Conditionals

• Engels

Kevser Kaplan & Eske van Liempt

Zero conditional

First conditional

If you heat ice, it melts

If I find her address, I will send her an invitation

When I get up late, I miss my bus

When do you use the zero conditional?

1. when it is the present simple
2. for facts and general truths
3. for possible or probable situations

When do you use the first conditional?

1. for possible or probable situations
2. for opinions
3. with the present simple

The second conditional

- You use the second conditional for improbable situations. It is used to express that it is unlikely that the condition will be fulfilled. 

- In this type of conditional sentence the past simple is used in the conditional clause

and would + infinitive is used in the result clause.

conditional clause: past simple

result clause: would + infinitive

-Instead of 'would' you can also use could/might in the result clause:

(If I found her address, I could/might send her an invitation)

- 'If' can be followed by were or was:

(If I were/was a millionaire, I would...)

!!! In the expression 'If I were you' you use 'were' instead of 'was'

some more examples

1. They would go on a holiday if they could afford it

2. If I were rich, I would spend all my time travelling

The third conditional

- The third conditional: for situations in the past that did not happen. It is often used to express criticism or regret.

- In this type of conditional sentence the past perfect is used in the conditional clause and would have + past participle is used in the result clause

conditional clause: past perfect

result clause: would have + past participle

-Instead of 'would' you can also use could have/might have in the result clause

(If I had found her address, I could have/might have sent her an invitation)

some more examples

1. If you had worked harder, you would have passed your exam

2. If she had driven more carefully, she wouldn't have caused an accident

Summary of conditional structures

• Zero conditional: present simple + present simple
• First conditional: present simple, will + infinitive 
• Second conditional: past simple, would + infinitive
• Third conditional: past perfect, would have + infinitive

When do you use the second conditional?

When do you use the third conditional?

The exercises will be on the next slide

you will make conditional sentences

(first conditional)
If they (accept) our offer, we (sign) the contract next week

(second conditional)
There (be) fewer accidents if everyone (drive) more carefully

(third conditional)
If they (phone) the emergency number, he (not die)

(zero conditional)
When you (heat) iron, it (expand)