The Conditionals
Zero, First, Second and Third
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Zero
Conditional
1. Zero conditional
The zero conditional is used to talk about
things that are certain, or always true.
It is a real condition that has
an inevitable result.
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It is used for scientific facts or general truths.
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Zero Conditional
Structure & Examples
The structure of the zero conditional is:
VERB FORM IN THE 'IF CLAUSE'
VERB FORM IN THE 'RESULT
CLAUSE'
If + present simple
present simple
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Zero
Conditional
The message here is that if something happens there
will always be a guaranteed consequence.
▪ If you stand out in the rain, you’ll get wet.
▪ If you eat too much, you’ll put on weight.
▪ If you touch a fire…well, then you’re asking for it.
'When’ instead of ‘if’
We can also use the word when instead of if and the meaning
stays the same.
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First Conditional
We use this to talk about things in the future that are likely to
happen or have a real possibility of happening.
Structure & Examples
The structure of the first conditional is:
VERB FORM IN THE 'IF CLAUSE'
VERB FORM IN THE 'RESULT
CLAUSE'
If + present tense
will/won’t + infinitive
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First Conditional
Modal verbs or imperatives
We can use modal verbs instead of will/won’t:
May, might, shall, should, could or an imperative in the main
clause. This changes the meaning, or the likelihood of the result.
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Sample Footer Text
Bruno Mars - First Conditional
1. If you ever find yourself stuck in the middle of the sea, I’ll sail the world to find
you.
2. If you ever find yourself lost in the dark and you can’t see, I’ll be the light to guide
you
3. And I know when I need it, I can count on you like four, three, two, And you’ll be
there.
4. If you tossin’ and you’re turnin’ and you just can’t fall asleep, I’ll sing a song beside
you.
5. And if you ever forget how much you really mean to me, Every day I will remind
you.
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Bruno Mars
6. We’ll find out what we’re made of, when we are called to help our friends in need.
7. You’ll always have my shoulder when you cry.
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second Conditional
Whereas the zero and first conditionals describe a real or possible situation, the
second and third are imaginary or hypothetical situations.
Structure & Examples
The second conditional refers to the present or the future, and is used to talk about
anything unlikely to happen.
Imagine meeting Lionel Messi, or finding a million dollars on the floor. These things
might not have happened to you, but you sure can dream!
VERB FORM IN THE 'RESULT
CLAUSE'
If + past simple
would/wouldn’t +
infinitive
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VERB FORM IN THE 'IF CLAUSE'
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second Conditional
Were’ instead of ‘was’
When there is the verb to be in the if clause, we can change it
from was to were.
This is because we are talking about hypothetical situations, so
we’re changing the mood of the verb from indicative to
subjunctive.
Both options are correct, but were is often preferred.
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Second Conditional
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third Conditional
Structure & Examples
We use this structure to talk about an imagined past.
Well, at least speculate how things could have been different.
VERB FORM IN THE 'RESULT
CLAUSE'
If + past perfect
would/wouldn’t + have +
past participle
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Adele
VERB FORM IN THE 'IF CLAUSE'
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Mixed Conditional
Structure & Examples
And just when you thought the fun was about to end,
we have another surprise conditional for you…the
mixed conditional.
The most common is to mix the third and the second
to create a present result of a past conditional.
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These sentences express that if something had been
different in the past, something would be different now
in the present.
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Sample Footer Text
Mixed Conditional
These sentences express that if something had been
different in the past, something would be different now
in the present.
VERB FORM IN THE 'IF CLAUSE'
VERB FORM IN THE 'RESULT
CLAUSE'
If + past perfect
would/wouldn’t +
infinitive
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