Conditionals (If-zinnen) - Types 1&2

• Engels
• MBO
• Studiejaar 1-3

Conditionals (if-zinnen)

Types 1 & 2

Agenda

• When do we use conditionals? 
• Type 1 (certain)
• Type 2 (probable result) 

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). THINK: Cause-Effect

• We use conditionals all. the. time. in English, so this is an important grammar skill to master! It allows you to talk about how actions/events are linked. 

Type 1: Always True

• Used to talk about something that happens (present simple) and its result (future simple). 

• NOTE: these 2 clauses can go in either order

Clause 1 ( present simple )	Clause 2 ( future simple )
If this thing happens	then this other thing will happen

Type 1 Examples

• If you help me, I will help you.
• If it rains today, I will get wet.
• My parents will give me a gift if I pass my exams. 
• You will get dehydrated if you do not drink enough water. 

Time to practice!

• The next few slides are practice questions. 
• Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb. 
• Remember: each sentence must have 1 verb in the Present Simple and 1 verb in the Future Simple.

If the shop ______ (to be) open, I will buy a souvenir.

1. was
2. is
3. are
4. been

If he _____ (to have) the answer, then he will help me.

1. has
2. have
3. had
4. will have

If she needs a computer, then she _____ (to use) her brother's.

1. uses
2. used
3. will use
4. will used

If we do not have time today, then we _____ (to meet) tomorrow.

1. meets
2. met
3. have met
4. will meet

I _____ (to give) you 5 euros, if you ____ (to win) the bet

1. give; win
2. will give; won
3. will give; win
4. give; will win

If you ____ (to work) for 3 hours, you ____ (to make) 50 euros.

1. will work; make
2. work; will make
3. worked; will make
4. will work; have made

Write a your own sentence!

Example: If you write a sentence, I will be happy.

Type 2: Probable Result

• Used to talk about a hypothetical condition (past simple) and its probable result (modal verb + verb). 

• NOTE: these 2 clauses can go in either order

Clause 1 ( past simple )	Clause 2 ( modal verb + verb )
If this thing happened	then this other thing would* happen

Modal Verbs

• Modal verbs are used to express possible/uncertain/unreal situations: advice, obligation, likelihood, ability, permission, suggestion, request, capacity. 

• Modal verbs include: can, could, have to, may, might, must, need to, should, will, would

• Type 2 conditionals usually use WOULD as the modal verb, but others can also be used. 

Type 2: Probable Result

• Used to talk about a hypothetical condition (past simple) and its probable result (modal verb + verb). 

• NOTE: these 2 clauses can go in either order

Clause 1 ( past simple )	Clause 2 ( modal verb + verb )
If this thing happened	then this other thing would* happen

Type 2 Examples

• If you went to bed earlier, you would not be so tired.
• If it rained, you would get wet.
• If I spoke Italian, I would work in Italy.
• She wouldn't live with Jack if she lived with her parents. 
• You wouldn't smile if you knew the truth. 

Time to practice!

• The next few slides are practice questions. 
• Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb. 
• Remember: each sentence must have 1 verb in the Past Simple and 1 verb that's modal + verb.

If the shop _____ (to be) open, I would buy a souvenir.

1. was
2. is
3. are
4. has been

If he _____ (to have) the answer, then he would help me.

1. have
2. has
3. would have
4. had

If she needed a computer, then she ________ (to use) her brother's.

1. uses
2. has used
3. would use
4. used

I _____ (to give) you 5 euros, if you won the bet.

1. would give
2. would gave
3. would gives
4. would given

If you ______ (to work) for 3 hours, you _____ (to make) 50 euros.

1. would work, make
2. works, would make
3. would work, made
4. worked, would make

If I ____ (to go) to the movies, I _____ (to buy) popcorn.

1. would go, bought
2. went, would buy
3. went, bought
4. had gone, would buy

Write a your own sentence!

Example: If you wrote a sentence, I would be happy.

Lesson summary

• Type 1 conditionals: always true
•     If this thing happens, then this other thing will happen. 

• Type 2 conditionals: probable results
•    If this thing happened, then this other thing would happen.