Conditionals: The ‘unreal’ past,

present and future

What is a ‘conditional’ tense?

Conditional tenses are used to speculate about what could happen, what might
have happened, and what we wish would happen.

How do you form a ‘conditonal’ tense

1. Zero
2. Type I
3. Type II  depending on the type, different tenses are used
4. Type III
5. Mixed

However, every ‘conditonal’ sentence consists of

1. An if-clause that contains a condition (e.g. If it rains today…)

IF can be replaced by unless (Unless you go to bed now, you will be tired
tomorrow)
2. A main-clause that contains the (possible) result (e.g. I will get wet)
Zero conditional

If ice heats up - it melts

Simple present Simple present
General truth: now and always / real and possible

Exercise
Complete the following sentences.

In this exercise, you will only have to use a zero conditional.

1. If ice __________________ (get) to 0 degrees Celsius, it _________________(melt)

2. Food _______________ (go)bad if if you ________________(leave) it out the fridge.

3. People ______________ (go out) less, if the weather _________________(get) cold.

4. If it ___________________ (not rain), flowers ______________________ (die).

First conditonal

If you hurry - you will catch your train.

Simple present Simple future

Real POSSIBLE situation in the present or future: possible condition +

CERTAIN possible result
Will can be replaced with can

Exercise
1. If we ____________________, we ____________________, there in time. (HURRY,

GET)

2. I ____________________, to the doctor unless the pain ____________________,

(NOT GO, INCREASE)

3. If you ____________________, in public places you ____________________, into

trouble. (SMOKE, GET)

4. We ____________________, for a picnic tomorrow if the weather

____________________ nice. (GO, STAY)

5. Everyone ____________________, you if you ____________________, them the

truth. (BELIEVE, TELL)

6. If he _____________________, he ____________________, work on time. (NOT

WAKE, NOT GET)

7. If she ____________________, her keys, she ____________________, angry.

(LOSE, BE)

8. If the baby ____________________, a boy, I ____________________, him

Jonathon. (BE, CALL)

9. You ____________________, an accident if you ____________________, so

carelessly. (CAUSE, DRIVE)

10. She ____________________, it if ____________________, me the truth.

(REGRET, NOT TELL)

11. If you ____________________, house now, you ____________________, late for

the meeting. (NOT LEAVE, BE)

12. Margaret ____________________, to the party unless you

____________________, her. (NOT COME, INVITE)

13. I ____________________, you with the dishes if you ____________________,

tired. (HELP, BE)

14. We ____________________, any tickets for the performance unless we

____________________, them in advance. (NOT GET, BUY)

15. If you ____________________, shouting, I ____________________, to you. (NOT

STOP, NOT LISTEN)