Conditionals There are several structures in English that are called Conditionals. Condition means "situation or circumstance"...
Conditionals
There are several structures in English that are called Conditionals.
Condition means "situation or circumstance". If a particular condition is true, then a particular result happens.
There are three basic conditionalsthat we use very often. There are others that we don't use so often.
Conditional Sentences are also known as Conditional Clauses or If Clauses. They are used to express that the action in the main clause (without if) can only take place if a certain condition (in the clause with if) is fulfilled. There are three types of Conditional Sentences.
First Conditional: real possibility
We are talking about the future. We are thinking about a particular condition or situation in the future, and the result of this condition. There is a real possibility that this condition will happen.
Form: if + Simple Present, will-Future
Example: If I find her address, I’ll send her an invitation.
For example, it is morning. You are at home. You plan to play tennis this afternoon. But there are some clouds in the sky. Imagine that it rains. What will you do?
Second Conditional: unreal possibility or dream
The second conditional is like the first conditional. We are still thinking about the future. We are thinking about a particular condition in the future, and the result of this condition. But there is not a real possibility that this condition will happen. For example, you do not have a lottery ticket. Is it possible to win? No! No lottery ticket, no win! But maybe you will buy a lottery ticket in the future. So you can think about winning in the future, like a dream. It's not very real, but it's still possible.
Third Conditional: no possibility
The first conditional and second conditionals talk about the future. With the third conditional we talk about the past. We talk about a condition in the past that didnot happen. That is why there is no possibility for this condition. The third conditional is also like a dream, but with no possibility of the dream coming true.
Last week you bought a lottery ticket. But you did not win.
Try these exercises:
http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verbs-conditional_quiz.htm
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/tests/conditional-sentences-4
There are several structures in English that are called Conditionals.
Condition means "situation or circumstance". If a particular condition is true, then a particular result happens.
There are three basic conditionalsthat we use very often. There are others that we don't use so often.
Conditional Sentences are also known as Conditional Clauses or If Clauses. They are used to express that the action in the main clause (without if) can only take place if a certain condition (in the clause with if) is fulfilled. There are three types of Conditional Sentences.
First Conditional: real possibility
We are talking about the future. We are thinking about a particular condition or situation in the future, and the result of this condition. There is a real possibility that this condition will happen.
Example: If I find her address, I’ll send her an invitation.
For example, it is morning. You are at home. You plan to play tennis this afternoon. But there are some clouds in the sky. Imagine that it rains. What will you do?
IF
|
condition
|
result
|
present simple
|
WILL + base verb
| |
If
|
it rains
|
I will stay at home.
|
The second conditional is like the first conditional. We are still thinking about the future. We are thinking about a particular condition in the future, and the result of this condition. But there is not a real possibility that this condition will happen. For example, you do not have a lottery ticket. Is it possible to win? No! No lottery ticket, no win! But maybe you will buy a lottery ticket in the future. So you can think about winning in the future, like a dream. It's not very real, but it's still possible.
IF
|
condition
|
result
|
past simple
|
WOULD + base verb
| |
If
|
I won the lottery
|
I would buy a car.
|
The first conditional and second conditionals talk about the future. With the third conditional we talk about the past. We talk about a condition in the past that didnot happen. That is why there is no possibility for this condition. The third conditional is also like a dream, but with no possibility of the dream coming true.
Last week you bought a lottery ticket. But you did not win.
condition
|
result
| |
Past Perfect
|
WOULD HAVE + Past Participle
| |
If
|
I had won the lottery
|
I would have bought a car.
|
http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verbs-conditional_quiz.htm
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/tests/conditional-sentences-4
