English Lesson 2(Conditional)

0 conditional

If+ present simple or imperative

We use the 0 conditional to talk about situations wich are always true. It has the same meaning as when, whenever, or every time in such sentences

Every day situations

My eyes hurt if I spend too long on the computer

Scientifics parts

If you mix blue and yelow, you get green

Instructions if+ imperative

If you don't know the answer make an intellegent guess

1^st Conditional

If+ present simple, will+ infinitive without to

Use: to describe what may possible happen

A first conditional describes a real or likely situation. A present tense is used after if but the times refered to is the future. Will/ won't are common in the result clause.

If you fall , I won't be able to catch you!

This means that there's a real possibility this will happen.

Going to can be used instead of will.

If it rains we're going to get wet

The modal verb can is also common in first conditional sentences.

If the cases are too heavy. I can help you carry them

Unless, provide, as long as.

Unless-if not

Unless you leave at once, I'll call the police

If you don't leave at once, I'll call the police.

Provided – On the condition that

Provided you leave now, you will cath the train

With the imperative.

It's common to use the imperative instead of if.

Get me some cigarretes and I'll pay you later.

With should

We can use should instead of if in a conditional sentence. It means if by any chance... and makes the action less likely .

Should you see John, can you give him a message?

When

We use when for things wich are sure to happen.

I'm going shopping this afternoon. When I go shopping I'll buy some food.

2^nd Conditional

If+ past simple, would+ infinitive without to

A second conditional describes an unreal or imaginary situation.

If you fell, you would hurt yourself

This means that there's a small possibility that this will happen . The situation and its result are imagined.

The modal verbs might and could are common in 2^nd conditional.

If you became a millionary you might be unhappy

Were

Were is often used instead of wsain formal language.

If I were taller , I'd join the basket ball team

Were to

Were to is an another way of expressing

If they were to offer me the job , Id' turn it down

3^rd conditional

If+ past perfect , would/ might/ could have + past participle

With if:

A third conditional describes an unreal or imaginary situation in the past .

If John had studied more, he would have got better marks

This means that John didn't study more. A past situations , different to the one that really happened is imagined.

The modal verbs might and could are common in this kind of sentences.

If you had tried harder , you might have succeeded

Mixed conditional

If+ past perfect, would+ infinitive without to

Combination of a second and third conditional. They can express an imaginary past event and a possible o probable present result.

If you had listened to my advice , you would not be in this situation now