Trainer : Bonevy BEBY
Telephone : 00221 77 862 72 72
Conditionals
Conditionals are used to express situations and their possible outcomes or consequences. They are
structured using "if" clauses and main clauses to show the relationship between conditions and
results. Here’s a breakdown of different types of conditionals:
1. Zero Conditional
• Use: To talk about general truths or facts that are always true if the condition is met.
• Structure: If + Present Simple, Present Simple\text{If + Present Simple, Present
Simple}If + Present Simple, Present Simple
• Example:
o If water reaches 100°C, it boils.
o If you mix red and blue, you get purple.
2. First Conditional
• Use: To talk about real and possible situations in the future.
• Structure: If + Present Simple, will + Base Verb\text{If + Present Simple, will + Base
Verb}If + Present Simple, will + Base Verb
• Example:
o If it rains tomorrow, we will cancel the picnic.
o If you study hard, you will pass the exam.
3. Second Conditional
• Use: To talk about hypothetical or unlikely situations in the present or future.
• Structure: If + Past Simple, would + Base Verb\text{If + Past Simple, would + Base
Verb}If + Past Simple, would + Base Verb
• Example:
o If I won the lottery, I would travel the world.
o If she were here, she would help us. (Note: "were" is used for all subjects in formal
contexts)
4. Third Conditional
• Use: To talk about hypothetical situations in the past that did not happen and their possible
outcomes.
• Structure: If + Past Perfect, would have + Past Participle\text{If + Past Perfect, would have +
Past Participle}If + Past Perfect, would have + Past Participle
• Example:
o If I had known about the meeting, I would have attended.
o If they had left earlier, they would have caught the train.
Trainer : Bonevy BEBY
Telephone : 00221 77 862 72 72
5. Mixed Conditionals
Mixed conditionals combine different times in the "if" and main clauses, usually to show a
connection between past conditions and present results or present conditions and past results.
• Present Result of a Past Condition:
o Use: To talk about how a past condition affects the present.
o Structure: If + Past Perfect, would + Base Verb\text{If + Past Perfect, would + Base
Verb}If + Past Perfect, would + Base Verb
o Example:
▪ If I had studied harder (past), I would have a better job now (present).
• Past Result of a Present Condition:
o Use: To talk about how a present condition would have affected the past.
o Structure: If + Past Simple, would have + Past Participle\text{If + Past Simple, would
have + Past Participle}If + Past Simple, would have + Past Participle
o Example:
▪ If he were more careful now (present), he would not have made that
mistake last year (past).
6. Using Conditionals with Modal Verbs
Modal verbs can be used in conditional sentences to express different degrees of certainty, necessity,
or advice.
• Modals in the Main Clause:
o Should: To give advice or suggestions.
▪ Example:
▪ If you study more, you should pass the exam.
o Could: To express a possibility.
▪ Example:
▪ If she had more time, she could learn a new language.
o Might: To express a less certain possibility.
▪ Example:
▪ If it stops raining, we might go for a walk.
• Modals in the "If" Clause:
o Could: To suggest a possible action or result.
▪ Example:
▪ If you could lend me some money, I could buy the book.
Trainer : Bonevy BEBY
Telephone : 00221 77 862 72 72
Conditionals are versatile tools in English that allow you to discuss various scenarios and their
potential outcomes.
