CONDITIONALS

What are conditionals in English grammar? Sometimes we call them 'if clauses'. They describe the result of something that might happen (in the present or future) or might have happened but didn't (in the past) . They are made using different English verb tenses.

Conditional sentences have TWO clauses.

1. Conditional clause:(sometimes called an if-clause). The conditional clause usually begins with if or unless. The conditional clause can come before or after the main clause.

 We'll be late if we don't leave now.

but if it comes at the beginning the clauses have to be separated by a comma(,).

If we don't leave now,we'll be late.

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ZERO CONDITIONAL

The first conditional has the present simple after 'if', then the present simple too in the main or result clause:

• if + present simple, ----------- present simple
• if clause------------------result or main clause

We use the zero conditional when we want to talk about facts or things that are generally true. Scientific facts are often covered by the zero conditional: "When you heat ice, it melts." The zero conditional uses if or when and must be followed by the simple present or imperative.

If you visit Paris, please send me a postcard.

If it rains, don’t forget your umbrella.

If you finish this work before 4 o’clock, go back home.

When I work, don’t disturb me

When you go to the concert, don’t forget your ticket.

When the students  finish their work, show it to their teacher.

COMMANDS OR IMPERATIVES

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FIRST CONDITIONAL

The first conditional has the present simple after 'if', then the future simple in the other clause:

• if + present simple, ... will + infinitive

IIt's used to talk about probable things which might happen in the future. Of course, we can't know what will happen in the future, but this describes possible things, which could easily come true.

• If it rains, I won't go to the park.
• If I study today, I'll go to the party tonight.
• If I have enough money, I'll buy some new shoes.
• She'll be late if the train is delayed.
• She'll miss the bus if she doesn't leave soon.
• If I see her, I'll tell her.

First vs. Zero Conditional:

The first conditional describes a particular situation, whereas the zero conditional describes what happens in general.

SECOND CONDITIONAL

The Second Conditional

The second conditional uses the past simple after if, then 'would' and the infinitive:

• if + past simple, ...would + infinitive

(We can use 'were' instead of 'was' with 'I' and 'he/she/it'. This is mostly done in formal writing).

It has two uses.

First, we can use it to talk about things in the future that are probably not going to be true. Maybe I'm imagining some dream for example.

• If I won the lottery, I would buy a big house.(I probably won't win the lottery)
• If I met the Queen of England, I would say hello.
• She would travel all over the world if she were rich.
• She would pass the exam if she ever studied.(She never studies, so this won't happen)

Second, we can use it to talk about something in the present which is impossible, because it's not true. Is that clear? Have a look at the examples:

• If I had his number, I would call him. (I don't have his number now, so it's impossible for me to call him).
• If I were you, I wouldn't go out with that man.