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Conditional Explanation

There are 3 main conditional structures in English grammar: 1) The first conditional refers to possible future events and is used with "if + present" and "future tense". 2) The second conditional refers to hypothetical or unlikely present/future situations and is used with "if + past simple" and "would/could/might + infinitive". 3) The third conditional refers to hypothetical past situations and is used with "if + past perfect" and "would/could/might/perfect infinitive". It expresses regret or wishes about the past.

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86 views2 pages

Conditional Explanation

There are 3 main conditional structures in English grammar: 1) The first conditional refers to possible future events and is used with "if + present" and "future tense". 2) The second conditional refers to hypothetical or unlikely present/future situations and is used with "if + past simple" and "would/could/might + infinitive". 3) The third conditional refers to hypothetical past situations and is used with "if + past perfect" and "would/could/might/perfect infinitive". It expresses regret or wishes about the past.

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Bakhitah Nrl
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Grammar notes!

There are 3 main types of conditional. These are usually described as the First, Second, and
Third Conditionals.
The first Conditional.
Form

If + present simple Future


If you drop it, it’ll break.
If you came at ten, we’ll be ready.
If you phone me, I’ll pick you up at the park.

Or future if + present simple


It’ll break if you drop it.
We’ll be ready if you come at ten.
I’ll pick you up later if you phone me.

U S E:
 The first Conditional refers to the future. It is used when there is a possibility that the if-
event might happen.
If it rains, we’ll go to the cinema (= it might rain; it might not)
If the sun shines, we’ll go to the beach (= the sun might shine; it might not).
 Going to is sometimes used in the first conditional to describe a future plan:
If it rains, we’re going to my mother.

The second Conditional


Form

If + past simple would/could/might + infinitive


If I lived by the sea, I would do a lot of swimming
If they asked me to work for them I might accept
If I were you, I’d change my job
If john were here, he wouldn’t be very happy.

Or would/could/might + infinitive if + past simple


I would do a lot of swimming if I lived by the sea.
I might accept if they asked me to work for them.
U S E:
 The second conditional refers to the present or future. The if-event is either.
 Hypothetical:
If I worked in that factory, I’d soon change these things. (but I don’t work in that factory)
If I spoke French, my job would be a lot easier.(but I don’t speak French)

 Unlikely:
If she left her husband, she might be happier. (but I think she’s not going to leave her
husband)

Examples :
a. If I had a lot of money, I would buy a luxurious car.
(Reality: you don’t have a lot of money, so you don’t buy a luxurious car).

b. If I were Bill Gate, I would give a computer to every student in the world.
(Reality: you are not Bill Gate, so you don’t give a computer to every student in the
world).

c. If I were the director, I would appoint tou as executive secretary.


(Reality: you are not the director, so you don’t appoint me as executive secretary).

The Third Conditional


Form

If + past perfect would/could/might/perfect infinitive


If I had met you earlier, I wouldn’t have married Jo.
If I’d worked harder, I would have passed the exam.
Or would/could/might/perfect infinitive if + past perfect
I wouldn’t have married Jo if I’d met you earlier
I would have passed the exam if I’d worked harder

U S E:
 The third Conditional refers to the past (it is sometimes called the past conditional):
I’d have warned you if I’d seen you last week. (but I didn’t see you, so I didn’t warn you).
If I’d passed my exams I would have gone to Art College (but I didn’t pass any exams, so I
didn’t go to Art College).
Examples:
1) If he had known your phone number, he would have called you.
(Reality: he didn’t know your phone number, so he didn’t call you).

2) If she hadn’t driver her car carelessly, she wouldn’t have had the accident.
(Reality: she drove her car carelessly, she had the accident).

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