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Conditional Sentences

The document discusses the four types of conditional sentences in English: - The Zero Conditional describes facts and general truths using the present tense. - The First Conditional expresses outcomes likely to happen in the future using future tense or modals. - The Second Conditional refers to unlikely or hypothetical situations using past tense. - The Third Conditional talks about circumstances that would be different if something had happened differently, using past perfect tense. It provides examples and structures for each conditional type and notes that "unless" can replace "if" with the opposite meaning. Exercises are listed for additional practice with conditional sentences.

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22 views

Conditional Sentences

The document discusses the four types of conditional sentences in English: - The Zero Conditional describes facts and general truths using the present tense. - The First Conditional expresses outcomes likely to happen in the future using future tense or modals. - The Second Conditional refers to unlikely or hypothetical situations using past tense. - The Third Conditional talks about circumstances that would be different if something had happened differently, using past perfect tense. It provides examples and structures for each conditional type and notes that "unless" can replace "if" with the opposite meaning. Exercises are listed for additional practice with conditional sentences.

Uploaded by

NOEMI
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Conditional sentences

 The Zero Conditional


 The 1st Conditional
 The 2nd Conditional
 The 3rd Conditional
 Exercises

Dr. José Javier Ávila Cabrera


The Zero Conditional
 Structure
If/When + subordinate clause + main clause
Main clause + if/when + subordinate clause

If/When + subj. + present simple, subj. + present simple


Subj. + present simple + if/when+ subj. + present simple

Other options: Unless/When/Whenever + subj. + present simple, subj. + present simple

 Uses
Facts, laws of nature, general truths

 Samples
If my smartphone battery is uncharged, it doesn’t work.
My smartphone (it) doesn’t work if its battery is uncharged.

When I leave home at 08:00, I miss the bus.


I miss the bus when I leave home at 08:00.
The First Conditional
 Structure
If + subordinate clause + main clause
Main clause + if + subordinate clause

If+ subj. + present simple, subj. + future simple/imperative


Subj. + future simple/imperative + if + subj. + present simple

 Uses: Outcomes likely to happen in the near future

 Samples
If I finish my work office soon, I’ll give you a call.
I’ll give you a call if I finish my work office soon.

Give me a call if you finish your work office soon.


If you finish your work office soon, give me a call.

* Instead of the future simple tense, modal verbs can be used


If I finish my work office soon, I may/might/should/can give you a call.
The Second Conditional
 Structure
If + subordinate clause + main clause
Main clause + if + subordinate clause

If+ subj. + past simple, subj. + conditional simple


Subj. + conditional simple + if + subj. + past simple

 Uses
Outcomes unrealistic / unlikely to happen in the near future
Hypothetical situations

 Samples
If I were you, I would not change my job.
I would not change my job if I were you.

* If + clause + subject + were


The Third Conditional
 Structure
If + subordinate clause + main clause
Main clause + if + subordinate clause

If+ subj. + past perfect, subj. + conditional perfect


Subj. + conditional perfect + if + subj. + past perfect

 Uses
To express circumstances would be different if something different had
happened

 Samples
If you had told us the meeting was at 09:00, we would have arrived on time.
We would have arrived on time if you had told us the meeting was at 09:00.
Unless (+) = if (-)
 The First Conditional
Unless it rains, we’ll meet you for dinner tonight.
If it does not rain, we’ll meet you for dinner tonight.

 The Second Conditional


Unless I inherited lots of money, I wouldn’t travel all over the world.
If I didn’t inherit lots of money, I wouldn’t travel all over the world.

 The Third Conditional


Unless the finance manager had left the company, I wouldn’t have had any
chance for promotion.
If the finance manager hadn’t left the company, I wouldn’t have had any
chance for promotion.
Exercises

https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/conditional-exercises.html

https://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises_list/if.htm

https://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/tests/conditional-sentences-3

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