| TYPE | EXAMPLE | USE | CONSTRUCTION |
|
zero conditional
|
· when / whenever / If you heat ice, it melts.
|
Used to describe something which is generally true or which usually happens.
|
If + present simple,
present simple or imperative |
| If: when / whenever |
|
first conditional
|
· If it’s sunny, we’ll go for a walk
· We’ll have an accident if you don’t drive more carefully.
|
Used to describe a possible situation in the future and its result. |
If + present simple,
will + infinitive |
| If : Unless unless = if…not
Will : may / can / should / could / imperative |
|
second conditional
|
· If I had enough money, I’d travel the world.
· I’d go to see a doctor if I were you.
|
Used to describe a hypothetical situation in the present or in the future.
Something that might not happen or might not be true.
Advice.
|
If + past simple,
would + infinitive |
|
third conditional
|
· If I’d known you were in hospital, I would have visited you. |
Used to talk about an imaginary or unlikely situation in the past and to describe its result.
|
If + past perfect,
would + have + past participle
|
Practice tasks
A. Match the beginnings and endings of the following sentences.
- You’ll need a visa
- If he hadn’t stopped the car in time,
- If they leave tomorrow,
- They would find it hard to replace her
- If the police didn’t fine people for speeding,
- If you have trouble getting a taxi,
- If the developers had solved that software problem sooner,
- Your father would be so proud,
- if he knew how successful you are now.
- the business would have made a lot more profit last year.
- most of us would drive far too fast.
- if you want to travel to India.
- if she decided to leave the company.
- there would have been a terrible accident.
- we’ll come and pick you up.
- they’ll get there by Friday.
B. Write the following sentences using the appropriate conditional form, so that the second sentence has a similar meaning to the first.
- John didn’t remind me about the meeting, which is why I didn’t go.
If John __________________________________________________________________________________
2. The neighbours have offered a reward to anyone who finds their missing cat.
If you __________________________________________________________________________________
3. Michael wants to move to California, but he can’t go anywhere until he finishes his studies.
When Michael ___________________________________________________________________________
4. We didn’t pay them on time because they delivered the wrong goods.
If they __________________________________________________________________________________
5. Sara is a talented tennis player but she doesn’t practise enough to truly improve her game.
If Sara __________________________________________________________________________________
6. The burglar got past the security guard while he was looking in the other direction.
If the security guard __________________________________________________________________________
7. Buying a new house depends on a lot of things but particularly on the amount of overtime I do.
If I __________________________________________________________________________________
8. A Chinese scientist won the award because her research paper was better than ours.
If our research paper __________________________________________________________________________
9. Tom intends to apply for the job but the boss thinks he is not suitable, so he will not hire him.
If Tom __________________________________________________________________________________
C. Complete the sentences with a partner.
Likely future – 1st conditional If + present simple (condition), will future or imperative (result)
- If it rains on Saturday,…….
- If I decide to go out this weekend,…….
- People will start saving water if…….
- If I do my English homework,…….
- I’ll enjoy my summer holiday if…….
- The world population will continue to increase if…….
Unlikely future or imaginary present/future – 2nd conditional
If + past simple condition), would / could / might + infinitive (result)
If I won a million Swiss francs,…….
If I could have any job in the world,…….
Everybody would be happier if…….
If I emigrated,…….
If you asked me to cook a meal,…….
If I lost everything on my computer,…….
I might study more if…….
The developed world could help Africa……
-
Adapted from The Language of Business. Nick Brieger/Simon Sweeney. Prentice-Hall