This document discusses the four main types of conditionals used in English: 1) First conditional deals with real possibilities involving the future using "if + present + future" form. 2) Second conditional involves not real possibilities using "if + past + would" form, like fantasizing. 3) Third conditional refers to impossible past events using "if + past perfect + would have" form. 4) Zero conditional always states scientific facts using simple present tense like "if + present, + present" form.

1. IF CONDITIONALS
ESL LEARNERS

2. Defining Conditionals
• Conditionals are sentence structures that
explain a particular situation or circumstance
and its consequences. If this happens, then
that happens. Conditionals are commonly
referred to as "if sentence structures" because
they often contain the word "if.“

3. There are four main conditionals that are commonly used
in the English language
• first conditional
• second conditional
• third conditional and
• zero conditional.

4. First Conditional: Daily Considerations
• The first conditional deals with issues that
have a real possibility of occurring.
• This conditional typically deals with future,
real world events that are pondered on a daily
basis.
• When people make plans and suggest back
up plans, they are utilizing the first
conditional.

5. 1st
Conditional Examples
• If I can get the time off of work, then I will
come visit you in Baton Rouge.
• If we burn the dinner, we may have to order
pizza.
• I can work from home, if my Internet
connection gets fixed.
• If it rains tomorrow, I shall go to the movies.

6. 1st
Conditional FORM
• IF + Present simple + future simple
ex. If it rains tomorrow, I will not go to school.
or
ex. I will not go to school if it rains tomorrow.

7. Second Conditional: Not Real
Possibilities
• The second conditional is a bit more tricky. In some ways it is similar to
the first conditional. It utilizes the same if/then structure, but instead of
using the words will, shall, can, or may, the second conditional uses
would, could, or might.
• The most significant difference between the second conditional and the
first conditional, however, is that the second conditional deals with events
that are not real possibilities.
• In many cases, the events could happen; they are not physical
impossibilities. However, they are not tangible events that are certain to
impact daily life.
• In many respects, the second conditional is what English speakers use
when they are dreaming about something or fantasizing about a
particular scenario.

8. 2nd
Conditional Examples
• If I had a million dollars, I might open an
animal sanctuary.
• If we lived in Spain, we would enjoy the
siestas.
• If I became president, I could do away with
the penny.

9. 2nd
Conditional Form
• IF + past simple + would + base form of the verb
ex. If were a bird, I would fly around the world.
Or
I would fly around the world if I were a bird.

10. Third Conditional: In the Past
• The third conditional deals with the past.
Specifically, the third conditional talks
about events in the past and ponders the
effects of those events not happening.
• Because we can't go back in time, the third
conditional deals with events that have no
possibility of happening. The third conditional
uses the words would have to convey these
impossible events.

11. 3rd
Conditional Examples
• If Bobby Kennedy hadn't been assassinated,
he would have made a great president.
• If I had bet on the long shot, I would have
made a killing.
• If I had married her when I had the chance, I
would have been happy.

12. 3rd
Conditional Form
• IF+ past perfect + would have + past participle
ex. If I had seen him, I would have told him the
truth.
Or
I would have told him the truth if I had seen him

13. Zero Conditional: Always True
• The zero conditional deals with issues that are
always true. They can often be thought of as
stating a scientific fact.

14. Zero Conditional Examples
• If you don't ever water your plants, they die.
• If you jump in a lake, you get wet.
• If it gets below freezing, water turns into ice.
• If you stick your hand in a fire, it burns.

15. References
• http://esl.yourdictionary.com/lesson-plans/ESL-Ga