thing happened that thing would happen. (but I'm not sure
this thing will happen) OR
that thing would be happening.
If you went to bed earlier you would not be so tired.
If it rained you would get wet.
If I spoke Italian I would be working in Italy.
Examples
1. If the weather wasn't so bad, we would go to the park. (But the weather is bad so we
can't go.)
2. If I was the Queen of England, I would give everyone a chicken. (But I am not the
Queen.)
3. If you really loved me, you would buy me a diamond ring.
4. If I knew where she lived, I would go and see her.
5. If I were taller, I would buy this dress.
6. If I were 20, I would travel the world.
7. If I were you, I would give up smoking.
8. If I were a plant, I would love the rain.
9. We might buy a larger house if we had more money
10. He could go to the concert if you gave him your ticket.
Third Conditional
- Used to refer to the past time and the situation is contrary to reality
- Used to refer to unreal past condition and its probable past result
- The ‘if’ clause to be written in past perfect and main clause to be in perfect
conditional
If clause Main clause
If + past perfect conditional or perfect continuous
conditional
If this thing had happened that thing would have happened. (but
neither of those things really happened)
OR
that thing would have been happening.
Conditionals
- A sentence with a condition and a result
- Usually begins with ‘If’
- The ‘if-clause’ is a dependent clause and the ‘result clause’ is an independent
clause
- No comma needed if the sentence starts with the result clause
Zero Conditional
- Used to refer to the present time and the situation is real and possible
- Used to refer to general truths
- Both parts of the sentence to be written in simple present
- The word ‘if’ can be replaced by ‘when’
If clause Main clause
If + simple present simple present
If this thing happens that thing happens.
If you heat ice it melts.
If it rains the grass gets wet.
Examples
1. If you freeze water, it becomes solid.
2. Plants die if they don't get enough water.
3. If my husband has a cold, I usually catch it.
4. If public transport is efficient, people stop using their cars.
5. If you mix red and blue, you get purple.
6. Ice melts when you heat it.
7. If it rains, the grass gets wet.
8. The grass gets wet if it rains.
9. When it rains, the grass gets wet.
10. The grass gets wet when it rains.
First Conditional
- Used to refer to the future time and the situation is real and can possibly occur
, - Used to refer to possible condition and probable result
- Can also be used to express the degree of certainty, permission, or a
recommendation about the outcome
- The ‘if’ clause to be written in simple present and main clause to be in simple
future
If clause Main clause
If + simple present simple future
If this thing happens that thing will happen.
If you don't hurry you will miss the train.
If it rains today you will get wet.
Examples
1. If I have time, I'll finish that letter.
2. What will you do if you miss the plane?
3. Nobody will notice if you make a mistake.
4. If you drop that glass, it will break.
5. If you don't drop the gun, I'll shoot!
6. If you drop that glass, it might break.
7. If you don't leave, I'll call the police.
8. I may finish that letter if I have time.
9. If he calls you, you should go.
10. If you buy my school supplies for me, I will be able to go to the park.
Second Conditional
- Used to refer to the present time and the situation is unreal
- Used to refer to hypothetical conditions and the probable result
- The ‘if’ clause to be written in simple past and main clause to be in the present
continuous
- The verb ‘be’ is irregular in this pattern. Use ‘were’ [not ‘was’] for all persons,
singular or plural
If clause Main clause
If + simple past present conditional or present continuous
conditional
, If this thing happened that thing would happen. (but I'm not sure
this thing will happen) OR
that thing would be happening.
If you went to bed earlier you would not be so tired.
If it rained you would get wet.
If I spoke Italian I would be working in Italy.
Examples
1. If the weather wasn't so bad, we would go to the park. (But the weather is bad so we
can't go.)
2. If I was the Queen of England, I would give everyone a chicken. (But I am not the
Queen.)
3. If you really loved me, you would buy me a diamond ring.
4. If I knew where she lived, I would go and see her.
5. If I were taller, I would buy this dress.
6. If I were 20, I would travel the world.
7. If I were you, I would give up smoking.
8. If I were a plant, I would love the rain.
9. We might buy a larger house if we had more money
10. He could go to the concert if you gave him your ticket.
Third Conditional
- Used to refer to the past time and the situation is contrary to reality
- Used to refer to unreal past condition and its probable past result
- The ‘if’ clause to be written in past perfect and main clause to be in perfect
conditional
If clause Main clause
If + past perfect conditional or perfect continuous
conditional
If this thing had happened that thing would have happened. (but
neither of those things really happened)
OR
that thing would have been happening.
