A Speaking

G R A MM A R F OR S P E A K I N G   The Real Conditional: Present and Future

Present Real Conditional
We use the present real conditional to talk about situations that are always or
generally true.
       if clause (condition)    main clause (result)
If I have chocolate in the house, I eat it.
We often use when instead of if in the conditional clause.
When people have more fruit in their diet, they get more vitamins.

Future Real Conditional

We use the future real conditional to talk about situations that are possible in the
future.
       if clause (condition)        main clause (result)
If you don’t eat a varied diet, you are not going to be very healthy.
   main clause (result)     
if clause (condition)
We will call you if we see Thomas at the festival.
Notice that the if clause can come before or after the main clause.
      main clause (result)      if clause (condition)
I won't be hungry for dinner if I have a snack now.

A Work with a partner. Use the words and phrases below to make sentences using the
present real conditional.
> If I don’t eat breakfast, I feel very hungry by late morning.
Condition Result
1. I / not eat / breakfast I / feel very hungry / by late morning
2. I / arrive late / to class I / enter the room / quietly
3. my sister / see / fresh oranges she / always want / buy some
4. you / not like / fish you / should not order / that dish
5. I / feel hungry / at night I / sometimes order / a pizza
6. people / not like to eat / meat they / can become / vegetarians

B Work with a partner. Read the situations. Then talk about results for each situation. Use
the future real conditional.
> You won’t have healthy teeth if you eat a lot of sugar.
1. you eat a lot of sugar 4. you don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables
2. you drink coffee late at night 5. people learn how to cook
3. children eat a lot of fast food 6. I eat a very big lunch

108  UNIT 6  LESSON A