CONDITIONAL CLAUSES : SECOND CONDITIONAL

CONDITIONAL CLAUSES

SECOND CONDITIONAL

We use the Second Conditional to talk about a future situation that is unlikely or impossible to happen and to give advice. It’s unreal present.

The verb in the if-clause is in the past tense; the verb in the main clause is in the conditional tense:

If someone stole my bag, I would immediately contact the police. (But I don't think that anyone will try to steal the bag. The meaning here is future.)

If I had money, I would buy a house in Monte Carlo. (But I don't have the money. The meaning here is present)

There is no difference between the first and second conditionals as far as time is concerned. The first conditional, like the second conditional refers to the present or future. The past tense in the if-clause is not a true past but a subjunctive, which indicates improbability or unreality.

Use

1.When the supposition is contrary to known facts.

"If I lived in New Karia, I wouldn't have to commute there each day." (But I don't live in Karia.)

"If I were you, I would plant some trees in your garden." (But I'm not you)

2.When we don't expect the action in the if-clause to happen:

"If I saw a ghost, I would run as fast as I could." (But I don't expect to see a ghost.)

"If I bought an Alpha Romeo, everyone would admire me." (But I don't intend to buy a car.)

Possible variations of the basic form:

Variations of the main clause might or could may be used instead of would:

If you tried again, you would succeed. (certain result)

If you tried again, you might succeed. (possible result)

If I knew her number, I could ring her up. (ability)

If he had a permit, he could get a job. (ability or permission)

The continuous conditional form may be used instead of the simple conditional form:

Salma is on holiday; she is touring Italy.

"If I were on holiday I would / might be touring Italy too."

REMEMBER REMEMBER REMEMBER

When we are using conditional type two, we are imagining a situation which is untrue. It is contrary to facts, to reality. We are in fact talking about a situation in the present and we express it with a verb in the simple past.

Situation / fact / reality:

I’m not rich. So I…….

If I were rich, I would……… In this conditional sentence I’m just imagining being rich.

I’m poor. So I…….

If I weren’t poor, I might / could / would……Again , I’m just imagining I’m not poor but in fact I’m poor.

I don’t have a passport. So I can’t travel abroad and I will stay in the “ bled “.

If I had a passport, I could / would be able to / might / would travel abroad and I wouldn’t stay in the “ bled “.

But the reality is that I will stay in the “ bled “ and I won’t / can’t travel abroad because simply I don’t have a passport.

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CONDITIONAL CLAUSES : FIRST CONDITIONAL

CONDITIONAL CLAUSES

FIRST CONDITIONAL

We use the First Conditional to talk about a future situatioon that is possible.
The verb in the if-clause is in the present tense; the verb in the main clause is in the future simple. It doesn't matter which comes first. There is usually a comma between the two clauses.

If you try very hard, you'll certainly succeed.

Jawad will be late if you don't lend him your car.

This type of sentence implies that the action is very probable.
Note that the meaning here is present or future, but the main verb in the if-clause is in a present, not future tense.

1 . Possible variations of the basic form:

Sometimes instead of if + present + future, we may have:

a)if + present + may/might (possibility)

If the climate keeps warming, the Arctic might be warm enough for swimming.

b)if + present + may (permission) or can (permission or ability)

If your documents are in order, you may/can leave at once. (permission)

If it stops raining , we can go out." (permission or ability)

c)if + present + must, should or any expression of command, request or advice.

If you want to look slim, you must/should eat less meat.

If you want to look slim, you had better eat less meat.

If you want to look slim, eat less meat.

d) When if is used to mean as / since, a variety of tenses can be used in the main clause.

2. Variations of the if-clause.

Instead of if + present tense, we can have:

a)if + present continuous, to indicate a present actions or a future arrangement.

If you are waiting for a bus (present action), you'd better join the queue.

If you are looking for Salim, you'll find him upstairs.

If you're staying for another night (future arrangement), I'll ask the manager to give you a better room.

b)if+ present perfect.

If you have finished dinner, I'll ask the waiter for the bill.

If she has written the letter, I'll post it.

If they haven't seen the museum, we'd better go there today.

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CONDITIONAL CLAUSES : ZERO CONDITIONAL

CONDITIONAL CLAUSES

ZERO CONDITIONAL

The zero conditional is used when describing situations which have automatic or habitual results : (scientific facts general or personal truths The probability of the result is 100%.)

If you heat ice, it melts." (will melt is also possible)

If there is a shortage of any product, prices of that product go up.

My parents get angry if I come home late.

As you can see, both the main clause and the if clause are in the Present Simple.

The zero conditional is often used to give instructions:

Press the button if you want a receipt.

If you want to leave a message, speak after the tone.

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