Conditionals-welcome to fun world!

What are conditionals?

They describe the result of something that might happen (in the present or future) or
might have happened but didn't (in the past) . They are made using different English
verb tenses.

FIRST CONDITIONAL-real possibility

This conditional is used to talk about future events that might happen. It uses
the present tense to discuss the possible future events. For example:

▪ If it rains, we will have to cancel the picnic.

▪ If you come with me, I will make it worthwhile for you.
▪ If I go abroad, I will get something back for you.
▪ I will go to the cinema if I do my homework.
▪ She won’t go outside unless she doesn’t tidy up her room.

Structure:

if + present simple, ... will/won’t + infinitive

If it rains tomorrow, we'll go to the cinema.

You can also use might/can/can’t

If it rains tomorrow , we might go to the cinema.

You can also use unless (if NOT), BUT REMEMBER THAT AFTER IT YOU
CANNOT USE DON’T OR DOESN’T!!!!!!!!

Unless it rains tomorrow, I will have a picnic.

She won’t go out with her friends unless does her project.

REMEMBER THAT THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS DON’T BE OR DOESN’T BE

SO YOU HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN YOU SEE SENTENCES LIKE
THIS:

If she_________(not/be) hungry, she won’t eat a sandwich.

Wrong way:
If she doesn’t be hungry is WRONG, SIMPLY A CRIME!!!
Correct way:
If she isn’t hungry, she won’t eat a sandwich.
Questions:

What will she do if it rains tomorrow/

Will they show up tomorrow if the weather is good?

SECOND CONDITIONAL-unreal possibility

This conditional is used to talk about the unreal possibility or impossible

events. They establish the course of action that would follow, where something
to happen is either hypothetical or surreal. For example:

▪ If I had a million dollars, I would buy a penthouse on Park Avenue.

▪ I could stop working if I won the lottery.
▪ If I were you, I would do this assignment.
▪ If I were you, I would ask her to marry me.
▪ What would you do if it were to rain later?

Structure:

if + past simple, ... would/wouldn’t + infinitive

If I had a lot of money, I would travel around the world.

REMEMBER THAT THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS DiDN’T BE SO YOU HAVE

TO BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN YOU SEE SENTENCES LIKE THIS:

If she_________(not/be) hungry, she wouldn’t eat a sandwich.

Wrong way:
If I didn’t be hungry, she…..
Correct way:
If I weren’t hungry, she…

WATCH OUT! IF SOMETHING IS IMPOSSIBLE TO HAPPEN IN THE

PRESENT WE USE WERE NOT WAS.

EXAMPLE:
If I were rich, I would buy an island.
If she were an alien, she would have a spaceship.
If I were a boy, I wouldn’t be a girl.
Questions:

What would you do if you had one million dollars?

Would you invite you classmates to a party if you could?

THIRD CONDITIONAL-no possibility

This conditional talks about the past, unlike the first and second which
discusses events in the real or unreal future. These conditions, too, are
impossible, because they have either already occurred or might have occurred
but won’t anymore.It describes a situation that didn't happen, and to imagine
the result of this situation. For example:

▪ If I had studied a little more in college, life would have been easier.
▪ If we had got to the airport on time, we would have caught our flight.
▪ I could have asked him about the matter if he had shown up.
▪ I wouldn’t have allowed it. (…if it had been tried with me)

Structure:

if + past perfect, ... would + have + past participle

If I had gone to bed early, I would have caught the train.

• If she had studied, she would have passed the exam (but, really we know
she didn't study and so she didn't pass)
• If I hadn't eaten so much, I wouldn't have felt sick (but I did eat a lot,
and so I did feel sick).

Questions:

Would she have passed the exam if she had known about it?

What would she have done if she had known the truth?

What would you have done if you had been me?

Where would you have gone?

WISH and IF ONLY

Wish/if only + (that) + past simple:

1.We can use 'wish'/if only to talk about something that we would like to be
different in the present or the future. It's used for things which are
impossible or very unlikely.

• I wish/if only that I had a big house (I don't have a big house, but it's a
nice idea!).
• I wish/if only that we didn't need to work today (we do need to work
today, unfortunately).
• I wish that you lived close by (you don't live close by).
• I wish that John wasn't busy tomorrow* (he is busy, unfortunately).

2.We use wish/if only with could to say we would like the ability or permission
to do something.

• I wish/if only that I could speak Spanish (but, unfortunately, I can't

speak Spanish).
• I wish/if only that I could drive (I can't drive).
• I wish that we could go to the party tonight (unfortunately, we're busy so
we can't go).
• I wish that John could help you clean up (John is at work, so he can't
help).

! notes based mostly on information from perfect grammar and eslgrammar!