Objective 12: Conditionals (if...
1. Zero Conditional: certainty
We use the so-called Zero Conditional when the result of the condition is always true, like a
scientific fact. Example: Take some ice. Put it in a saucepan. Heat the saucepan. What happens?
The ice melts (it becomes water). You would be surprised if it did not.
IF condition result
present simple present simple
If you heat ice it melts.
Notice that we are thinking about a result that is always true for this condition. The result of the
condition is an absolute certainty. The important thing about the zero conditional is that the condition
always has the same result.
2. First Conditional: A real possibility in the future
A First Conditional sentence is one connecting two possible future actions, where one must take place
before the second is possible.
IF Condition Result
present simple WILL + base verb
If She gets good marks, She will go to university.
We are talking about the future, but we use the present tense for the condition and the ‘will’ future tense
for the result. In this case, the person is sure about going to university.
If you don’t want it, I’ll have it.
If they are late, we’ll start without them.
If he drives too fast, he’ll have an accident.
If we don’t set off soon, we’ll arrive after the film starts.
We also use the first conditional to give someone advice, to make a suggestion or a request or to give
someone an order.
If you don’t tidy your room, I’ll take away your Gameboy.
If you don’t mind, I’ll close the window as I’m rather cold.
3. Second Conditional: Imaginary Present or Unlikely Future
The Second Conditional can be used to talk about imaginary present situations, where we are imagining
something different from what is really the case. We can also use it to talk about things in the future that
are unlikely to happen, as the condition is unlikely to be met. We use the past tense in the condition part
and would for the result.
IF Condition Time Result Possibility
past simple present WOULD + base verb impossible
If I had the time, I would learn Italian. I don't have the time, so I'm not going to learn Italian.
past simple future WOULD + base verb unlikely
I won the I would travel around the There's a very small chance of winning the lottery, so
If lottery, world. the trip is unlikely
If I were younger, I would go and live in a different country.
If we had more money, we would buy a new house.
If she passed her exams, she would go to university.
If they saved more money, they would be able to buy a new car.
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4. Third Conditional: Imaginary Past
The Third Conditional is used when we are talking about the past and imagining something different
from what actually happened:
Condition Result What actually happened
Past Perfect WOULD HAVE + Past Participle
If I had known, I would have helped. I didn't know and didn't help.
If I hadn’t gone to bed so late, I would have woken up in time for my flight.
If she hadn’t eaten all that chocolate, she would have had very good skin.
If they had saved more money, they would have had enough to buy a new car.
If we hadn’t missed the plane, we would have been on holiday now.
Objective 12: Conditionals - Practice A
1. If people were a little more tolerant, ___________________________________.
a- our world would have been a better place
b- our world would be a better place.
c- our world will be a better place
2. If my father had locked his car properly, ___________________________________. a-
his car would never have been stolen.
b- his car will not be stolen. c-
his car would not be stolen.
3. If the ozone layer disappears a little more, we ___________________________________. a-
ran a much higher risk of attracting skin cancer.
b- would run a much higher risk of attracting skin cancer.
c- will run a much higher risk of attracting skin cancer.
4. I would never feel comfortable on a plane if ___________________________________. a-
I know it's the pilot's first time to fly a plane.
b- I knew it was the pilot's first time to fly a plane.
c- I would know that it's the pilot's first time to fly a plane.
5. A dog will never bite you if ___________________________________.
a- you will look it straight in the eyes.
b- you look it straight in the eyes.
c- you looked it straight in the eyes.
6. The first thing I will do is drive to Spain if
___________________________________.
a- I would get my driving license.
b- I got my driving license.
c- I get my driving license.
7. If John hadn't responded in such an aggressive manner, he
____________________________.
a- will never have had a black eye.
b- won't have a black eye.
c- would never have had a black eye.
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EmSAT Grammar Study Guide 2017/2018
Objective 12: Conditionals - Practice B
Complete the Conditional Sentences (Type I, II or III) by putting the verbs into the correct form.
1. If they (have) _____________ time at the weekend, they will come to see us.
2. If we sneak out quietly, nobody (notice) __________________.
3. If we (know) _________________ about your problem, we would have helped you.
4. If I (be) ____________________ you, I would not buy that dress.
5. We (arrive) _________________ earlier if we had not missed the bus.
6. If I didn't have a mobile phone, my life (not / be) ________________ complete.
7. Okay, I (get) _________________ the popcorn if you buy the drinks.
8. If I (tell) _________________ you a secret, you would tell everybody.
9. She (help) _______________ you if you had only asked her.
10. I would not have read your diary if you (not hide) _________________ it in such an obvious place.
Complete the Conditional Sentences with the correct form (Type I, II or III).
1. If I _______________ stronger, I'd help you carry the piano.
a- am b- will be c- were d- had been
2. If we'd seen you, we _____________________
a- stop b- will stop c- stopped d- would have stopped
3. If we __________________ him tomorrow, we'll say hello.
a- meet b- will meet c- met d- had met
4. He would have repaired the car himself if he _________________ the tools.
a- has b- will have c- had d- had had
5. If you drop the vase, it _________________________
a- breaks b- will break c- broke d- had broken
6. If I hadn't studied, I _____________________ the exam.
a- do not pass b- will pass c- had not pass d- wouldn’t have passed
7. I wouldn't go to school by bus if I ____________________ a driving license.
a- have b- had had c- will have d- had
8. I ______________________ to London if I don't get a cheap flight.
a- don’t travel b- won’t travel c- didn’t travel d- wouldn’t travel
9. We'd be stupid if we _________________ him about our secret.
a- tell b- told c- will tell d- had told
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