Name:
CONDITIONALS
Conditionals describe situations and circumstances that entail cause and effect.
If a particular condition is present, a particular result occurs.
Conditionals are composed of two clauses.
The IF CLAUSE and the RESULT CLAUSE.
You can begin conditional sentences with the “if clause” or the result clause. The meaning
is the same.
ZERO CONDITIONAL
Use: To talk about things
that are always true, like a
scientific fact.
If + present Present Simple
If you heat water to 100 degrees, it boils.
The water boils if it’s 100C
Oil floats if you pour it in water
FIRST CONDITIONAL
Use: to talk about
possibilities in the present
or in the future.
If/unless + present
Simple
future (will/won’t)
If you study hard, you will pass the exam
I always read a book in the evenings unless I go
out.
SECOND CONDITIONAL
Use: to talk about
hypothetical situations.
If + past simple would + verb
I would study harder if I had time.
If we had money, we would buy a new house.
My friends wouldn’t leave me if I was feeling sad.
THIRD CONDITIONAL
Use: to talk about PAST
hypothetical situations.
Things that didn’t happen
in the past.
If + past perfect Would have + past
participle
If I had met Susan last week, I would have given
her the book.
If the weather had been good, we would have
gone to the mountains.
If you had asked her, she would have helped you.
