4

English Classes
Intermediate - Advanced Level
CONDITIONALS: WHAT ARE THEY?
IF… (IF CLAUSE)

● In English, there are 4 conditionals: I … (MAIN CLAUSE)

Zero, First, Second, and Third.

● Purpose: conditionals are used to

express that a particular situation may
occur if another particular thing
happens first.

● In terms of grammar, a conditional is a

sentence divided in two clauses (mini
sentence)

● In each type of conditional we use the

word “IF” (si condicional)
SECOND CONDITIONAL IF I WON THE LOTTERY (IF
CLAUSE)
I WOULD TRAVEL AROUND THE
● We use the second conditional to talk about WORLD (MAIN CLAUSE)
things in the future or present that are
probably not going to be true. These If I won the lottery, I would
situations are impossible, imaginary, or travel around the world.
hypothetical.

SECOND CONDITIONAL VS FIRST CONDITIONAL

● The second conditional is much more

unlikely to happen whereas when we use the
first conditional is because the situation can
happen.

Ex: If I had enough money, I would buy a huge

house. (I’m probably not going to have this much
money. It’s just a dream)
Ex: If I have enough money, I will buy new shoes.
(Much more likely to happen)
SECOND CONDITIONAL GRAMMATICAL STRUCTURE

If + S + past simple, S + would + verb + C

If I were you, I wouldn’t date that man - If he were taller, she would like him.

I wouldn’t date that man if I were you - She would like him if he were taller.
THIRD CONDITIONAL IF I HAD GONE TO BED EARLIER
(IF CLAUSE)
I WOULDN’T HAVE BEEN SO
TIRED (MAIN CLAUSE)

If I had gone to bed earlier, I

● We use the third conditional to talk about wouldn’t have been so tired.
something in the past that didn’t happen.
This is the way we imagine how things could
have been different in the past.

Ex: If I had studied, I wouldn’t have failed the

exam.
Ex: If I had arrived on time, I would have gotten the
job.
THIRD CONDITIONAL GRAMMATICAL STRUCTURE

If + S + past perfect, S + would + have + past participle verb

If she had been more careful, she wouldn’t have had a car accident.

She wouldn’t have had a car accident if she had been more careful.
REVIEW CONDITIONALS