Conditionals 0 1 2

Learning Unit

Conditionals 0, 1 and 2

Practice Unit

Start

Introduction to conditionals

Conditional 1

Conditional 0

Conditional 2

index

Practice

Summary

Video explanation

Introduction to conditionals

Conditional tenses are used to speculate about what could happen, what might have happened, and what we wish would happen.

Conditionals describe the result of a certain condition. The if clause tells you the condition (If you study hard) and the main clause tells you the result (you will pass your exams).

The order of the two clauses is flexible, it's not important and it doesn't change the meaning of the sentence. However, if the "if clause" comes first, it must be followed by a comma: If you study hard, you'll pass your exam.

+ other connectors

Conditional 0

Conditional

facts and general truths

We use the zero conditional to talk about things that are generally true, especially for laws and rules. In these sentences, the time is now or always and the situation is real and possible. For example: Plants die if they don't get enough water. The zero conditional is also often used to give instructions, using the imperative in the main clause. For example: If you want to come, call me before 5:00.

STRUCTURE

NEGATIVE

QUESTION

Conditional 1

Conditional

01

possible or probable future

We use the first conditional when we talk about future situations we believe are real or possible. These sentences are based on facts, and they are used to make statements about the real world, and about particular situations. We often use such sentences to give warnings. In type 1 conditional sentences, the time is the present or future and the situation is real. For example: If it doesn't rain tomorrow, we'll go to the beach.

STRUCTURE

NEGATIVE

QUESTION

Conditional 2

Conditional

02

unlikely to happen

The second conditional is used to imagine present or future situations that are impossible or unlikely in reality. These sentences are not based on fact. The type 2 conditional is used to refer to a hypothetical condition and its probable result. In type 2 conditional sentences, the time is now or any time and the situation is hypothetical. For example: If we had a garden, we could have a cat. we can also use the second conditional to express our opinions – to give advice, suggestions and recommendations. For example: If I were you, I would study harder.

STRUCTURE

NEGATIVE

QUESTION

summary

The different conditionals

Conditional 1 vs. Conditional 2

The first conditional describes things that I think are likely to happen in the future. If Renee does the laundry, she will have something to wear. The second conditional talks about things that I don’t think will happen. To make the second conditional, we use if + simple past, and would + infinitive verb. For example: If Renee did the laundry, she would have something to wear. (Renee is to busy to do any laundry this week.) So the first conditional is for possible events in the future and the second conditional is for a impossible or unprobable events in the future.

Used for A possible condition and its probable result, If clause: present simple main clause: future simple

Used for general truths, If clause: present simple main clause: present simple

Used for A hypothetical condition and its probable result, If clause: past simple main clause: would/could + infinitive (v1)

+ info graphic

1 vs. 0

Conditionals explained on video

PRACTICE

Test Yourself

Conditional 0

• practice 1

Conditional 1

• practice 1 - statements

• practice 2 - negation

Conditional 2

• practice 1 - statements

• practice 2 - negation

Mixed Practice

• practice 1

• practice 2

Good job

Learning unit completed

Reflect on what you have learned in this module.

Home