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Conditionals

This document discusses different types of conditionals in English: - Zero conditional expresses situations that are always or often true using the present tense in both clauses. - First conditional expresses future possibilities using the present in the if-clause and will in the result clause. - Second conditional refers to hypothetical or less probable situations using the past tense in the if-clause and would in the result clause. - Third conditional looks at what could have happened in the past using the past perfect in the if-clause and modal + perfect infinitive in the result clause. - Mixed conditional combines aspects of the second and third conditionals depending on whether the true fact is in the present or past.

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39 views2 pages

Conditionals

This document discusses different types of conditionals in English: - Zero conditional expresses situations that are always or often true using the present tense in both clauses. - First conditional expresses future possibilities using the present in the if-clause and will in the result clause. - Second conditional refers to hypothetical or less probable situations using the past tense in the if-clause and would in the result clause. - Third conditional looks at what could have happened in the past using the past perfect in the if-clause and modal + perfect infinitive in the result clause. - Mixed conditional combines aspects of the second and third conditionals depending on whether the true fact is in the present or past.

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konspy
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CONDITIONALS

When using a conditional structure, we have an if clause (uncertain events


or situations or a condition so that something can happen) and a main clause or
result clause. The if clause can be at the beginning or at the end of the
sentence. When it comes at the beginning, both clauses are separated by a comma.
Zero Conditional
It expresses situations which are always/often true (eg. scientific facts) or to
give instructions.
If you heat ice, it melts.
What do you do if you have a headache?
In this kind of conditionals, if can be changed into when or whenever.
Form: The tenses used in both, conditional clause and main clause (result
clause), is the present (simple, continuous or perfect).
First Conditional
It expresses a future possibility. It is impossible to substitute if by when
without changing the meaning of the sentence (when expresses future certainty
time clauses).
If I meet Michael, I will ask him. Conditional clause (it may happen or not)
When I meet Michael, I will ask him. Time clause (it is certain that it is going to
happen).
Form: present in the if clause and future (will) in the result clause.
Second Conditional
It refers to a hypothetical situation which is perhaps probable in some
situations (theoretical, fantasy, advice), but less possible than the 1 st conditional.
The possibility of using 1st or 2nd conditional sometimes depends on the mentality of
the speaker.
If I were you, I would ask the bus company to find your shopping.
were is here a subjunctive. It is mainly used with people but not with
things.
Form: simple past in the If clause and would/could (would be able to) in
the result clause.
Third conditional
The real fact is in the past. This conditional looks at what could have
happened if the condition had been different.
If he hadnt been so tired, he wouldnt have fallen asleep.
Facts: he was tired he fell asleep.
If she had had the money, she would have traveled around the world.
Facts: she didnt have the money she didnt traveled

If I hadnt studied education, I would have studied medicine.


Facts: I studied education I didnt studied medicine
Form: past perfect in the if clause and modal + perfect infinitive in the
result clause.
Mixed Conditional
It is a mixture between the 2nd and the 3rd conditionals.
If she hadnt been invited, she wouldnt be here now.
She was invited she is here now. The 3 rd cond. characteristics are in the
conditional clause and the 2nd cond. characteristics are in the result clause.
If he werent an argumentative man, they wouldnt have fallen out.
he is an argumentative man 2nd cond. (present)
they fell out 3rd cond. (past)
There is a decision or a fact that happened in the past but with present
repercussions and now we look at the opposite possibility. The true fact is in the
present (2nd cond.) and we look at the possibility of a change in the past (3 rd cond.)
Form:
2-3: Cond. clause past result clause modal + perfect tense
Function: it looks at the opposite of the fact which is always true and its
implications in the past.
If they didnt enjoyed studying, they wouldnt have come to this school
(2nd)
3-2: Cond. clause past perfect

(3rd)
result clause mod + inf

Function: to consider the result of a past action by looking at the opposite


fact.
If he hadnt crashed his car, he wouldnt be in hospital now
(3rd)

(2nd)

Variations:
Supposing that instead of if

Inversion: Had our ancestors been born now


different modals (might, could)
unless

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