Scribd
Upload
15 views11 pages

Conditionals

The lecture of functional English on the topic conditionals.

Uploaded by

jiameer30
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
15 views11 pages

Conditionals

The lecture of functional English on the topic conditionals.

Uploaded by

jiameer30
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 11

Conditionals

Introduction

• Conditionals, often called "if-clauses," are used to express situations


that are dependent on certain conditions. These sentences typically
contain two parts: a condition and a result. Understanding and using
conditionals accurately is crucial for expressing possibilities,
hypotheses, and consequences in both spoken and written language.
Types of Conditionals

• Conditionals are typically classified into four main types: Zero, First,
Second, and Third Conditionals. Each type has a specific use and
structure depending on the likelihood or time frame of the condition.
1. Zero Conditional

• The zero conditional is used to talk about facts, scientific truths, or general statements that are
always true.
• Structure:
• If + Present Simple, Present Simple
• Examples:
• If you heat water to 100°C, it boils. (This is a fact and always true.)
• If people don’t eat, they get hungry. (A general truth.)
• Key Features:
• Both the condition and the result are in the present tense.
• This conditional is typically used for facts that are universally true, like laws of nature.
2. First Conditional
• The first conditional is used to express real and possible situations in the future. It talks about
events that are likely to happen if a condition is met.
• Structure:
• If + Present Simple, Will + Base Form (Verb)
• Examples:
• If it rains tomorrow, I will stay home. (It’s a possible future situation.)
• If you study hard, you will pass the exam. (The condition leads to a likely result.)
• Key Features:
• The condition is expressed using the present simple tense.
• The result is expressed using will plus the base form of the verb, indicating future possibility.
• It deals with real, possible situations.
3. Second Conditional
• The second conditional is used for hypothetical situations or unreal/impossible scenarios, often in the present
or future. It expresses outcomes that are unlikely or imaginary.
• Structure:
• If + Past Simple, Would + Base Form (Verb)
• Examples:
• If I won the lottery, I would travel the world. (It’s a hypothetical situation, unlikely to happen.)
• If she were here, she would help us. (She is not here, so this is imaginary.)
• Key Features:
• Although the condition uses the past simple tense, it doesn’t talk about the past; it’s about present or future
hypotheticals.
• The result uses would plus the base form of the verb.
• "Were" is often used for all subjects in formal English (e.g., If I were you).
4. Third Conditional
• The third conditional talks about past situations that did not happen and their imagined
consequences. It is used for unreal past conditions and results.
• Structure:
• If + Past Perfect, Would Have + Past Participle
• Examples:
• If I had known about the meeting, I would have attended. (I didn’t know, so I didn’t attend.)
• If they had studied harder, they would have passed the exam. (They didn’t study, so they didn’t
pass.)
• Key Features:
• The condition uses the past perfect tense, which refers to something that didn’t happen in the past.
• The result uses would have plus the past participle of the verb, indicating the imagined outcome.
Mixed Conditionals

• Mixed conditionals combine elements of the second and third conditionals. They are
used when the time in the “if” clause is different from the time in the result clause.

• Example 1 (Past condition, present result):


• If I had studied harder, I would be more confident now. (I didn’t study in the past, so I’m
not confident now.)
• Example 2 (Present condition, past result):
• If I were taller, I would have played basketball in high school. (I’m not tall now, so I
didn’t play in high school.)
Common Errors
• Incorrect tense use:
• Example: If it will rain, I will stay home.
• Correct: If it rains, I will stay home. (First conditional should use present tense in the "if" clause.)

• Mixing condition types:


• Example: If I would have known, I would come.
• Correct: If I had known, I would have come. (Third conditional for past events.)

• Using "was" instead of "were":


• Example: If I was rich, I would buy a mansion.
• Correct (formal): If I were rich, I would buy a mansion. (Second conditional prefers "were" for hypothetical
scenarios.)
Conclusion

• Conditionals are essential for discussing possibilities, hypothetical situations,


and cause-effect relationships. Mastering these structures allows speakers and
writers to convey a wide range of meanings. By practicing each type—Zero,
First, Second, and Third conditionals—students can improve their grammatical
accuracy and expression in both real and imagined scenarios.
Thank You

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy