Zero, first and
second Conditional
Sentences
And other expressions of
conditions
CONDITIONALS
Zero Conditional: "A general truth/fact"
First Conditional: "Real and likely”
Second Conditional: "Unreal and unlikely"
(but
may be likely in the future)
Zero if/when + present +
Conditional present/imperative
if/when + past + past
- We use the zero conditional to talk about
something that is a general truth or fact (if
has a
similar meaning to every time):
If you heat water to 100°C, it boils..
If you own a car, you have to pay for insurance
every year.
- If it is no longer a fact we use the past tense:
EX: When I was a child, if I helped my mother,
she gave me extra pocket money
The terms "present" and "past" are used instead of "present tense (simple or continuous)"
and "past tense (simple or continuous"), for the sake of simplicity.
First if/when + present + future
Conditional simple/ modal verbs with future
meaning
We use the first conditional to talk
about something we feel is a
probable future result:
If I invest my money, it will grow.
We can use might, could, or may
instead of will to suggest something
is less probable:
If I invest it, I might lose it all.
or can to mean sometimes:
If you travel at rush hour, the trains can be
very crowded. (this sometimes happens)
Second if+ past simple + modal verb
Conditional with future-in-the-past meaning
We use the Second Conditional to talk about
present or future situations we think are
impossible or unlikely to happen.
If I invested my money, it would grow..
If I went travelling, I wouldn’t have money
left..
With the verb be we can use was or were
with I/he/she/it..
If I were you, I'd tell my parents the truth.
We can use was/were + to-infinitive to refer
to unlikely actions in the future:
If you were to travel for a year, you’d need a lot more
money
*We use "were" with all subject pronouns in the Second Conditional (Subjunctive mood).
Other We can use other words such as when, provided
Expressions that, in case, so/as long as and unless instead of
if in zero, first and second conditional sentences.
We use when and as soon as instead of
if to show that something is more likely:
I'll give you a lift into town when I finish my
work
We use unless to show a negative
condition, with a similar meaning to if ...
not:
You won’t earn interest unless you invest
properly
Other We can use other words such as when, provided
Expressions that, in case, so/as long as and unless instead of
if in zero, first and second conditional sentences.
These phrases can be used instead of if for
emphasis. Provided/providing that are
more common in written than spoken
English:
You won’t earn interest unless you invest properly
As long as you buy a second-hand car, you’ll save
money.
We use in case to talk about precautions.
Compare:
Keep this number in case there are any
problems.:
We don't usually start a sentence
with in case..
conditio
nal
Snap
!
1. If I win the
competition,..
C .I'll take you somewhere
nice to celebrate
2 If you boil milk,..
e. it forms a skin on the
top..
3 What will you do .
b .if you don't get accepted at
Macquarie
University?
4 What happens to the
engine .......
d. if you put diesel fuel into a petrol-
driven
car?
5 If I get all my work done in time,...
f .I'll be home by six o'clock tonight.
6 I might buy a new laptop
computerse…
h. if my boss allows me to
work from home sometimes.
7 If you agree to enrol in the
diploma course,.......
a . we'll give you the job.
8 If you put the sofa
there, .....
g. you won't be able to open
the cupboard.
e
W ell
don
!