CONDITIONALS: REAL AND UNREAL

CINDY REYES

CONDITIONALSWHAT ARE THEY?

• They are compound sentences: one part orsentence expresses a condition, andthe other says what will happen if this proposed condition becomes true.

• For example: If it rains, (= condition) I don’t go to the beach.• The words used to introduce condition are: If (si), unless (si no).

• I.e. You will not go out unless you finish your meal.

ZERO CONDITIONAL

• Situations that are always true if something happens. They also could be universal truths.

• NOTE • This use is similar to, and can usually be

replaced by, a time clause using 'when' (example: When I am late, my father takes me to school.)

• I.e. If I am late, my father takes me to school.She doesn't worry if Jack stays out after school.

• Conditional 0 is formed by the use of the present simple in the if clause followed by a comma and then, the present simple in the result clause.

• If + subject +present simple , + subject + present simple If clause Main or result clause

• I.e. If he comes to town, we have dinner.

• You can also put the result clause first without using a comma between the clauses.

• Subject + Present simple + If + subject + present simple Main or result clause If clause

•I.e. We have dinner if he comes to town.

FIRST CONDITIONAL• Often called the "real" conditional because it

is used for real - or possible - situations. These situations take place if a certain condition is met. It may happen.

• NOTE • In the conditional 1 we often use unless which

means 'if ... not'. In other words, '...unless he hurries up.' it could also be written, '...if he doesn't hurry up.'.

• Unless = if… not

• Conditional 1 is formed by the use of the present simple in the if clause followed by a comma. The main clause (result clause) gives the result and has a verb in future:

• Will• Be going to• If + subject + present simple , subject + future tense

If clause Main or result clause• I.e. If it rains, we will stay at home.

• You can also put the result clause first without using a comma between the clauses.

• Subject + future tense + subject + If + present simple Main or result clause If clause

• He will arrive late unless he hurries up.• We are going to go to the movies if he finishes on time.

SECOND CONDITIONAL

• Often called the "unreal" conditional because it is used for unreal - impossible or improbable - situations. This conditional provides an imaginary result for a given situation (hypothetical).

• NOTE • The verb 'to be', when used in the 2nd

conditional, is always conjugated as 'were'. I.e. I would lower taxes if I were the President.

• Conditional 2 is formed by the use of the past simple in the if clause followed by a comma, then, would verb (base form) in the result clause.

• If + subject + past simple , subject + would + infinitveIf clause Main or result clause

• I.e. If he studied more, he would pass the exam.

• You can also put the result clause first without using a comma between the clauses.

• subject + would + infinitive + subject + If + past simple Main or result clause If clauseI.e. They would buy a new house if they had more

money.

THIRD CONDITIONAL

• Often referred to as the "past" conditional because it concerns only past situations with almost impossible results. Used to express a possible result to a past given situation. (but it is impossible to happen)

•Jane would have found a new job if she had stayed in Boston.

• Conditional 3 is formed by the use of the past perfect in the if clause followed by a comma, then, would have past participle in the result clause.

• If +subject + past perfect, subject+would +have + p. participleIfclause Main or result clause

• I.e. If he had known that, he would have decided differently.

• You can also put the result clause first without using a comma between the clauses.

• Subject+would + have + p. participle +If + subject +past simple Main or result clause If clause

• Life would have changed if Alice had won the competition.

MIXED CONDITIONAL

• It is used to talk about a result of an action that happened in the past and has an “effect” in the present.

• E.g.

• If I hadn’t been so careless, I wouldn’t be in trouble now.

• Mixed conditional is formed by the use of the if clause of the Third Conditional followed by a comma, and then, the main clause or result clause of the Second Conditional.

• If +subject + past perfect, subject +would+ past simpleIfclause Main or result clause

• I.e. If he had known that, he would be in trouble.

• You can also put the result clause first without using a comma between the clauses.

• subject +would+ past simple + If +subject + past perfectMain or result clause If clause

Life would change if Alice had won the competition.

CONDITIONAL WITH UNLESS• The word unless basically means the same thing as if ...

not. For example, "Unless you study, you will fail" means the same thing as "If you do not study, you will fail.“

• It can be used with the first, second, or third conditional. Here are some examples.

• First Conditional: "You'll be unhappy unless you break up with her" = "You'll be unhappy if you do not break up with her."

• Second Conditional: "I wouldn't ask her out unless you told me it was OK" = "I wouldn't ask her out if you told me it was not OK."

• Third Conditional: "They wouldn't have come over unless we'd invited them" = "They wouldn't have come over if we had not invited them.”

EXAMPLES WITH NEGATIVE FORM

• If my family does not come to visit me this year, I will be very sad.

• Linda a her family won’t get a dog if their new apartment complex prohibits it.

YOUR TURN TO PRACTICE

• IF I have time tomorrow, I_______________• I am going to buy a new television IF ______• IF you don’t practice English often, ________• IF she played guitar, she ______________• The teacher will help you IF ______________• I will lend you $10.000 IF _________________• IF I were you, I ________________________• I would have travelled to the moon IF I ______

• I f you want to practice more, go to this site:

• http://www.quia.com/quiz/708082.html

• Your teacher will help you IF you have any questions!