THE FIRST CONDITIONAL SENTENCE
The first conditional (also called conditional type 1) is a structure used for talking about possibilities in the present or in the future.
A first conditional sentence consists of two clauses, an "if" clause and a main clause:
IF CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE
If you study hard, you will pass the exam
If the "if" clause comes first, a comma is usually used. If the "if" clause comes second, there is no need for a comma:
MAIN CLAUSE IF CLAUSE
You will pass the exam if you study hard
The first conditional is used to talk about things which are possible in the present or the future — things which may happen:
EXAMPLE:
IF IT'S SUNNY, WE'LL GO TO THE BEACH- maybe it'll be sunny. There is a possibility.
I'LL DO THE WASHING UP IF YOU COOK THE DINNER- maybe you'll cook the dinner. There is a possibility.
DO SOME EXERCISES:
- Choose the right form of the verb
- Fill the gaps with the right verb
- Complete the gaps
THE SECOND CONDITIONAL SENTENCE
Like a first conditional, a second conditional sentence consists of two clauses, an "if" clause and a main clause:
IF CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE
IF I HAD A PLANE, I WOULD TRAVEL AROUND THE WORLD
If the "if" clause comes first, a comma is usually used. If the "if" clause comes second, there is no need for a comma:
MAIN CLAUSE IF CLAUSE
I WOULD TRAVEL AROUND THE WORLD IF I HAD A PLANE
The second conditional is used to talk about things which are unreal (not true or not possible) in the present or the future -- things which don't or won't happen:
EXAMPLES:
IF I WERE YOU, I'D GO TO THE DOCTOR- I'm not you. This is unreal.
I'D BUY A HOUSE IF I HAD A LOT OF MONEY- It's not going to happen that I'm going to have a lot of money.
DO SOME EXERCISES:
- Choose the right answer
- Complete with the right verb form
- Mix and match
- Complete the sentences
FIRST OR SECOND CONDITIONAL SENTENCES?
- Choose the right option
- Type I or II?
For information about the CONDITIONAL SENTENCES and TIME CLAUSES, Click here
Carolina Ramos González