CONDITIONAL SENTENCE- KNOW THE USAGE

Conditional 1

Do you know how to use the zero, first and second conditionals?

Look at these examples to ascertain how zero, first and second conditionals are used.

If you freeze water, it becomes solid.

If it rains tomorrow, I'll take the car.

If I lived closer to the cinema, i might go more often.

Try this exercise to test your grammar

Grammar explanation

Conditionals describe the result of a certain condition. The if clause tells you the condition (If you study hard) and therefore the independent clause tells you the result (you will pass your exams). The order of the clauses doesn't change the meaning.

If you study hard, you'll pass your exams.

You will pass your exams if you study hard.

Conditional sentences are often divided into different types.

Zero conditional

We use the zero conditional to speak about things that are generally true, especially for laws and rules.

If I drink an excessive amount of coffee, i can not sleep in the dark .

Ice melts if you heat it.

When the sun goes down, it gets dark.

The structure is:

If/When + present simple >> present simple.

First conditional

We use the primary conditional once we mention future situations we believe are real or possible.

If it doesn't rain tomorrow, we'll attend the beach.

Arsenal are going to be top of the league if they win.

When I finish work, I'll call you.

In first conditional sentences, the structure is usually: if/when + present simple >> will + infinitive. 

It is also common to use this structure with unless, as long as, as soon as or just in case rather than if.

I'll leave as soon as the babysitter arrives.

I don't want to remain in London unless i buy a well-paid job.

I'll offer you a key just in case I'm not reception .

You can attend the party, as long as you're back by midnight.

Second conditional

The second conditional is employed to imagine present or future situations that are impossible or unlikely actually .

If we had a garden, we could have a cat.

If I won tons of cash , I'd buy an enormous house within the country.

I wouldn't worry if I were you.

The structure is typically if + past simple >> + would + infinitive. 

When if is followed by the verb be, it's grammatically correct to mention if I were, if he were, if she were and if it were. However, it's also common to listen to these structures with was, especially within the he/she form.

If I were you, I wouldn't mention it.

If she was prime minister, she would invest extra money in schools.

He would travel more if he was younger.