Second Conditional:
If + Past Simple/Continuous + would/could/might/ect +
infinitive.
If I were the Prime Minister, I would give low-income workers
a tax break.
They would give him a contract extension if he wasn’t already
so close to professional retirement.
Use this structure to discuss the questions in pairs:
- What would you do if you had more free time?
- What would you do if you could turn invisible?
- Where would you live if you could live anywhere in the
world?
- If you could meet anyone dead or alive, who would you
like to meet?
- If you could change any law, what would you change?
- If you had to change job/degree, what would you do
instead?
Zero Conditional: General Truth
Form: If + Present Simple + Present Simple
If there is live on other planets, we are not alone.
Other options other than ‘if’:
When people are under stress, they often perform better.
Unless they are under intense stress, they perform better.
First Conditional: Possibility in the Present or Future
Form: If + Present + Future
I’ll be sad to see them win the league, even if we do finish in
the top 4.
You won’t get an interview unless you’ve filled in an
application form.
If keep watching TV all day, you’ll end up with square eyes.
Second Conditional: Unlikely/Imaginary
If + Past Simple/Continuous + would/could/might/ect +
infinitive.
If I were the Prime Minister, I would give low-income workers
a tax break.
They would give him a contract extension if he wasn’t already
so close to professional retirement.
Also, to give advice:
I wouldn’t quit my day job if I were you.
It would be better if you email me.
Third Conditional: Imaginary Past.
If + Past Perfect + would/could/might have + past participle.
I wouldn’t have told her that if I’d had known she’d tell
everyone else.
She could have got there on time if she hadn’t missed the
bus.
If United hadn’t signed Ronaldo they would have finished in
the bottom half of the league table.
Alternatives to if:
If, as/so long as, unless, even if, whether, providing, provided
(that), on conditional that.
As/So long as: Use them instead of if to express a condition;
note that providing/provided (that) is a bit formal.
Provided/Providing (that) he doesn’t cheat, Mike will play
with us.
Even if: Emphasises that something will (or will not) happen
whatever the condition is.
Even if they win the last game, they still cannot compete for
the championship.
Otherwise: Used to describe what would happen if we did
things differently. Usually begins a different sentence.
Jack studied very little for his exams. Otherwise, he would be
off to university by now.
I must leave at 3.30. Otherwise, I’ll get stuck in traffic.