CONDITIONAL First conditional.

Use If + the present simple (for example: If it rains) to talk about things in the future which can happen or which are possible. Then use the future (will) for the result (for example we will get wet). In other words, if A happens, B will happen. In the example: If it rains, we will get wet, it is possible or probable that it will rain. We will get wet will be the result. More examples: If you lend me some money, Ill buy you a drink. If you hit me, Ill hit you. If I marry, I wont stop work. If you go to England, youll learn a lot of English. You can also start the sentence with B will happen and follow with if A happens. The meaning of the sentence is the same. So, for Example, these two examples mean the same thing: Well get wet if it rains.

If it rains More examples:

well get wet.

Ill wash the dishes if you dry them. Ill come in if the waters not too cold. Youll get square eyes if you watch television all day. In all these examples, it is the part of the sentence after if (the if clause) which tells you what can happen or what is possible (if A happens). The other part of the sentence is the result ( B will happen). Second conditional. Use if + the past simple (If you wore glasses) to talk about things which are possible but not very probable. Then use would + a main verb for the result ( youd see better). In other words, if A happened, B would happen. More examples: If you went to England for a year, youd learn a lot of English. If he won lot of money, hed travel round the world.

In these two examples it is not probable that the other person will go to England for a year or win a lot of money. You can also use if + the past simple to talk about things which are impossible. Examples: If you were taller, I would dance with you. If I were younger, Id show them how to play. If I were you, Id see a doctor. In these examples it is impossible for the boy to be taller, for the man to be younger, or for I to be you. Notice that you can use either was or were after the 1st and 3rd persons singular in the if clause. In the same way as with the first conditional you can start the sentence with B would happen and following it with if A happened. The meaning of the sentence is the same. So, for example, these two sentences mean the same: If you were taller, Id dance with you.

Id dance with you

if you were taller.

Remember this: First conditional Probable situation in the future If + present simple If A happens If it rains Result Future with will B will happen we will get wet.

Second conditional Possible but not very probable situation in the present or future Result If + past simple would + main verb If A happened B would happen If you were taller I would dance with you.

EXERCISES Test A

Complete the news report about protest against a new road. Put in the correct form of the verbs. Sometimes you need will or would. Yesterday protesters managed to hold up work on the Oldbury bypass. Protest leader Alison Compton defended the action by members of the Green World group. If we dont protest, soon therell be (there / be) no countryside left, she told reporters. The bypass is now well behind schedule, and if the protesters had not held up the work so often, (1) . (it / open) two months ago. If these fields (2) . (disappear), well never see them again, said Ms. Compton. Why cant we use public transport? If more people (3) . (travel) on buses and trains, we wouldnt need new roads. If the motor car had never existed, the world (4) . (be) a more pleasant place today. But many people in Oldbury want their new bypass. If (5) . (they / not build) it soon, the traffic jams in the town will get worse, said Asif Mohammed, whose house is beside the busy A34. We just cant leave things as they are. If things remained the same, peoples health (6) . (suffer) even more from all the pollution here. Its terrible. If we don't get the traffic out of the town, (7) . (I / go) mad. If (8) . (I / know) earlier how bad this problem would get, (9) . (I / move) out years ago. But now it has become impossible to sell this house because of the traffic. The government waited too long. If (10) . (they / do) something sooner, there would be less traffic today. And the protest is making the new road even more expensive. If this goes on, (11) . (there / not / be) enough money left to finish the road, says the Transport Minister. Test B Look at the answers below and write the correct answer in each space. A: Theres always something going wrong with this car. B: If you had any sense, youd have sold it long ago. a) be selling b) have sold c) sell d) sold 1 A: Its a pity the lake wasnt frozen yesterday. B: Yes, it is. If it frozen, we could have gone skating. a) had been b) was c) would be d) would have been 2 A: Havent you got enough money for a holiday? B: Oh yes. Ive got some saved up I suddenly need it. a) if b) in case c) that d) unless 3 A: What are you going to do next year? B: I wish I the answer to that question. a) knew b) know c) could know

d) would know

4 A: These figures are too complicated to work out in your head. B: Yes, if we had a calculator. a) better b) only c) really d) that 5 A: What are you doing later this afternoon? B: Oh, the game finishes, Ill go home, I expect. a) if b) in case c) unless d) when

6 A: Do you think I should take the job? B: You shouldnt do anything you think its the right thing to do. a) if b) in case c) unless d) when Test C Write a second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first. Begin with If I havent got a key, so I cant get in. If I had a key, I could get in. 1 You talk about football and Im going to be very bored. 2 The baby didnt cry, so we had a good sleep. .... 3 You may want a chat, so just give me a ring. 4 Nigel hasnt got satellite TV, so he cant watch the game. 5 You go away and Ill miss you. .... 6 Im not rich or Id have given up working long ago. 7 We should have bought that picture five years ago because it would be quite valuable now. 8 Throw a stone into water and it sinks. Test D Write the sentences correctly. There arent any eggs. If we have some eggs, I could make an omelette. If we had some eggs, I could make an omelette. 1 The weather doesnt look very good. If itll rain, Ill stay here. 2 The programme is starting soon. Can you tell me if it starts? 3 Could you just listen? I didnt need to repeat things all the time if you listened. 4 It's a simple law of science. If air will get warmer , it rises. 5 Theres only one key. Id better get another one made if I lose it. 6 We were really late. I wish we left home earlier. 7 I hope the parcel comes today. If it wont arrive today, well have to complain. 8 That radio is on loud. I wish someone turns it down. 9 We must do something. Until we act quickly, itll be too late.

 10 Of course Martin was angry. But he hadnt been angry if you hadnt damaged his stereo.