Conditionals
Conditionals describe the result of something that might happen (in the present or future) or might have happened but didn't (in the past).
ZERO CONDITIONAL (REAL IN THE PRESENT)
present simple + present simple
If I have enough time, I watch TV every evening.
If you freeze water, it becomes solid.
If I drink too much coffee, I can't sleep at night.
Ice melts if you heat it.
When the sun goes down, it gets dark.
FIRST CONDITIONAL (REAL IN THE FUTURE)
present simple + (will + verb)
If I have enough time, I will watch TV later on tonight.
If you tidy my bedroom, I'll give you my sweets.
If it rains tomorrow, I won’t go out.
If he comes early, we'll go to the theatre.
If he doesn't come early, we won't go to the theatre.
If it rains tomorrow, I'll take the car.
If it doesn't rain tomorrow, we'll go to the beach.
Arsenal will be top of the league if they win.
When I finish work, I'll call you.
SECOND CONDITIONAL (UNREAL IN THE PRESENT / FUTURE)
past simple + (would + verb)
If I had enough time, I would watch TV now or later on.
If I had a free year, I would travel around the world.
If you took a taxi, you would get there in time.
If you didn't go to that place, you wouldn't get in trouble.
If I lived closer to the cinema, I would go more often.
If we had a garden, we could have a cat.
If I won a lot of money, I'd buy a big house in the country.
I wouldn't worry if I were you.
THIRD CONDITIONAL (UNREAL IN THE PAST)
past perfect + (would have + past participle)
If I had had enough time, I would have watched TV yesterday.
If I had been taller, I would have been a policeman.
If I had won the lottery, I would have bought a new house.
If I had understood the instructions properly, I would have passed the exam.
We wouldn't have got lost if my phone hadn't run out of battery.
Conditionals Quiz
Summary
Conditionals are a type of sentence that expresses a condition or possibility. They are used to talk about hypothetical situations, future events, and what might have happened.
There are four main types of conditionals:
- Zero conditional: This type of conditional is used to talk about things that are always true. For example, "If you heat water to 100 degrees Celsius, it will boil."
- First conditional: This type of conditional is used to talk about possible situations in the present or future. For example, "If I study hard, I will pass my exam."
- Second conditional: This type of conditional is used to talk about hypothetical situations that are not likely to happen. For example, "If I won the lottery, I would travel the world."
- Third conditional: This type of conditional is used to talk about hypothetical situations that could have happened but did not. For example, "If I had studied harder, I would have passed my exam."
Each type of conditional has its own set of grammar rules. For example, the zero conditional uses the simple present tense in both the if clause and the main clause. The first conditional uses the simple present tense in the if clause and the simple future tense in the main clause.
Conditionals can be a bit tricky to use, but they are a very useful tool in English grammar. By understanding the different types of conditionals and their grammar rules, you can use them to express your ideas clearly and effectively.
Here are some examples of conditionals:
- Zero conditional: If you heat water to 100 degrees Celsius, it will boil.
- First conditional: If I study hard, I will pass my exam.
- Second conditional: If I won the lottery, I would travel the world.
- Third conditional: If I had studied harder, I would have passed my exam.
How can I use conditionals in my writing?
Conditionals can be used to make your writing more interesting and engaging. They can also be used to create a sense of suspense or mystery.
For example, you could write a story about a character who is lost in the woods. You could use conditionals to describe the different hypothetical situations that the character could encounter. This would make the story more suspenseful and interesting for the reader.
What are some common mistakes people make with conditionals?
One common mistake people make with conditionals is using the wrong tense. For example, they might use the simple past tense in the if clause and the simple future tense in the main clause. This is incorrect.
Another common mistake people make with conditionals is using the wrong modal verb. For example, they might use "would" in the if clause and "could" in the main clause. This is also incorrect.
How can I avoid making mistakes with conditionals?
To avoid making mistakes with conditionals, it is important to remember the different grammar rules for each type of conditional. You can also check a good dictionary or grammar book for help.