Prof De Ingles

The Zero Conditional:
The zero conditional is used:
a) For instructions:
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If you select reverse gear, the car goes backwards.
If the camera is on, a red light appears.
If you press the button, the machine switches off.

b) For general truths:
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If he's got no money, he doesn't go out.
Lie always says hello if he sees you.
Each time I stay out late, I get a taxihome.
If you go in the best seats, You get a free drink

IF

condition
present simple

result
present simple

If

you heat ice,

it melts.

If

I stay out late,

I always get a taxi home.

We can also use the past simple in the two clauses:
If I stayed out late, I always got a taxi home.

1

First conditional
I think I left my lighter at your house. Have
you seen it?No, but I’ll look. If I find it, I’ll give
it to you.

In this example there is a real possibility that Tom will find the lighter. He is talking about
the future. He is thinking about a particular condition or situation in the future, and the result
of this condition. So he says: “If I find…, I’ll…”

We use the first conditional to talk about actions or
events in the future which arelikely to happen or have
a real possibility of happening.

For example, it is morning. You are at home. You plan to play tennis this afternoon. But there
are some clouds in the sky. Imagine that it rains. What will you do?

IF

condition
present simple

If

it rains

result
WILL + base verb
I will stay at home.

More Examples:
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If it rains tomorrow, I will stay at home.(I think there is a real possibility of rain tomorrow. In this condition, I will stay at home)
If my father doesn't buy me a bike for my birthday, I will be very unhappy.
(I think there is a real possibility that my father won't buy me a bike. In this condition, I
will be unhappy)
2

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If it rains this weekend, I'll stay at home
If it's sunny this weekend, I'llgo to the beach
If I have a party, will you come?
If we invite her, will she come?
If I'm sick, will you look after me?
If we eat out tonight, where will we go?
If you cook tonight, what will you make?
If you have a party, we'll come
If they do that again, I’ll be really angry!

 If you drop it, it'll break.
 If you come at ten, we'll be ready.
 If you phone me, I'll pick you up atthe park.
 We can use other modal verbs in place of will.
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If it is sunny tomorrow, I might go to the beach.
(Going to the beach is only a possibility)
If you come early, you can see my mother before she leaves.
(It is possible for you to see my mother)

Second conditional
If my parents were alive, they would be very proud
of me now.

The condition cannot be fulfilled becausehis parents are not alive.

To talk about a present situation which is impossible: a
hypothetical situation, we use the Second Conditional.

3

IF

If

condition
Past simple

result
Would + base verb

I married Mary, I would be happy.

More Examples:

 "If I were rich, I would travel around the world." (UNREAL: I’m not rich.)


If she changed her job, she would be muchhappier.
(The speaker is talking about a future event that is unlikely to happen.)

 "If I were President, I would give everyone free health care." (Obviously UNREAL: I’m not
President.)

 "If I were you, I would study hard." (Obviously UNREAL: I’m not you.)
 "If Napoleon were alive today, he would be fighting a war." (UNREAL: Napoleon is
dead.)

 "If my brother were here, he wouldbuy me a beer." (UNREAL: My brother is in Costa
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Rica.)
What would you do if you won a million dollars?
If we didn’t go to their party next week, they would be very angry.
Ann wouldn’t lend me any money if I asked her.
If I were you, I'd change my job.



If John were here, he wouldn't be very happy.

In the Present Unreal Conditional, the form "was" is not considered...