Conditional SentencesConditional Sentencesby miguel ángel rodríguez lópezby miguel ángel rodríguez lópez

Conditional SentencesConditional Sentences

They are composed by They are composed by 2 clauses.2 clauses.

one that one that expresses the conditionexpresses the condition

Introduced by the word “Introduced by the word “ifif”, ”, commonly known as “if clause”.commonly known as “if clause”.

one that one that expresses the consequence.expresses the consequence.

Example:Example: If If you work hard, you work hard, you will you will succeed.succeed.

There are There are 33 main types of main types of conditional conditional patterns.patterns.

1st conditional : 1st conditional : probable probable conditioncondition

2nd conditional : 2nd conditional : improbableimprobable condition condition

3rd conditional : 3rd conditional : imaginaryimaginary condition condition

Conditional SentencesConditional Sentences

1st Conditional1st Conditional : Probable : Probable ConditionCondition

It is used for actions which are It is used for actions which are truetrue or or likely likely to happento happen

Examples:Examples: If it If it rainsrains tomorrow, tomorrow, we we shall cancelshall cancel the the

picnic.picnic. You You will bewill be tired tired if you if you dodo a lot of exercises. a lot of exercises.

• Note on 1st ConditionalNote on 1st Conditional::If + present tense,If + present tense, future tensefuture tense

A modal verb (can, must, etc.) is sometimes A modal verb (can, must, etc.) is sometimes used instead of a present tense.used instead of a present tense.

2nd Conditional2nd Conditional : Improbable : Improbable ConditionCondition

It is used for present or future activities It is used for present or future activities which are which are improbableimprobable or or unlikely to happenunlikely to happen

Examples:Examples: If it If it rainedrained tomorrow, tomorrow, we we should stayshould stay at at

home.home. You You could startcould start dinner dinner if it if it werewere ready. ready.

• Note on 2nd ConditionalNote on 2nd Conditional::if + past tense,if + past tense, would/should/could + verbwould/should/could + verb

3rd Conditional3rd Conditional : Imaginary : Imaginary ConditionCondition

It is used for impossible activities which could It is used for impossible activities which could NOT be true or performedNOT be true or performed

Examples:Examples: If it If it had rainedhad rained yesterday, yesterday, I I would have stayedwould have stayed at at

home.home. What What wouldwould you you have donehave done if you if you had been had been

attackedattacked by a monster? by a monster?

• Note on 3rd conditionalNote on 3rd conditionalif + past perfect,if + past perfect, perfect conditional (would, perfect conditional (would, should, could + have + past participle)should, could + have + past participle)

ExerciseExercise

Try to distinguish the Try to distinguish the following sentences.following sentences.

1.1. If you take a taxi, you can get there in time for the If you take a taxi, you can get there in time for the play.play.

2.2. If I had known your arrival, I should have met you.If I had known your arrival, I should have met you.

3.3. If I dropped this bomb, it would explodeIf I dropped this bomb, it would explode..

ExerciseExercise

Try to distinguish the Try to distinguish the following sentences.following sentences.

1.1. If you take a taxi, you can get there in time for the If you take a taxi, you can get there in time for the play.play.

First Conditional First Conditional

2.2. If I had known your arrival, I should have met you.If I had known your arrival, I should have met you. Third Conditional Third Conditional

3.3. If I dropped this bomb, it would explode.If I dropped this bomb, it would explode.

Second Conditional Second Conditional

SummarySummary

Conditional sentences are composed by Conditional sentences are composed by 2 2 partsparts one that one that expresses the conditionexpresses the condition one that one that expresses the consequenceexpresses the consequence

33 main types of main types of conditional patterns.conditional patterns. First Conditional : First Conditional : Probable Probable ConditionCondition Second Conditional : Second Conditional : ImprobableImprobable Condition Condition Third Conditional : Third Conditional : ImaginaryImaginary Condition Condition