CONDITIONAL

First conditional.

Use If + the present simple (for example: If it rains…) to talk about things in the futurewhich can happen or which are possible. Then use the future (will) for the result (forexample… we will get wet). In other words, “if A happens, B will happen”.

In the example: If it rains, we will get wet, it is possible or probable that it will rain. Wewill get wet will be the result.

More examples:

If you lend me some money, I’ll buy you a drink.If you hit me, I’ll hit you.If I marry, I won’t stop work.If you go to England, you’ll learn a lot of English.

You can also start the sentence with “B will happen” and follow with “if A happens”.The meaning of the sentence is the same. So, for Example, these two examples mean thesame thing:

We’ll get wet if it rains.

If it rains we’ll get wet.

More examples:

I’ll wash the dishes if you dry them.I’ll come in if the water’s not too cold.You’ll get square eyes if you watch television all day.

In all these examples, it is the part of the sentence after if (the if clause) which tells youwhat can happen or what is possible (“if A happens…”). The other part of the sentenceis the result (“… B will happen”).

Second conditional.

Use if + the past simple (If you wore glasses…) to talk about things which are possiblebut not very probable. Then use would + a main verb for the result (… you’d seebetter). In other words, “if A happened, B would happen”.

More examples:

If you went to England for a year, you’d learn a lot of English.If he won lot of money, he’d travel round the world.

In these two examples it is not probable that the other person will go to England for ayear or win a lot of money.

You can also use if + the past simple to talk about things which are impossible.Examples:

If you were taller, I would dance with you.If I were younger, I’d show them how to play.If I were you, I’d see a doctor.

In these examples it is impossible for the boy to be taller, for the man to be younger, orfor “I “to be” you”. Notice that you can use either was or were after the 1st and 3rd

persons singular in the if clause.

In the same way as with the first conditional you can start the sentence with “B wouldhappen” and following it with “if A happened”. The meaning of the sentence is thesame.

So, for example, these two sentences mean the same:

If you were taller, I’d dance with you.

I’d dance with you if you were taller.

Remember this:

First conditionalProbable situation in the future ResultIf + present simple Future with willIf A happens… B will happenIf it rains we will get wet.

Second conditionalPossible but not very probable situation in the present or future ResultIf + past simple would + main verbIf A happened B would happenIf you were taller I would dance with you.

EXERCISES

Test A

Complete the news report about protest against a new road. Put in the correct form ofthe verbs. Sometimes you need will or would.

Yesterday protesters managed to hold up work on the Oldbury bypass. Protest leaderAlison Compton defended the action by members of the Green World group. “If wedon’t protest, soon there’ll be (there / be) no countryside left,” she told reporters. Thebypass is now well behind schedule, and if the protesters had not held up the work sooften, (1) ………………………. (it / open) two months ago. “If these fields (2) ………………………. (disappear), we’ll never see them again,” said Ms. Compton. “Whycan’t we use public transport? If more people (3) ………………………. (travel) onbuses and trains, we wouldn’t need new roads. If the motor car had never existed, theworld (4) ………………………. (be) a more pleasant place today.”But many people in Oldbury want their new bypass. “If (5) ………………………. (they/ not build) it soon, the traffic jams in the town will get worse,” said Asif Mohammed,whose house is beside the busy A34. “We just can’t leave things as they are. If thingsremained the same, people’s health (6) ………………………. (suffer) even more fromall the pollution here. It’s terrible. If we don't get the traffic out of the town, (7) ………………………. (I / go) mad. If (8) ………………………. (I / know) earlier how badthis problem would get, (9) ………………………. (I / move) out years ago. But now ithas become impossible to sell this house because of the traffic. The government waitedtoo long. If (10) ………………………. (they / do) something sooner, there would beless traffic today.” And the protest is making the new road even more expensive. “If thisgoes on, (11) ………………………. (there / not / be) enough money left to finish theroad, says the Transport Minister.

Test BLook at the answers below and write the correct answer in each space. A: There’s always something going wrong with this car. B: If you had any sense, you’d have sold it long ago.

a) be selling b) have sold c) sell d) sold

1 A: It’s a pity the lake wasn’t frozen yesterday. B: Yes, it is. If it …………………… frozen, we could have gone skating.

a) had been b) was c) would be d) would have been

2 A: Haven’t you got enough money for a holiday? B: Oh yes. I’ve got some saved up …………………… I suddenly need it.

a) if b) in case c) that d) unless

3 A: What are you going to do next year? B: I wish I …………………… the answer to that question.

a) knew b) know c) could know d) would know

4 A: These figures are too complicated to work out in your head. B: Yes, if …………………… we had a calculator.

a) better b) only c) really d) that

5 A: What are you doing later this afternoon? B: Oh, …………………… the game finishes, I’ll go home, I expect.

a) if b) in case c) unless d) when

6 A: Do you think I should take the job? B: You shouldn’t do anything …………………… you think it’s the right thing todo.

a) if b) in case c) unless d) when

Test CWrite a second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first. Begin with If…

I haven’t got a key, so I can’t get in.If I had a key, I could get in.

1 You talk about football and I’m going to be very bored.……………………………………………………………………………………

2 The baby didn’t cry, so we had a good sleep.…………………………………………………………………………………....

3 You may want a chat, so just give me a ring.……………………………………………………………………………………

4 Nigel hasn’t got satellite TV, so he can’t watch the game.……………………………………………………………………………………

5 You go away and I’ll miss you.…………………………………………………………………………………....

6 I’m not rich or I’d have given up working long ago.……………………………………………………………………………………

7 We should have bought that picture five years ago because it would be quitevaluable now.

…………………………………………………………………………………… 8 Throw a stone into water and it sinks.

……………………………………………………………………………………

Test DWrite the sentences correctly.

There aren’t any eggs. If we have some eggs, I could make an omelette.If we had some eggs, I could make an omelette.

1 The weather doesn’t look very good. If it’ll rain, I’ll stay here.……………………………………………………………………………………

2 The programme is starting soon. Can you tell me if it starts?……………………………………………………………………………………

3 Could you just listen? I didn’t need to repeat things all the time if you listened.……………………………………………………………………………………

4 It's a simple law of science. If air will get warmer , it rises.……………………………………………………………………………………

5 There’s only one key. I’d better get another one made if I lose it. …………………………………………………………………………………… 6 We were really late. I wish we left home earlier.

…………………………………………………………………………………… 7 I hope the parcel comes today. If it won’t arrive today, we’ll have to complain.

…………………………………………………………………………………… 8 That radio is on loud. I wish someone turns it down.

…………………………………………………………………………………… 9 We must do something. Until we act quickly, it’ll be too late.

…………………………………………………………………………………… 10 Of course Martin was angry. But he hadn’t been angry if you hadn’t damaged hisstereo.

……………………………………………………………………………………