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Conditional (first and second)
First and Second Conditionals.
Conditional clauses begin with if (or a word such as when which means the same as if) and follow basic patterns. This Section deals with patterns which form the First, Second and Zero Conditionals:
First Conditionals
We use First Conditionals to talk about events which are possible. The Conditional clause can refer to the present or the future.
Conditional clause main clause
If+ Present Simple - will + bare infinitive
If it rains, we will stay at home.
• The Conditional clause can come before or
after the main clause. We use a comma at the
end of the Conditional clause when it comes
first:
If you don't try harder, you will fail.
You will fail if you don't try harder.
• Other structures are possible, depending on what you want to say:
Conditional clause main clause
If+ Present Simple - modal verb
If you behave yourself, you can come.
If+ Present Simple - be going to (future)
If you don't work, you're going to fail.
If+ Present Simple - imperative
If you need anything, ask.
If+ Present Continuous - will + bare infinitive
If we're leaving soon, I'll get my coat.
If+ Present Perfect - will + bare infinitive.
If I've finished, I'll be able to come.
If+ Present Perfect - modal verb
If you've finished, you can go out.
Imperative - and /or + will
Eat less and you’ll get slim.
Second Conditional
We use the Second Conditional for unlikely 'situations in the present or future:
Conditional clause main clause
If+ Past Simple -would
If I had enough money, I’d retire.
• Instead of would we can use other modal verbs:
If I lost my job, I might go abroad for a while.
• Compare First and Second Conditionals:
If I lose my job, I’ll find life very difficult.
(= there is a possibility - First Conditional)
If I lost my job, I'd find life very difficult.
(= there is no evidence - Second Conditional)
Zero Conditional
We use the Zero Conditional to show that one action, result, etc. always follows another. We often use when for if:
Conditional clause main clause
Present Simple - Present Simple
If/ when water freezes, it turns to ice.
When I travel by boat, I'm always sick.
(Just) in case
This means 'because it is possible that...' and usually comes after the main clause:
· Paul will bring you a sweater in case it gets cold.
Provided (that); as long as
These phrases suggest that there is one vital condition
· Provided you rest, you'll make a full recovery.
Unless
We can use unless to replace if... not in Conditionals After unless, we use a Present tense to talk about the future:
· Unless you leave now, you will be late.
· You will be late unless you go now.
Write two sentences using the information. The first should express a likely event and the second a less likely but still possible event.
Example: we leave at eight/we arrive on time
a) likely: If we leave at eight o'clock, we'll arrive on time.
b) less likely: If we left at eight o'clock, we'd arrive on time.
Attention, use the contractions !!
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