Mastering Conditionals: Form, Types, and Usage

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

Mastering Conditionals: Form, Types, and Usage

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to identify the different types of conditionals, form them correctly, and know when to use them.

Introduce the class to the topic and set expectations for the lesson.

What do you already know about conditionals?

What are conditionals?

Conditionals are sentences that express a hypothetical situation and the consequences that may or may not happen if the condition is met.

Explain the concept of conditionals and provide examples.

Zero Conditional

This type of conditional is used to talk about things that are always true or scientific facts.

It is formed with 'if + present simple, present simple.'

 'If you heat water, it boils.'

Explain the structure and usage of zero conditional.

First Conditional

This type of conditional is used to talk about real and possible situations in the future.

It is formed with 'if + present simple, will + base verb.'

'If it rains, I will stay at home.'

Explain the structure and usage of first conditional.

Second Conditional

This type of conditional is used to talk about unreal or hypothetical situations in the present or future.

It is formed with 'if + past simple, would + base verb.'

'If I won the lottery, I would travel around the world.'

Explain the structure and usage of second conditional.

Third Conditional

This type of conditional is used to talk about hypothetical situations in the past. It is formed with 'if + past perfect, would have + past participle.'

 'If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.'

Explain the structure and usage of third conditional.

Mixed Conditionals

This type of conditional combines the structure of different conditionals to express complex ideas.

'If I had known you were in town, I would be meeting you.'

Explain the structure and usage of mixed conditionals.

Conditional Clauses

Conditional clauses can be placed at the beginning or the end of a sentence.

When the conditional clause comes first, we use a comma to separate it from the main clause.

'If I have time, I will call you.'

When the conditional clause comes second, we do not use a comma.

 'I will call you if I have time.'

Explain the placement of conditional clauses and provide examples.

Modal Verbs

Modal verbs such as should, could, might, and would can be used in conditional sentences to express degrees of possibility, advice, or polite requests.

'If it rains, you should stay at home.'

Explain the usage of modal verbs in conditional sentences and provide examples.

What is the correct form of a first conditional sentence?

1. If + present perfect, will + infinitive
2. If + past simple, would + infinitive
3. If + past perfect, would + have + past participle
4. If + present simple, will + infinitive

If you ___________ (not be) here, I would be alone.

1. will not be
2. had not been
3. were not
4. was not

If she ___________ (study) harder, she would have passed the exam.

1. studied
2. will study
3. had studied
4. has studied

If it ___________ (rain), we'll stay inside.

1. rained
2. will rain
3. rains
4. had rained

If I had known about the party, I ___________ (come) earlier.

1. had come
2. came
3. would have come
4. will come

Think of a real-life situation where you could use a conditional sentence. Which conditional did you use?

Watch a video that uses conditionals 'If I Could Turn Back Time' by Cher. Discuss the use of conditionals in the lyrics and the message of the song.

What is the difference between a zero conditional and a first conditional sentence?

1. A zero conditional can be used with any verb tense, while a first conditional can only be used with the present simple.
2. A zero conditional is used to talk about hypothetical situations in the present, while a first conditional is used to talk about hypothetical situations in the past.
3. A zero conditional is used to describe facts, while a first conditional is used to talk about possible future situations.
4. A zero conditional uses the present simple in both clauses, while a first conditional uses the past simple in the if-clause.

What is the correct form of a second conditional sentence?

1. If + past simple, would + infinitive
2. If + present simple, present simple
3. If + past perfect, would + have + past participle
4. If + present perfect, will + infinitive

What is the correct form of a third conditional sentence?

1. If + past perfect, would + have + past participle
2. If + present simple, present simple
3. If + past simple, would + infinitive
4. If + present perfect, will + infinitive

Conditional Resources

Here are some useful websites

- English Page: Conditionals

- Perfect English Grammar: Conditionals

- British Council: Learn English Teens

- ESL Games Plus: Conditional Sentences

Provide additional resources for students who want to further their understanding of conditionals.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

How well do you understand after this lesson?

I understood everything before this lesson.

I understand better after this lesson.

It's still hard, but I'll get it in time.

I understand, but need to practise more.

I 'm absolutely clueless.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.

Please, rate this lesson 1 to 10.

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