2. Table of contens
o Zero conditional
o The first conditonal
o Second conditional
o Third conditional
o Test your grammar here
Zero conditional
When we talk about things that are generally or always true, we can use:
If/When/Unless plus a present form PLUS present simple or imperative
• If he gets there before me, ask him to wait.
• When you fly budget airline, you have to pay for your drinks and snacks.
• Unless you need more space, a small car is big enough for one person.
(Note that we are not talking about a specific event but something which is generally true).
In the condition clause, we can use a variety of present forms. In the result clause, there can
only be the present simple or imperative.
If you visit London, go on the London Eye.
If unemployment is rising, people tend to stay in their present jobs.
If you've done that, go and have a coffee.
When you go on holiday, take plenty ofsun cream. It'll be very hot.
When I'm concentrating, please don't make so much noise.
When I've finished an article, I always ask Kate to read it through.
Notice that 'unless' means the same as 'ifnot'.
• Unless he asks you politely, refuse to do any more work on the project.
• Unless prices are rising, it's not a good investment.
• Unless you've been there yourself, you don't really understand howfantastic it is.
The first conditional
› Nature: Open condition, what is said in the condition is possible.
3. › Time: This condition refers either to present or to future time.
› We use the First Conditional to talk about future events that are likely to happen.
eg:
If he is late, we will have to go without him
If my mother knows about this, we are in serious trouble.
If he's feeling better, he'll come.
If she hasn't heard the bad news yet,I'll tell her.
If I see him, I'm going to tell him exactly howangry I am.
If we don't get the contract, we'll have wasted a lot oftime and money.
If you go to NewYork, you must have the cheesecake in Lindy's.
If he comes, you can get a lift home with him.
Second conditional
› Nature: unreal (impossible) or improbable situations.
› Time: present;the TENSE is past,but we are talking about the present,now.
eg:
If I were you, I would tell my father.
If I had the chance to do it again, I would do it differently.
If we met up for lunch, we could go to that newrestaurant.
If I spoke to him directly, I might be able to persuade him.
If she were coming,she would be here by now.
If they were thinking ofselling, I would want to buy.
If I got promoted, I'd throwa big party.
What would I do without you? ("if you weren't here")
Where would I get one at this time ofnight? ("ifI wanted one")
He wouldn't agree. ("ifI asked him")
Compare: If I become president, I will change the social security system. (Said by a
presidential candidate)
If I became president, I would change the social security system. (Said by a schoolboy:
improbable)
If we win this match, we are qualified for the semifinals.
If I won a million pounds, I would stop teaching. (improbable)
Third conditional
4. › Nature: unreal , We can use the Third Conditional to talk about 'impossible'
conditions, impossible because they are in the past and we cannot change what has
happened.
› Time: Past (so we are talking about a situation that was not so in the past.)
e.g. If you had warned me, I would not have told your father about that party.(But
you didn't, and I have).
eg:
If I had seen him at the meeting, I would have asked him. (But he wasn't there so I
didn't.)
If I had seen him at the meeting, I could have asked him. ( But he wasn't there so it
wasn't possible.)
If I had seen him at the meeting, I might have asked him. (But I'm not sure.
Perhaps if the opportunity had arisen.)
If I had paid more attention in class,I would have understood the lesson.
I'd have done it. ("ifyou had asked me but you didn't.")
I wouldn't have said that. ("if I'd been there.")
He wouldn't have let him getaway with that. ("if he had tried that with me.")
Remember!
1. The conditional construction does not normally use will or would in if-clauses.
EXCEPTION: If will or would express willingness, as in requests, they can be used in if-
clauses.
e.g.
If you will come this way, the manager will see you now.
I would be grateful if you would give me a little help.
(= ± please, come this way; please, give me...)
2. For the second conditional,were replaces was :
If I were a rich man...
3.After if, we can either use "some(-one, -where...)" or "any(-one, -where...).
If I have some spare time next weekend....or :
If I have any spare time...
4. Instead ofif not, we can use unless.
e.g.
I'll be back tomorrowunless there is a plane strike.
He'll accept the job unless the salary is too low.
5. 5. There is a "mixed type" as well, for the present results of an unreal condition in the
past:
If + Past Perfect - would + inf.
e.g.
If you had warned me [then], I would not be in prison [now].
Conditional clause Main clause
1. If + Present Tense will + inf / present tense / imperative
a. If you help me with the dishes (if + pres),
I will help you with your homework. (will + inf)
b. If the sum of the digits of a number is divisible by three,
the number is divisible by three (Pres. tense)
c. If you see MrFox tonight, tell him I am ill. (imperative).
2. If + Past Tense would + inf
3. If + Past Perfect Tense would have + past participle
We do not normally use will or would in the conditional clause,
only in the main clause.
Test your grammar skill here
1. My younger brother thinks that everybody can become a teacher.He often asks himself .
“What …. if I were a teacher?
A. do I do
B. will I do
C. would I do
D. am I doing
E. am I going to do
2. Had I realized that Tony was a bad driver. I …. my car.
6. A. would not lend him
B. did not lend him
C. will not lend him
D. would not have lent him
E. had not had
3. If she works harder, she ….. her paper in time.
A. will finish
B. would finish
C. has finished
D. will be finishing
E. will have finished
4. If my car were in the better condition, I would make a long trip now.
It may be concluded that I ….
A. have to stay at home
B. are enjoying the trip
C. prefer staying at home
D. enjoyed the trip
E. stayed at home
5. If there had been traffic lights at this intersection, there would not have been so many
accident. we may conclude that
A. Drivers were always careful at this intersection
B. despite the traffic lights accident happen
C. traffic lights often doesn’t work
D. We didn’t find traffic light at this intersection
E. There are many traffic accident
6.If his mother had not been ill, Tony would have joined the study tour to Jakarta.
We conclude that Tony …..
A. has just come back from the study tour
B. went to Jakarta for Study tour
C. left his sick mother at home
D. refused to join the study tour to Jakarta
E. went to jakarta after her mother had recovered
7. If she had taken the bus, she ….. not have arrived on time.
a. Can c. was
b. Would d. could
7. 8. If he ……..… well, he would win the game
A. play C. playing
B. played D. Plays
9. You wouldn’t pass the examination unless
you ……..… hard
A. studiying C.study
B. studied D. Studite
10. She ……..… type the letter if she had more
time
A. would C. can
B. could D. Was
