AGRUPAMENTO DE ESCOLAS GARCIA DE ORTA – ESCOLA SECUNDÁRIA/3 GARCIA DE ORTA

Conditional Sentences
ZERO CONDITIONAL (Type 0)

We use the zero conditional to talk about general facts, when one event or action always
happens as a logical result of another event or action.
We can sometimes use when instead of if.

Condition: If + present simple tense , +

Result: present simple tense

 If / When you heat water in a saucepan, it boils at 100º C.

 Water boils at 100º C if / when you heat it in a saucepan.

FIRST CONDITIONAL (Type 1)

We use the first conditional to talk about a possible future action, and its probable result.

Condition: If + present simple tense , +

Result: Future (will) + infinitive verb without ‘to’

 If you go out without your umbrella on a rainy day, you´ll / will get wet.
 You’ll / will get wet if you go out without your umbrella on a rainy day.

SECOND CONDITIONAL (Type 2)

We use the second conditional to talk about an imaginary situation in the present or an
unlikely situation in the future, and its results.
In the conditional clause, we sometimes use were instead of was after I, she, he
, it.

Condition: If + past simple tense , +

Result: Conditional (would) + infinitive verb without ‘to’

 If I won the lottery, I would buy a big shelter for animals.

 I would buy a big shelter for animals if I won the lottery.

THIRD CONDITIONAL (Type 3)

We use the third conditional to talk about unreal situations in the past. The
condition is impossible, because we cannot change what happened. Consequently,
the result is also impossible.

Condition: If + Past Perfect tense (had + past participle), +

Result: would have + past participle of a verb.

 If my grandfather had danced with Rosie in that 1920 summer afternoon, she would
have married him.
 Rosie would have married my grandfather if he had danced with her in that summer
afternoon.

Teacher: Cristina Girão Page 1 of 3

Exercises:

A. Supply the correct form of the verb in brackets in order to use the three
CONDITIONALS:

1. He ______________________ (to be) able to see her if he had come earlier.

2. If we ______________________ (to have) nothing to do, life would be monotonous.
3. He wouldn’t phone me here unless it _______________ (to be) urgent.
4. We should be very ill if we ________________ (to drink) that dirty water.
5. If I ___________________ (to see) him, I would have given him the message.
6. If you ________________ (not to give) him good meals, he won’t be able to work hard.
7. We’ll give him these books if he _______________ (to come).
8. His mother __________________ (not to worry) about him if he drove carefully.
9. If it had not rained, we _______________________ (to go) to the beach.
10. If he ____________________ (to have) a car, he would have made a trip last Summer.
11. He _________________ (not to know) my address unless someone gave it to him.
12. If we ______________ (not to wear) warm clothing, we should feel very cold in
Winter.

B. Rewrite the following sentences beginning as suggested!

1. Don’t smoke! Be healthier!

If
________________________________________________________________
_____
2. He missed the bus. He was late for the interview.
If
________________________________________________________________
____
3. I am not the President of the USA. I Can’t solve any problems.
If
________________________________________________________________
____
4. Peter was late for work. His boss was annoyed.
If
________________________________________________________________
_____
5. Peter made a sarcastic remark. He was dismissed.
If
________________________________________________________________
_____
6. It is raining. I won’t go out.

Teacher: Cristina Girão Page 2 of 3

 If
________________________________________________________________
_4____
7. If you go with him, he will give you a new worksheet.
Unless
______________________________________________________________
8. You are hungry. You find food in the fridge.
If
________________________________________________________________
____

Teacher: Cristina Girão Page 3 of 3