Conditionals

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• mavo
• Leerjaar 4

When do we use conditionals?

• Conditionals are also called if-then sentences or if-zinnen. 
• Used to talk about what will happen (certain) or what could happen (probable result).

• We use conditionals all the time. in English, so this is an important grammar skill to master! It allows you to talk about cause and effect. 

Zero Conditional

first conditional

Second Conditional

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If you _______ well tonight, you won't be tired tomorrow.

1. sleep
2. will sleep
3. slept
4. would sleep

If I were you, I _______ an umbrella.

1. will take
2. would take
3. take
4. took

If Dad drove me to school, I _______ late.

1. won't be
2. be
3. wasn't
4. wouldn't be

What will you do if she _______ you?

1. won't call
2. doesn't call
3. wouldn't call
4. didn't call

My boss will be angry if I ________________ (not finish) my work.

If you like this book, I __________________________ (give) it to you.

Will they go to the beach if the weather________________ (be) good?

Gayle won't help if you _________________ (not ask) her.

Conditionals general rules

Two parts - the if-clause and the main clause

• If-clause can be first or second
• When the if-clause comes first, it's followed by a comma

• If I go to bed early, I will feel well-rested.
• I will feel well-rested if I go to bed early.

Conditionals general rules

• 0 - facts / generally true
• 1 - (very) likely to happen in the future

• 2 - unlikely to happen in the future / imaginary in present
• 3 - untrue in the past 

Zero conditional

• Things that are generally true / facts
• if-clause: if + present simple
• main clause: present simple

• If water reaches a 100°C, it boils.
• If it rains, you get wet.
• I go to bed early if I don't feel well.

First conditional

• Things that are possible in the future + results
• if-clause: if + present simple
• main clause: will + infinitive (without to)

• If I see the book, I will buy it.
• Will you tell me if Anna calls?
• If you climb that tree, you will hurt yourself.

Second conditional

• Things that are unlikely to happen / are imaginary
• if-clause: if + past simple
• main clause: would + infinitive (without to)
  

• If I won the lottery, I would buy a house.
• I would say hello if I met the queen of England.
• If she were rich, she would travel all over the world.

How do you form the first conditional?

And the second conditional?

Zero conditional

First conditional

Second conditional

Facts

Things that are generally true

Things that are possible in the future

Things that are unlikely to happen

Things that

are imaginary

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