Learn if clauses and different conditionals in English along with tips and exceptions

1. Spoken English
Conditionals
By
Ash Vyas

2. Conditionals
•Conditionals are also known as 'if clauses'
•When we talk about something that might happen (in the present or future) or
might have happened but didn't (in the past)
•The conditional is made up of 2 parts:
Conditional and action
The statement with if is called conditional and the later part is known as Action
part.

3. Types of Conditionals
•Zero Conditional: (if + present simple, ... present simple)
•First Conditional: (if + present simple, ... will + infinitive)
•Second Conditional: (if + past simple, ... would + infinitive)
•Third Conditional: (if + past perfect, ... would + have + past participle)

4. Zero Conditional
Usage: a fact that is always true.
Syntax: if + present simple, present simple or present simple if present simple
Examples:
•If you touch a fire, you get hurt
•People get sick if they don't sleep well
•If you mix hydrogen and oxygen, you get water
•Snakes bite if they are scared
•If babies are hungry, they cry

5. Zero Conditional Note
This is not pure condition because it is always true so we can also use ‘when’
instead of ‘if’.
Examples:
•When you touch a fire, you get hurt
•People get sick when they don't sleep well
•When you mix hydrogen and oxygen, you get water
•Snakes bite when they are scared
•When babies are hungry, they cry

6. First Conditional
Usage: a present or future situation with high probability to happen
Syntax: if + present simple, will + infinitive or will + infinitive if + present simple
Exercise:
•If it rains, we won't go to the office.
•I'll go to the party tonight If I finish work before noon.
•If I have enough money, I'll take you to moon.
•If flight is delayed, she will be late.

7. Second Conditional
Usage: A present or future situation of low probability (possible a hypothesis)
Syntax: if + past simple, would + infinitive or would + infinitive if + past simple
Exercise:
•If I won the prize money, I would go for world tour
•If I met owner, I would discuss about it.
•She would buy the moon if she were rich.
•She would pass the exam if she ever studied.
*Always use ‘were’ with all pronouns in this conditional.

8. Third Conditional
Usage: past situation which couldn't come true (too late; zero probability)
Syntax: if + past perfect, would have + past participle or would have + past
participle if + past perfect
Exercise:
•If she had studied, she would have passed the exam.
•If he had controlled his diet, he wouldn't have felt sick.
•I wouldn't have been tired if I had gone to bed earlier.

9. Tips
1. You can use ‘would’ in Condition 0 to show politeness.
Example:
• If you follow me, I will show you your desk.
• If you would follow me, I will show you your desk.

10. Tips
2. Use 'might', 'could' to show less possibility in Conditional 2
Example:
•If I see her tomorrow, I will give this book.
(high probability)
•If I see her tomorrow, I may/might/could give this book.
(low probability that I give her book even if I meet her)

11. Tips
3. Use 'might', 'could' to show less possibility in Conditional 3
Example:
•If they had been late, I would have given them warning.
(high probability: 100% sure)
•If they had been late, I might/could have given them warning.
(moderate probability: Not 100% sure)

12. Notes
•To reflect probability, you can use might and could in conditional 1, conditional 2
and conditional 3.
•Use may only in conditional 1(It means may shouldn’t be used with conditional 2
and conditional 3)
•Avoid using 'should' instead of 'will' or 'would' in a conditional sentences.
Example:
•If I knew the president, I should would invite him to India.

13. Any Questions?
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