Support material

Learning activity 3

Presentation

A. In English some structures are called conditionals. If a specific condition is

true, then a particular result happens.

Conditionals have two clauses, the if clause and the main clause.

If you come on Sunday, I will cook lasagna.

If clause (condition). Main clause (result).

As you can see the result depends on the condition and vice versa. We have
different conditionals; they are used in different tenses depending on the
situation.

Johana is going to visit her best friend Nicole who lives in Santa Marta. Look at
the email Johana wrote to Nicole:
 Fuente: SENA

We use the first conditional to talk about events in the future that are likely to
happen. There is a real possibility that the condition will happen:

 If I can get the plane tickets on time, I will arrive by plane on Friday.
 I will travel by car if I don’t find someone to take care of my dog.
 I will send you an email if anything changes.

Structure:
 If Condition Result

Simple present Will + base verb

If my best friend comes we will go to the movies.

As you can see the condition goes in simple present while the result goes
with will + base verb.

Note: The two clauses can come in any order. When the “if” clause comes first,
they are separated by a comma. You don’t use a comma if the main clause
comes first.

Examples:

 If they get married, they will go to Aruba.

 They will go to Aruba if they get married.
 If I obtain the visa, I will visit my friend in England.
 I will visit my friend in England if I obtain the visa.
 If the labor law is approved, there will be more employment opportunities for
immigrants.
 There will be more employment opportunities for immigrants if the labor law
is approved.

B. Uses of the first conditional

The zero conditional can be used in different context:

a. Possibilities:

 If you study hard, you will pass the exam.

 If you buy the tickets this weekend, you will get an extra discount.

 If they build a new shopping mall, hundreds of trees will be cut.

 Fuente: SENA

b. For superstitions:

 If you walk under a ladder, it will bring you bad luck.

 If you rub a rabbit’s foot, it will bring you good luck.

 If you see a spider in the office, you will get a promotion.

Fuente: SENA

c. Threats and warnings:

 If you don’t wear the uniform, you can’t come to school.

 Global warming will get worse if governments don’t take action.

 Fuente: SENA

Practice

A. Now Nicole is replying to Johana’s message. Help her write an email to

Johana by completing the sentences with a verb from the box in first
conditional.

rent / organize / to be / cook / cancel

 Fuente: SENA

B. Here are some of Johana’s plans. Write sentences in the first conditional
using the information in the following chart. One example is done for you.

Condition Result
no rain wash car
get paid buy cellphone
finish work early coffee with Dan
have questions email Nicole
go to the mall buy present for Nicole
travel by plane take a magazine to read
visit Tayrona take lots of pictures
travel with her dog take dog food with her
stay in a hotel get a room with balcony

1. If it doesn’t rain, she will wash her car.

2. _______________________________.
3. _______________________________.
4. _______________________________.
5. _______________________________.
6. _______________________________.
7. _______________________________.
8. _______________________________.
9. _______________________________.

C. These first conditional sentences have some mistakes. Find and correct
them.

1. If the situation gets worse, I will looks for a new job.

__________________________________________

2. My sister will graduate if she present her thesis.

__________________________________________

3. My cellphone will switch off, if I doesn’t connect it now.

 __________________________________________

4. We celebrate her birthday if she doesn’t travel.

__________________________________________

5. The car won’t works if the mechanic doesn’t fix it.

__________________________________________

6. He will be the president as he wins the elections.

__________________________________________

7. I would live in Canada if I get the visa.

__________________________________________

D. Put the words in the correct order to make first conditional sentences.

1. Jake / the / doesn’t / work / will / a / take / if / car / taxi

__________________________________________
2. will / Ana / arrives / she /late / be / if / again / fired
__________________________________________
3. will / if / hurry / we / we / this /not / project / don’t / finish
__________________________________________
4. pass / I / if / practice / the / test / for / the / will / course / I
__________________________________________
5. does / rain / will / it / the / not / if / kids / bikes / ride / their
__________________________________________
6. if / I / time / will / movies / to / the / go / I have
__________________________________________
7. get / she / if / we / well / married / “yes” / says
__________________________________________

Production
A. Complete the following chart with your plans for the weekend. Take the
condition before writing the plan into account.

Condition Plan
If I have to work / study…
If I have money…
If it rains…
If my best friend is in town…
If I am tired…
If there is a party…
If I have to run errands…

B. Global warming is a serious problem that concerns everybody on our

planet. How can we fight against it? Write a 150-word composition where
you express your ideas about it. Use first conditional to express your
ideas when possible.

Aspects to take into account in your composition:

1. What will happen if the problem continues to grow?

2. What can your community do to help with this problem?
3. What can governments and industries do?
 Fuente: SENA

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Document control
 Name Position Dependence Date

Theme expert Dirección de

Juan Carlos Asesor English Dot formación October
Author
Solano Works - Programa profesional. 2014
de bilingüismo Dirección General

Centro
Rachman Copy editor – Línea November
Adaptation Agroindustrial.
Bustillo Martínez de producción 2014
Regional Quindío