Conditionals 0 - 1 - 2

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vmbo lwoo
• Leerjaar 3

ENGLISH

ZERO CONDITIONAL

FIRST CONDITIONAL

SECOND CONDITIONAL

CONDITIONALS

WHAT? Conditionals explain a particular situation and its consequences. If this happens, then that happens.

FORM? If the sentence starts with 

the ‘if clause’, you add a comma 

You don't have to add a comma if 

you start with the main clause

ZERO CONDITIONAL

USE 

We use the zero conditional to talk about things which always happen:  General occurences, Scientific facts

FORM   

If/When + present simple , + present simple

1. If you don't water flowers,  they die.
2. When you walk in the rain, you get wet.
3. Ice melts when you heat it.
   
4. If you mix red and blue, you get purple.
5. Ali gets sick if he drinks milk.
6. If you smoke, your clothes smell bad.
7. If you put food in the fridge, it stays fresh for longer.

Examples

If you don't eat food for two days, ........

If you leave a restaurant without paying, ........

When you don't do your homework...

Little children cry .....

FIRST CONDITIONAL

USE

When we talk about specific situations which are not certain, but highly likely.  

FORM

If/When +  present simple, +  will + infinitive

                         If Juan leaves, Bella will be very sad. 

1. If you do that again, I will scream.
2. I will be surprised if she finishes the London Marathon
3. If we go out tonight, I will need money.
4. I will miss you when you move to Brazil.
5. If you don't go to the party, he will be upset.
   
6. When you get a haircut, you will look better.
7. Many workers will lose their jobs if that factory closes down.
   

Examples

If the man takes another step,

1. The penguin will hug the man
2. The penguin will jump in the air
3. The penguin will attack the man
4. The penguin will do a somersault

If the toy cat starts waving,

1. The cat will attack the toy.
2. The cat will mimic the toy.
3. The cat will run away.
4. The cat will attack its owner.

When the cat sees the dog,

1. The cat will jump on top of the dog.
2. The cat will scare the dog away.
3. The cat will run away.
4. The cat will lock the door.

SECOND CONDITIONAL

USE 

When we talk about events that are unlikely to happen.

Also,  to give advice: "If I were you, I would..."

FORM 

If + past simple, + would + infinitive

 

1. I would buy a new car if I won the lottery.
2. If I were you, I would quit smoking.
3. If I saw a ghost, I would run away.
4. I would fly to the moon if I had a spaceship.
5. They would stay longer if they had more time.
   
6. My stomach would explode if I ate 2000 fries.
   
7. If I had a time travel machine, I would visit the whole world in one day
   

Examples

If I won the lottery, ...

If I were a boy/girl, ...

I would be extremely scared ...

I would move to Mars ...

Highlight which conditional is used:

Exercise key

1. If you don't eat, you get sick.                                                                : zero conditional
2. I would be very frightened if somebody pointed a gun at me. :  second conditional
3. We will go to the beach if the weather is good.                               : first conditional
4. If I don't go to the party, they will be offended.                               : first conditional
5. You go to the doctor if you feel sick.                                                    : zero conditional