UNIT 8

CONDITIONAL CLAUSES
What are conditionals in English grammar?

Sometimes we call them 'if clauses'. They describe the result of something that might happen (in the
present or future) or might have happened but didn't (in the past). They are made using different English
verb tenses.

There are 4 main types of if sentences in English:

1.1 ZERO CONDITIONAL (THE LOGICAL CONDITIONAL)

The zero conditional is used to talk about things which are always true -- scientific facts, general truths,
things which always happen under certain conditions.

if clause main clause

If + Present Simple Present Simple

If you heat the water to 100 degrees, it boils.

If you press this button, The computer turns on.

* We can put the 'if' at the beginning, or in the middle. It doesn't matter at all.

Example: The computer turns on, if you press the button.

1.2 FIRST CONDITIONAL (THE PROBABLE FUTURE CONDITIONAL)

The first conditional is used to talk about possibilities or situations which are possible in the present or
the future; things which may happen.

if clause main clause

If + Present Simple Future Simple (Will) + Infinitive

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Unit 8 Inglés Técnico II

 If you study hard, you will pass the test.

If the weather is fine, We will go to the beach.

* First vs. Zero Conditional

The first conditional describes a particular situation, whereas the zero conditional describes what
happens in general.


For example (zero conditional): if you sit in the sun, you get burned (here I'm talking about every time
a person sits in the sun - the burning is a natural consequence of the sitting)
But (first conditional): if you sit in the sun, you'll get burned (here I'm talking about what will happen
today, another day might be different)

1.3 SECOND CONDITIONAL (THE HYPOTHETICAL CONDITIONAL)

The second conditional is used to talk about things or situations which are unreal (not true or not
possible) in the present or the future -- things which don't or won't happen.

if clause main clause

If + Past Simple Would + Infinitive

If I had a million dollars, I would buy a big house.

If my parents were alive, They would be very proud of me.

* How is this different from the first conditional?

This kind of conditional sentence is different from the first conditional because this is a lot more unlikely.



For example (second conditional): If I had enough money I would buy a house. (I'm probably not going
to have this much money, it's just a dream, not very real)
But (first conditional): If I have enough money, I'll buy a house (It's much more likely that I will have
enough money to buy a house)

1.4 THIRD CONDITIONAL (THE PAST CONDITIONAL)

The third conditional is used to talk about things which DID NOT HAPPEN in the past. It is often used to
express criticism or regret.

if clause main clause

If + Past Perfect Would + have + Past Participle

If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.

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If she had married him She would have been very happy.

Unit 8 Inglés Técnico II

Example 1: I failed the exam, because I didn’t study hard enough.
Example 2: She is not happy now because she didn’t married him in the past.

IMPORTANT: If the "if" clause comes first, a comma is usually used. If the "if" clause comes second,
there is no need for a comma:
Water boils if you heat it to 100 degrees.
You will pass the test if you study hard.
I would buy a big house if I had a million dollars.
I would have passed the exam if I had studied harder

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Unit 8 Inglés Técnico II