Conditional clauses
There are four conditional clauses:
1. The zero conditional clause
2. The first conditional clause
3. The second conditional clause
4. The third conditional clause
The zero conditional
We can make a zero conditional sentence with two present simple verbs (one in the
‘if’ clause and one in the ‘main’ clause). This zero conditional sentences contain
universal truths, scientific facts and general habits.
Structure:
If + S + verb(es/s),……… S + Verb(es/s) + …… or vice versa.
Ex.
a) If you touch a fire, you get burned.
b) Peopledie if they do not eat.
c) If water reaches 100 degrees, it boils.
d) If I am tired, I go to bed early.
e) If it does not rainfor a long time, the earth gets very dry.
The First Conditional
We use the first conditional to talk about a realistic situation in the present or future.
Structure:
If +S + verb (es/s) + ….. S + will/can/must/imperative form + verb + …… Or vice
versa
Ex.
a) If you are free later, we can go for a walk.
b) If they are hungry, I will make some sandwiches.
c) If you’re notback by 5pm, give me a ring.
d) If he studies hard, he’ll dowell in the exam.
e) If we arrivelate, we must get a taxi.
The Second conditional
We use the second conditional to talk about improbable or impossible situations in
the present or future.
Structure:
If + S + past tense verb (V2) + ……. S + would / could + verb + …… Or vice versa
Ex.
a) If I had more time, I would exercise more. (But I don’t have more time so I don’t.)
b) If I were rich, I would spend all my time travelling. (But I’m not rich so I can’t.)
c) If she saw a snake, she would be terrified.
d) What would you do if you were offered a job in Canada?
e) You wouldn’t have to walk everywhere if you bought a bike.
The Third conditional
We use the third conditional to talk about impossible situations, as in the second
conditional, in the past. We often use the third conditional to describe regrets.
Structure:
If + S + past perfect tense + ……
Or vice versa.
S + would have + V3 / could have + V3 + ….
Ex.
a) If we had left earlier, we would have arrived on time.
b) If you hadn’t forgottenher birthday, she wouldn’t have been upset.
c) If they had booked earlier, they could have found better seats.
d) If I hadn’t learnt English, I wouldn’t have got this job.
e) What would you have studied if you hadn’t done engineering?