CONDITIONALS

TWO CLAUSES CONDITIONAL CLAUSE / “IF” CLAUSE GENERAL STRUCTURE

MAIN CLAUSE / “RESULT” CLAUSE
“IF” CLAUSE + , + MAIN CLAUSE
OR
MAIN CLAUSE + “IF” CLAUSE

TYPES OF CONDITIONALS REAL CONDITIONAL ZERO CONDITIONAL (also called “general conditional”)

IF (PRESENT) + PRESENT

UNREAL CONDITIONAL FIRST CONDITIONAL

(second conditional)
UNREAL PAST CONDITIONAL IF (PRESENT) + FUTURE
(third conditional)
 ZERO CONDITIONAL
POSSIBLE AT ANY TIME
• EVENTS OR SITUATIONS THAT CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME.
• ACTIONS WHICH ALWAYS HAVE THE SAME RESULT.
• CAN BE USED WITH ANY PRESENT TENSE.
• “WHEN” CAN BE USED INSTEAD OF IF.

PRESENT SIMPLE PRESENT CONTINUOUS PRESENT PERFECT

If you heat water, it boils.
If you don’t water the
plants, they die quickly.
What time do you wake up
if you have to work?
If she’s going away on
vacation, she asks me to
watch her house.
They don’t like eating out,
when they celebrate their
anniversary.
When you’re feeling sad,
who do you call?
If she’s had her coffee,
she’s in a good mood.
I can’t sleep at night if I
haven’t locked the door.
If you have saved enough
money, do you plan to buy
that?
 FIRST CONDITIONAL
LIKELY OR POSSIBLE

• FORMED WITH A PRESENT TENSE “IF” CLAUSE AND A FUTURE FORM MAIN CLAUSE.
• POSSIBLE FUTURE EVENTS.
• SITUATIONS AND THEIR RESULTS.
• COMMANDS – OFFERS – SUGGESTIONS – WARNINGS
• MODAL VERBS – CAN – MAY – SHOULD

PRESENT TENSE “IF” CLAUSE FUTURE FORM MAIN CLAUSE

If the students don’t study, they will not pass the exams.
If I go to the cinema tonight, I will have spent what’s left of my money.
If she’s playing tennis, she won’t be able to answer your call.
When I’ve cleaned the house, I can take you to the park.