INGLES VI

If Clause
 ZERO CONDITIONAL
If you dont water flowers, they die.
If you have a headache, stop watching TV.

If clause: Main clause:

PRESENT SIMPLE PRESENT SIMPLE
or IMPERATIVE

With zero conditional

we express a general truth or we give advice.
 FIRST CONDITIONAL
If the weather is nice, we will go for a walk.
If you dont apologize, she will never trust you again.

If clause: Main clause:

PRESENT SIMPLE FUTURE SIMPLE

The first conditional refers to the present and future.

It expresses a possible condition and
its probable result in the future.
Second conditional
Meaning
The second conditional also refers to the present
or future. In second conditional sentences we
speculate about situations that will probably never
happen.
Examples:
1.- If I had more time, I would help you. (But I am
not free at the moment. I can't help you).
2.- If I won a million dollars, I would start a
business of my own. (But I know that it is not
realistic.)
 Form

If clause: if + past tense

Main clause: would + bare infinitive

Note: the verb to be can have a specific form in

the if clause.
1.- If I were rich, I wouldn't work. If he were
younger, he would marry her.
(But was is also possible: If I was rich, I wouldn't
work. If he was younger, he would marry her.)
But: If I were you, I wouldn't do it. (In this
expression, were is much more usual than was.)
 SECOND CONDITIONAL
Jack wants to buy a house but he cant do this
because he doesnt have any money.

If I had a lot of
money,
I would buy a big
house.
 SECOND CONDITIONAL
Susan wants to phone Paul but she cant do this
because she doesnt know his number.

If I knew his number,

I would phone him.
 SECOND CONDITIONAL
If I had a lot of money, I would buy a big house.
If I knew his number, I would phone him.

if-clause: main clause:

PAST TENSE SIMPLE PRESENT CONDITIONAL
would + infinitive

The second conditional refers to the present and future.

It expresses an unreal situation and its probable result.
The situation or condition is improbable, impossible,
imaginary, or contrary to known facts.
 The first conditional versus the second
conditional

The main difference between the first and

second conditional is about probability: the
first conditional is realistic, the second
conditional is unrealistic.
 FIRST v. SECOND CONDITIONAL
If John runs fast, he will win the race.

This is still possible to happen.

If John ran fast, he would win the race.

This is unlikely to happen because John doesnt run fast.

THE DIFFERENCE: FIRST and SECOND CONDITIONAL

Both conditionals refer to the present and future.
The difference is about probability, not time.
First conditional: real and possible situations
Second conditional: unlikely to happen
 LETS PRACTICE !
Second Conditionals - put the verb into the correct tense:
1. If I _________________ (be) you, I _________________ (get) a
new job.
2. If he _________________ (be) younger, he _________________
(travel)
more.
3. If we _________________ (not / be) friends, I
_________________ (be)
angry with you.
4. If I _________________ (have) enough money, I
_________________ (buy)
a big house.
5. If she _________________ (not / be) always so late, she (be)
promoted.
6. If we _________________ (win) the lottery, we _________________ (travel)
the world.

7. If you _________________ (have) a better job, we _________________ (be)

able to buy a new car

8. If I _________________ (speak) perfect English, I _________________

(have) a good job.

9. If we _________________ (live) in Mexico, I _________________ (speak)

Spanish.

10. If she _________________ (pass) the exam, she _________________ (be)

able to enter university.
11. She _________________ (be) happier if she _________________ (have)
more friends.

12. We _________________ (buy) a house if we _________________ (decide) to

stay here.

13. They _________________ (have) more money if they _________________

(not / buy) so many clothes

14. We _________________ (come) to dinner if we _________________ (have)

time.

15. She _________________ (call) him if she _________________ (know) his

number.
16. They _________________ (go) to Spain on holiday if they _______________
(like) hot weather.
17. She _________________ (pass) the exam if she _________________ (study)
more.
18. I _________________ (marry) someone famous if I _________________ (be)
a movie star.
19. We never _________________ (be) late again if we _________________
(buy) a new car.
20. You _________________ (lose) weight if you _________________ (eat) less.
Exercise 1:
Match the beginnings of the sentences to the correct endings, to make logical conditional
sentences.
1. If I were taller, a. if I thought he really loved me.
2. I'd buy a new computer b. you lost your job?
3. How would you feel if c. if you apologized.
4. If you could visit any country in the
world, d. I'd come to the party with you.
5. He'd be really upset e. if he knew about the theft.
6. I'd marry him tomorrow f. I wouldn't have to wear high heeled
shoes.
7. I'd forgive you g. if I had enough money.
8. If I didn't feel so ill, h. where would you go?
Choose the 5 words which complete each sentence:
1. marry him, would you say yes?
he to if would asked asks you

2. How would we keep in touch ?

to didn't we have if did computers

3. if the pay was lower than it is?

leave you left job your If would

4. If she , going out with her.

he beautiful wouldn't isn't wasn't being be

5. If people , be fewer wars.

more would there tolerant wouldn't were are

6. If you , be able to communicate.

speak spoke speaking couldn't wouldn't we English