The Grammar Gameshow: BBC Learning English
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Jose AntonioThe Grammar Gameshow: BBC Learning English
Uploaded by
Jose AntonioBBC LEARNING ENGLISH
The Grammar Gameshow
The first conditional
Will
Hello, and welcome to today’s Grammar Gameshow! I’m your host, Will! But I’m not
followed by an infinitive, just feelings of regret! And of course, let’s not forget Leslie, our all-
knowing voice in the sky.
Leslie
Hello everyone!
Will
Tonight, we’re going to ask you three questions about…
Leslie
The first conditional! The structure that says something can happen, only if something else
happens first!
Will
OK! Now, let’s meet our contestants!
Sean
Hello, Will. My name is Sean!
Will
And contestant number two?
Levington
It’s nice to meet you. I’m Levington!
Will
Wonderful! Fresh meat! OK. Let’s get going and don’t forget you can play along at home
too. Our first round is an odd one out round. Which of these statements about the first
conditional is not true?
a) The formula is: if + present simple + will + infinitive
b) First conditionals are used for possible present or future consequences
c) The ‘if’ clause can be at the beginning of the sentence or in the middle
d) You can use the present simple, continuous or perfect tense in the ‘if’ clause
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Will
OK! Sean…what are you thinking?
Sean
Well, I know that a) is correct because ‘if I am hungry, I will eat’, and I know that is correct.
And I’m pretty sure that d) is correct. But I don’t know about the others.
Will
Good thinking! Levington, how about you?
Levington
Well, I’m confident that b) is true, because I remember reading that even though we use a
present tense, it has a future meaning. For example, ‘if I stay the extra day, I will be late next
week’. And I’m certain you can put ‘if’ in the middle…‘I will be late if I stay the extra day’.
But I don’t know about the others.
Will
OK! Last chance! Anyone? No? OK. Leslie?
Leslie
They’re all correct. The formula is if + present tense + will + infinitive. First conditionals can
refer to possible present or future consequences. The ‘if’ clause can go at the beginning of
the sentence, or in the middle. And finally, it is possible to use the present simple,
continuous or perfect tenses. For example: If I play football, I will be healthy. If I’m playing
football, I will be sweaty and if I have played football, I will be tired.
Will
Whoops! No points for you guys! You should know, if you’re on the Grammar Gameshow,
you won’t be able to trust a word we say. OK, on to our next question. We’ve just said
that the first conditional uses ‘if’ in the conditional clause and ‘will’ in the main clause. But is
it also possible to use ‘will’ in the conditional clause?
Sean
Sorry! I pressed that by mistake. I’ve no idea!
Will
The answer is ‘No’. Trust me.
Sean
You just said we can’t trust a word you say!
Will
That was before!
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Sean
OK. No, you cannot use ‘will’ in the conditional clause.
Will
Wrong I’m afraid. Totally and utterly wrong. How embarrassing. Levington?
Levington
We can!
Will
I’m going to need an example!
Levington
If Sean will keep trusting you, he won’t get any points.
Will
Nice! And topical. Great! Leslie?
Leslie
Well done! ‘will’ can be used in the conditional clause when a person is being insistent, or
showing irritation at someone. Another example would be: if you will leave the windows
open when you go out, you will get burgled!
Will
Levington? Ten points for you! OK. Last question. How can we make a first conditional
more formal?
Sean
We have to replace ‘if’ with a word - either ‘should’ or ‘had’.
Will
You’ll have to choose, I’m afraid. I would choose ‘should’ if I were you. Trust me.
Sean
The answer is ‘had’.
Will
Leslie?
Leslie
Sorry Sean. Not quite right. We do replace the ‘if’, but with ‘should’. For example, ‘If I go’
becomes ‘should I go’. And don't forget that in a negative, we use ‘not’ instead of ‘don’t’.
For example: ‘if I don’t go’ – ‘should I not go’.
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Will
Wrong again! But if you can give me an example, I’ll give you twenty points.
Sean
Should I get this correct, I will receive 20 points!
Will
Well done! Twenty points to Levington. Oh! I’m sorry…did you think I was talking to you?
Never mind! And that brings us to the end of today’s Grammar Gameshow. And the winner
is… Levington! Well done! Here’s what you’ve won!
Leslie
It’s a chopstick! Just the one though!
Will
We’ll see you again next week, where you can play for another prize. And Sean?
Sean
Yes?
Will
I like you so much, I’m not going to drop you down the pit. Trust me. Release the donkeys!
It looks like we’ll need another contestant. Thanks for joining us, and say goodbye Leslie
Leslie
Goodbye, Leslie
Will
See you next time.
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