Conditionals

Conditionals – Traditional Grammar : 1 Conditionals – Traditional Grammar Some grammar books concentrate on 3 common patterns of ‘if’ sentences which are often called the first, second and third conditionals. ‘first conditional’ if + the present will + the infinitive If we go to town I’ll buy you a present. ‘second conditional’ if + the past would + the infinitive If we went to town I would buy you a present. ‘third conditional’ if + the past perfect would have + past participle If we had gone to town I would have bought you a present.

Conditionals : 2 Conditionals Although the 3 patterns of conditional sentence are common in English, it is important to know that there are many different structures with ‘if’ and that they don’t really divide into 3 types. It is more logical to divide these sentences into: 1. ‘if’ with ordinary tenses (including the ‘first conditional’ pattern) 2. ‘if’ with special tenses (including the ‘second’ and ‘third conditional’ patterns) In some books these are called: Real conditions Unreal conditions

Conditionals – Ordinary Tenses : 3 Conditionals – Ordinary Tenses When we DON’T want to suggest that a situation is unreal or imaginary, we use ordinary tenses with ‘if’ – the same tenses we use with other conjunctions. Present tenses are used to talk about the present, past tenses to talk about the past and so on. Examples: If you want to learn English, you must practise. If you didn’t learn English at school, you’ll find it harder to learn English now. If you are going to Australia next year, you should learn some English before you go. If that was Mary on the phone, why didn’t you ask her about her holiday in Australia? Complete the following sentences: If you want to learn English quickly, … If I get time today, … If you hope to be a success, … If I have the chance to travel, … If they didn’t have any money, ….? If he’s starting work next week, …

Conditionals – Special Tenses : 4 Conditionals – Special Tenses We use ‘special tenses’ with ‘if’ when we are talking about unreal situations that will probably not happen, situations that are untrue or imaginary, past events that didn’t happen, and similar ideas. In these cases we use ‘would’ and past tenses to ‘distance’ our language from reality. Examples: I would be a happier woman if I had more money. If you had told me you needed some money, I would have lent you some. What would you do if you lost your job? Complete the following sentences: If I knew more English vocabulary, … I would have been a happier child, … If I got up earlier each day, … …. , I’d be so happy. If I hadn’t come to this class today, …. If I were you, …

Conditionals – Ordinary vs Special Tenses : 5 Conditionals – Ordinary vs Special Tenses In conditional sentences the difference between, for example, ‘if I come’ and ‘if I came’ is not a difference of time. They can both refer to the present or the future. The past tense suggests that the situation is less probable, or impossible, or imaginary. e.g. If I win this race, my parents will be so happy. If I won the lottery, I would buy a house. Which one is more likely?

Conditionals – will and would : 6 Conditionals – will and would Sometimes teachers say that you should not put ‘will’ or ‘would’ in the ‘if’ part of the sentence. This isn’t really correct! BUT we don’t very often put ‘will’ or ‘would’ in the ‘if’ part of the sentence! Look at the following CORRECT sentences: 1. If you will come this way, I’ll take you to the manager’s office. (‘will’ is used here to show that you are being polite) If you will eat so much junk food, you can’t expect to stay slim. (‘will’ here is used to say something like ‘if you insist on doing this’.) But the following sentence is NOT CORRECT: 3. If I will have enough time, I’ll come and see you. (We use a present tense to talk about the future in an ‘if’ sentence – not ‘will’) ‘Would’ is used to be even more polite: We would appreciate it if you would send us your order as soon as possilbe. If you would accept my apology I would be very grateful.

Conditionals – Ordinary Tenses : 7 Conditionals – Ordinary Tenses ‘If’ is a conjunction (like ‘and’ or ‘but’). It joins two ideas together in a sentence. These sentences are used to suggest many ideas such as possibility, uncertainty, politeness, and so on. An example: You’re going to town. Can you buy me a newspaper? = If you’re going to town, can you buy me a newspaper? Can you join the following ‘if’ sentences together? Beginnings Endings 1. If I was naughty, if I can avoid it. 2. I take 2 paracetomol … if I was going out. 3. If I have the chance to take early retirement, you should get a good teacher! 4. If the sun’s shining at the weekend, my mother sent me to bed early. 5. I don’t go to the dentist … if I have a headache. 6. If you’re studying English grammar, I’d like to re-train as a lawyer. 7. I used to spend ages getting ready … I’ll mow the lawn.

Conditionals – Ordinary Tenses : 8 Conditionals – Ordinary Tenses There is nothing strange about the sentences we were just looking at. We used past tenses to talk about the past and present tenses to talk about the present for example. Present Tense with Future Meaning In the ‘if’ section of the sentence we often use a present tense to talk about the future. For example: If I see him tomorrow, I’ll tell him about the meeting. I’ll buy some new clothes if I get promoted. Present Tenses are often used in this way with conjunctions. Look at the following sentences: I’ll stay at the airport until the plane takes off. I’ll think of you when I’m lying on the beach on holiday. I’ll have a good time whether it’s sunny or not.

Conditionals – Special Tenses – Now or in the future : 9 Conditionals – Special Tenses – Now or in the future When the situation isn’t ‘real’ we usually use a past tense in the ‘if’ part of the sentence and ‘would’ + the infinitive in the other part of the sentence. For example: If I spoke Spanish fluently, I’d go and live in Barcelona. 1. What would you do if you lost your job? 2. What would you do if you could speak English fluently? 3. How would you spend the money if you won the lottery? 4. What famous person would you like to meet if you could? 5. What would you say to Mr Bush if you met him? 6. What international sporting event would you like to go to if you had the chance?

Conditionals – Special Tenses – Unreal Past Situations : 10 Conditionals – Special Tenses – Unreal Past Situations To talk about past situations we use a past perfect tense in the ‘if’ part of the sentence and ‘would have’ + past participle in the other part of the sentence. For example: If you hadn’t missed the train, you’d have been in the accident. I’d have been here earlier if I hadn’t overslept. This form can be used for regrets. (Things you wish you had done, or wish you hadn’t done.) What regrets do you have? For example: If I had only worked harder at school, I’d have been able to go to university.

Slide 11 : 11 Can you make some ‘if’ sentences to talk about these pictures? Conditionals Some possible vocabulary: ironing board, drunk social services, police dangerous, accident, hurt ambulance, hospital

Conditionals : 12 Conditionals Can you make some ‘if’ sentences to talk about these pictures? 1 2 3 4 5 6