Conditional sentences

 The Zero Conditional

 The 1st Conditional
 The 2nd Conditional
 The 3rd Conditional
 Exercises

Dr. José Javier Ávila Cabrera

 The Zero Conditional
 Structure
If/When + subordinate clause + main clause
Main clause + if/when + subordinate clause

If/When + subj. + present simple, subj. + present simple

Subj. + present simple + if/when+ subj. + present simple

Other options: Unless/When/Whenever + subj. + present simple, subj. + present simple

 Uses
Facts, laws of nature, general truths

 Samples
If my smartphone battery is uncharged, it doesn’t work.
My smartphone (it) doesn’t work if its battery is uncharged.

When I leave home at 08:00, I miss the bus.

I miss the bus when I leave home at 08:00.
 The First Conditional
 Structure
If + subordinate clause + main clause
Main clause + if + subordinate clause

If+ subj. + present simple, subj. + future simple/imperative

Subj. + future simple/imperative + if + subj. + present simple

 Uses: Outcomes likely to happen in the near future

 Samples
If I finish my work office soon, I’ll give you a call.
I’ll give you a call if I finish my work office soon.

Give me a call if you finish your work office soon.

If you finish your work office soon, give me a call.

* Instead of the future simple tense, modal verbs can be used

If I finish my work office soon, I may/might/should/can give you a call.
 The Second Conditional
 Structure
If + subordinate clause + main clause
Main clause + if + subordinate clause

If+ subj. + past simple, subj. + conditional simple

Subj. + conditional simple + if + subj. + past simple

 Uses
Outcomes unrealistic / unlikely to happen in the near future
Hypothetical situations

 Samples
If I were you, I would not change my job.
I would not change my job if I were you.

* If + clause + subject + were

 The Third Conditional
 Structure
If + subordinate clause + main clause
Main clause + if + subordinate clause

If+ subj. + past perfect, subj. + conditional perfect

Subj. + conditional perfect + if + subj. + past perfect

 Uses
To express circumstances would be different if something different had
happened

 Samples
If you had told us the meeting was at 09:00, we would have arrived on time.
We would have arrived on time if you had told us the meeting was at 09:00.
 Unless (+) = if (-)
 The First Conditional
Unless it rains, we’ll meet you for dinner tonight.
If it does not rain, we’ll meet you for dinner tonight.

 The Second Conditional

Unless I inherited lots of money, I wouldn’t travel all over the world.
If I didn’t inherit lots of money, I wouldn’t travel all over the world.

 The Third Conditional

Unless the finance manager had left the company, I wouldn’t have had any
chance for promotion.
If the finance manager hadn’t left the company, I wouldn’t have had any
chance for promotion.
 Exercises

https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/conditional-exercises.html

https://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises_list/if.htm

https://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/tests/conditional-sentences-3