Unit 5 – Ideas

CONDITIONALS
Type When in
time
Reason for If This is the condition result /consequence / effect
usage (if clause) (main clause)
Verb tense: Verb tense:
Zero conditional
Always SIMPLE PRESENT/CONTINUOUS SIMPLE PRESENT
‘0’ sentences express
general truths—
If  you heat ice It melts and turns into water.
 I play tennis with John I always win.
situations in which I never answer the phone.
one thing always  I am studying
causes another
Verb tense: Verb tense:
First conditional
SIMPLE PRESENT SIMPLE FUTURE (WILL + base verb of verb) or
Present sentences are used MODAL + BASE FORM
‘1’ / to express I will/shall call the police.
future situations in which
If  you don’t leave
The match will be cancelled.
 it rains tomorrow
the outcome is You should call the doctor.
 you think she is ill
likely (but not
 he is interested in the He might ask us to do a demonstration.
guaranteed) to idea
happen in the  you want to lose weight You must/should exercise more.
future.  you see Mary Could you ask her to call me?

Verb tense: Verb tense:

‘ Second conditional
SIMPLE PAST MODAL Verb (usually would)+BASE FORM OF
‘2’ Present/ sentences are
future useful for
If VERB
 I had time
expressing I would call Mary.
 John (BE) were here
outcomes that are He would help us.
 I (BE) were you I would tell him the truth.
completely
 he had a work permit He could get a job here.
unrealistic or will
 I knew Mary’s number I could phone and ask her to come.
not likely happen in
the future
Note: In Type “2” when using Verb to Be with the If Clause we use Were NOT Was with He,She &
it.
Type When in
time
Reason for if This is the condition result /consequence / effect
usage (if clause) (main clause)
Verb tense: Verb tense:

PAST PERFECT SIMPLE/CONTINUOUS MODAL Verb(usually would) + have + Past

Past Third conditional Participle of the Verb.
‘3’ sentences are used  I’d known about your party I would have come.
to explain that If  we hadn’t eaten so much We wouldn’t have been so ill.
present  John had found her earlier He could have saved her life.(ability)
circumstances  John had found her earlier He might have saved her life.(possibility)
 I hadn’t been driving so I wouldn’t have had the accident.
would be different
fast I would (certainty) / could (probability) /
if something I hadn’t been wearing a
 might (possibility) have been seriously
different had seatbelt injured when I crashed into the wall.
happened in the
past