CONDITIONALS:
advanced grammar
Conditionals Explained:
Many of us struggle with conditionals! Remember to sign up for your free first lesson to discuss any questions you might have with your favorite Fluentella teacher!
Many of us struggle with conditionals! Let’s try and break it down a little bit:
Conditionals are also known as if clauses, we use them to say that one thing depends on something else. They can be used to talk about something that always happens, might happen or might have happened as a result of another state, action or event.
Let’s look at some examples below:
FOUR TYPES OF CONDITIONALS:
Sentences are divided into two parts: If clause (condition), + main clause (result).
(These are separated by a comma, but they also function without one.)
EXAMPLE: If I’m thirsty, I drink something.
EXAMPLE: If I’m thirsty, I will drink something.
EXAMPLE: If I won the lottery, I would buy a yacht.
EXAMPLE: If I had woken up earlier, I would have caught the bus.
Zero conditional
The zero conditional is used to talk about things that are certain, or always true. Scientific facts or general truths are written in the zero conditional.
Structure & Examples:
The structure of the zero conditional is:
If + present simple, present simple
IF YOU LEAVE ICE IN THE SUN, IT MELTS.
We can also use the word when instead of if and the meaning stays the same.
WHEN YOU LEAVE ICE IN THE SUN, IT MELTS.
First conditional:
We use this to talk about things in the future that are likely to happen or have a real possibility of happening.
Structure & Examples
The structure of the first conditional is:
If + present tense, will/won’t + infinitive
IF IT’S SUNNY, WE WILL GO TO THE PARK.
We can use the following connectors instead of if:
When, as soon as, in case, unless, as long as, after. But please take note that each of these connectors changes the meaning of the sentence slightly.
WHEN I RECEIVE THE DOCUMENT, I WILL GIVE YOU A CALL. (MEANING AT SOME POINT AFTER RECEIVING THE DOCUMENT)
AS SOON AS I RECEIVE THE DOCUMENT, I WILL GIVE YOU A CALL. (MEANING IMMEDIATELY AFTER)
AS LONG AS I RECEIVE THE DOCUMENT, I WILL GIVE YOU A CALL. (MEANING ON THE CONDITION THAT THE DOCUMENT IS RECEIVED)
UNLESS I RECEIVE THE DOCUMENT, I WILL GIVE YOU A CALL. (MEANING EXCEPT IF)
We can use modal verbs instead of will/won’t:
May, might, shall, should, could, or an imperative in the main clause. This changes the meaning or the likelihood of the result.
IF I HAVE TIME, I MIGHT GO TO THE BANK. (POSSIBILITY)
IF I HAVE TIME, I SHOULD GO TO THE BANK. (OBLIGATION OR DUTY)
IF I HAVE TIME, I COULD GO TO THE BANK. (ABILITY / OFFER)
IF YOU HAVE TIME, PLEASE GO TO THE BANK. (IMPERATIVE / REQUEST / ORDER)
Second conditional:
Whereas the zero and first conditionals describe a real or possible situation, the second and third are imaginary or hypothetical situations.
Structure & Examples:
The structure of the second conditional is:
If + past simple, would/wouldn’t + infinitive
When there is the verb to be in the if clause, we can change it from was to were. This is because we are talking about hypothetical situations, so we’re changing the mood of the verb from indicative to the subjunctive. Both options are correct, but were is often preferred.
IF I WERE AN ANIMAL, I WOULD BE A LION.
Third conditional:
We use this structure to talk about an imagined past.
Structure & Examples
The structure of the third conditional is:
If + past perfect , would/wouldn’t + have + past participle.
IF WE HAD PLAYED A LITTLE BETTER, WE WOULD HAVE WON THE GAME.
We often use the third conditional to talk about regrets, and it is based on an unreal situation that cannot be changed.
Get Your First Lesson FREE
to finally become
fluent?