ConditionalsSarah Morris

What is a conditional? A conditional sentence is a sentence

containing the word if. Something will happen if a condition is

met There are different types of conditionals

– we are talking about 3 types today

A Conditional sentence is one in which one thing depends on another.

They are used to make predictions or explore possibilities.

They are concerned with things that will might should or could happen.

If

Conditional sentences often contain the connective

ifor sometimesunlessproviding/providedas long aswhen

Conditional sentences can also talk about imaginary situations - what might have been.

I would help you if I could (but I can’t). What would you do if you were in my place? If the weather had been sunny we could have

gone to the beach.

Modal VerbsCertain verbs are often used in

conditional sentences. These verbs are called modal verbs.They are usually used with other

verbs, not on their own.

must ought

can could

may might

will would

shall should

ZERO CONDITIONAL

If you don’t water flowers, they die.

If you have a headache, stop watching TV.

With zero conditional

we express a general truth or we give advice.

If clause:

PRESENT SIMPLE

Main clause:

PRESENT SIMPLE or

IMPERATIVE/ORDER

FIRST CONDITIONALIf the weather is nice, we will go for a walk.

If you don’t apologize, she will never trust you again.

The first conditional refers to the present and future.

It expresses a possible condition and

its probable result in the future.

If clause:

PRESENT SIMPLE

Main clause:

FUTURE SIMPLE

Jack wants to buy a house but he can’t do this because he doesn’t have any money.

If I had a lot of money,

I would buy a big house.

SECOND CONDITIONAL

Susan wants to call Paul but she can’t do this because she doesn’t know his number.

If I knew his number,

I would call him.

SECOND CONDITIONAL

If I had a lot of money, I would buy a big house.

If I knew his number, I would call him.

if-clause:PAST TENSE SIMPLE main clause:

PRESENT CONDITIONAL would + infinitive

SECOND CONDITIONAL

The second conditional refers to the present and future.

It expresses an unreal situation and its probable result.

The situation or condition is improbable, impossible,

imaginary, or contrary to known facts.

Second Conditional: Review

FORM [If ... Simple Past ..., ... would + base form of verb ...] [... would + base form of verb ... if ... Simple Past ...]

USE The Present Unreal Conditional is used to talk about what you

would generally do in imaginary situations. Examples:

If I owned a car, I would drive to work. But I don't own a car. She would travel around the world if she had more money. But

she doesn't have much money. I would read more if I didn't watch so much TV. Mary would move to Japan if she spoke Japanese. If they worked harder, they would earn more money. A: What would you do if you won the lottery?

B: I would buy a house. A: Where would you live if you moved to the U.S.?

B: I would live in Seattle.

The second conditionalIf + past simple tense +

would / could/ might + infinitive

A speaker or writer responds to a possible situation by talking about a possible

outcome. The condition must come true for the present or future to be different.

If I knew what you wanted, maybe I could help you. (I don’t know what you want. You must tell me.)

I would do a computer course if I had the time. (I don’t have the time.)

If I were you, I would tell him the truth.or: If I was you… (I am not you.)

Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tense.1. If I found $100 in the street, I ___ it.

(keep)2. If she sold her car, she ___ much money

for it. (not / get)3. Many people would be out of work if that

factory ___ down. (close)4. What would happen if you ___ to work

tomorrow? (not / go)5. They might be angry if I ___ them. (not /

visit)6. If I was offered the job, I think I ___ it.

(take)

1. If I found $100 in the street, I would keep it.

2. If she sold her car, she wouldn’t get much money for it.

3. Many people would be out of work if that factory closed down.

4. What would happen if you didn’t go to work tomorrow? (not / go)

5. They might be angry if I didn’t visit them. 6. If I was offered the job, I think I would

take it. (take)

Suggest endings for these conditional sentences.If I always do my homework I should…

If my mom wins the lottery we might…

If I were Madonna I would…

If I were David Beckham I could...

FIRST v. SECOND CONDITIONAL

THE DIFFERENCE: FIRST and SECOND CONDITIONALBoth conditionals refer to the present and future.

The difference is about probability, not time.First conditional: real and possible situations

Second conditional: unlikely to happen

If John runs fast, he will win the race.

If John ran fast, he would win the race.

This is still possible to happen.

This is unlikely to happen because John doesn’t run fast.

Your Assignment You are going to write about a conditional

paragraph about one of these topics: If you could change 3 things about

yourself, what would you change and why? If you had a time machine, where would

you go and why? Give 3 reasons. If you were given one million dollars,

what would you buy and why? Give 3 reasons

If you were given three wishes, what would you wish for and why?

In this paper you must: Have 10-12 sentences Include at least 2 conditionals Have a strong thesis statement

Remember: This sentence tells me exactly what you are going to talk about in your paragraph.

It has 2 parts- 1) Main idea 2) 3 reasons

Example: I would ___________ because of _______, _________, and ____________.

Brainstorming!Reason

1

• Support

Reason 2

• Support

• Support

Reason 3

• Support

• Support

Topic