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Understanding English Conditionals

The document explains the three types of conditionals in English: first conditional for real possibilities, second conditional for unreal situations, and third conditional for past unreal situations. It emphasizes the importance of conditionals in discussing possibilities, giving advice, expressing politeness, and showing regret, particularly for language learners. Examples illustrate how the perception of reality influences the use of conditionals in different contexts.

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6 views2 pages

Understanding English Conditionals

The document explains the three types of conditionals in English: first conditional for real possibilities, second conditional for unreal situations, and third conditional for past unreal situations. It emphasizes the importance of conditionals in discussing possibilities, giving advice, expressing politeness, and showing regret, particularly for language learners. Examples illustrate how the perception of reality influences the use of conditionals in different contexts.

Uploaded by

sofiaolivetree
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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CONDITIONAL

First conditional or “real” is used for situations that


seem real, at least in the writer or speakers’ mind: “If it
rains, I will stay home.”
Second or “unreal” shows a less real possibility: “If it
ever snowed in Los Angeles, I would ski.” The first
discusses a real possibility for Los Angeles; the second a
highly improbable one.

Third or past conditional portrays an unreal situation


related to the past: “If I had known you were coming, I
would have cleaned house.” The conditionals are the language
of possibility and probability. A lot of the use is dependent on the
speakers’ or writers’ own perspective. For example:

Hilary Clinton might say, “If I become president, I will end


the war.” (Hillary Clinton has a real possibility of being
president of the United States, at least in her mind at the
time of speaking.)

A student in your class might say, “If I became


president, I would end the war.” (Your student
doesn’t see becoming president as a real possibility.)
A lot of what we discuss, especially in academic
language, is the hypothetical, so it is important for
students to know this how to use conditionals to
discuss possibilities and probabilities.

Conditionals also have different pragmatic functions,


such as to give advice or warnings:
“If I were you, I wouldn’t do that.” (second
conditional)

Conditionals can also be used as politeness


markers:
“Would you be so kind as to shut the door?’
“I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t smoke.”

Finally, they are used to express regret:


“If I had finished work earlier, I would have gone to
the movie.”

All of these uses of the conditional—to discuss


possibility/probability, give advice, express
politeness, and show regret—are highly relevant to
language learners.

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