V2P - Conditionals

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 2

Aims 

1) Name the three conditionals 

2) Explain when each conditional is used 

3) Use all conditionals in a running text  

Give an example of an if-sentence

Zero conditional (100% sure):

This form is used for: 

- facts /  real (factual) situations in the present

- commands / the imperative form

How to make:  use a present simple in both parts

If water freezes, it becomes ice.

If you want to be better at English, pay attention (imperative)

In this conditional, you can replace the word 'if' with 'when' without changing the meaning.

 First conditional (very likely, almost 100% sure)

The type 1 conditional is used to refer to:

- the present or future where a situation is real

- a possible condition and its probable result

How to make: use a present simple in the if-clause

and the future simple in the main clause.

Future simple: will +  infinitive (full verb)

If you are late, she will be very angry.

Second conditional (hypothetical) 

The type 2 conditional is used to refer to:

- a hypothetical condition and its probable result (aka: 

its unlikely to happen, but not impossible)

How to make: use a past simple in the if-clause

and would + infinitive in the main clause.

If I learned to play the guitar, I would be  rock star.

If I were famous, I would post on Instagram every day!

In the if-clause, were is often used instead of was

Conditionals = if-sentences

A conditional sentence exists of 2 parts: 

If it rains tomorrow, I will stay at home

• the condition : If it rains tomorrow
• the result : I will stay at home.

There are 4 different ways to construct conditional sentences in English. We will look at three of them

If I put water in the freezer, ..

1. it is going to become ice.
2. it will become ice.
3. it becomes ice.

If it rains tonight,

1. I don't go out
2. I will not go out
3. I wouldn't have gone out
4. I would go out

If Tim studies hard,

1. he would have passed his exam
2. he will pass his exam
3. he passes him exam
4. he would pass his exam

If there is an earthquake,

1. buildings will collapse
2. buildings collapse
3. buildings would collapse
4. buildings would have collapsed

......, we will miss our flight.

1. If you will be late
2. If you are late
3. If you had been late
4. If you were late

...., your mom won't buy you a present.

1. If you failed your exam
2. If you failed your exam
3. If you had failed your exam
4. If you fail your exam

You won't win the competition,

1. if you will train.
2. if you didn't train.
3. if you don't train.

1. If you stopped smoking, you ______ a lot better pretty quickly.

If you stopped smoking, you ______ a lot better pretty quickly

1. feel
2. are feeling
3. will feel
4. would feel

2. If I won the Lottery, I ______ my job. I love it too much.

If I won the lottery, I ______ my job. I love it too much.

1. would leave
2. will leave
3. wouldn't leave
4. won't leave

3. If my sister .................. (win) a trip to Greece, she ................. (take) me with her.

If my sister _______ a trip to Greece, she ______ me with her

1. won, would take
2. won’t, would take
3. won, would taken
4. won, would took

4. If Sandra ............... (buy) a helicopter,
her friends ...................... (be) happy.

If Sandra _________ a helicopter, her friends _________ (be) happy.

1. would buy, were
2. bought, wouldn’t be
3. buyed, would been
4. bought, would be

What have I learned about conditional sentences?

I know when to use the zero conditional

1. Yes, I do
2. No, I don't
3. Yes, but I'd still like to practice

I know when to use the 1st conditional

1. Yes, I do
2. No, I don't
3. Yes, but I'd still like to practice

I know when to use the 2nd conditional

1. Yes, I do
2. No, I don't
3. Yes, but I'd still like to practice some more

Follow up 

  If you answered mostly B or C, you will do the 'extra practice' exercises 

  If you answered mostly A you will do the 'extra challenge' exercises 

Extra practice 

Exercise 1

Put the sentence in the ZERO conditional. 

Type the whole sentence

If you (breathe) chlorine you (die).

If you (add) syrup to water you (make) lemonade.

Exercise 2

Put the sentences in the first conditional

Type the whole sentence

If you (go) out with your friends tonight, I (watch) the football match on TV.

I (earn) a lot of money if I (get) that job.

If she (hurry / not), we (miss) the bus.

Exercise 3

Put the sentences in the second conditional

Type the whole sentence

If he (try) harder, he (reach) his goals.

I (buy) these shoes if they (fit).

It (surprise / not) me if he (know / not) the answer.

Extra challenge

Put the sentences in the proper conditional

Type the whole sentence

If he (try) harder, he (reach) his goals.

If you (go) out with your friends tonight, I (watch) the football match on TV.

If you (switch) on the lights, you (fall/not) over the chair.

If you (add) syrup to water you (make) lemonade.