English grammar conditionals

CONDITIONALS

“ If” sentences

Formation

• result

IF + clause

• Hypothesis
• Possible situation

Main clause

If clause , main clause

Main clause if clause

ZERO CONDITIONAL

• Is used for talking about the real world, and often refers to general truths or facts - things which always happen under certain conditions .

e.g. If I give my dog a bone, it buries it.

My parents get angry if I come home late.

If you heat water to 100 degrees, it boils .

time

FIRST CONDITIONAL

• is used to talk about things which are possible in the present or the future -- things which may happen .

e.g. If I have money, I will buy a car.

If he takes these antibiotics, he’ll get better quickly. If he doesn’t , he won’t .

FIRST CONDITIONAL

• For giving advice or suggestion

e.g. If you feel sleepy, go to bed.

If you see Mike, tell him to phone me.

SECOND CONDITIONAL

• is used to talk about things which are unreal (not true or not possible) in the present or the future -- things which don't or won't happen ;

e.g. If I had a million dollars, I would buy a big house.

If I were you, I' d change my job.

Exercise 1

• If he were a young man, he ________ able to walk faster.
• If her hair were black, she ________ completely different.
• If I ________ a penny for every can of soda I've drunk in my life, I would be rich!
• We don't mind camping, but if we ________ enough money, we ________ in a hotel.
• If the weather ________ better, we ________ to the park.

• http://www.geocities.com/suzkeadie/cond3.html