English IV

First and Second Conditional

Learning objective: talk about possible situations in the future and unlikely or unreal situations.

Conditionals

◼︎First conditional ◼︎Second conditional

Form: If + present simple, will + base form of the Form: if + past simple, would + base form of the
verb. verb.

➤This describes a possible condition and its probable ➤This describes an unlikely condition and its probable
result. In these two examples, the speaker feels that result. When the situation is less likely to happen or be
there is a real possibility that they will increase their accepted, we use the second conditional.
order and that their visitors will be late.

● if we increase our order, they’ll give us a ● If we had more money to spend, we would be
higher discount. interested, but we don’t.
● If our visitors are late, we won’t be able to
take them to the theater. ➤Sometimes the condition is logically impossible to fulfill.

● If he was the Queen of England, he’d sell

Buckingham Palace.

Conditionals and negotiating

◼︎Conditionals are often used when negotiating.

● If you give us an 8% discount, we’ll make a firm order.

● If we increased our order, they’d give us a bigger discount.

◼︎Points to remember
❍A conditional sentence has two clauses: an ‘If clause’ and a’ result clause.’
❍Either clause or both clauses can be negative: ‘ I won’t be sad if the weather isn’t good tomorrow.’
1. The position of the If clause and the main clause can be changed and we leave out the comma in the
middle of the sentence.
● I would lend him some money if he needed it.
● If he needed it, I would lend him some money.
2. We cannot use will and would in the if clause.
* If I will go to Japan, I’ll probably go to a tea ceremony.
* If I would know the answer, I would tell you.
knew
3. It is possible to use if I were rather than if I was, especially when giving advice.
● If I were the minister of finance, I’d reduce taxation.
● If I were you, I’d buy those shares now.
4. Instead of would, we can use might or could, depending on the meaning.
● If he relaxed more, he might enjoy this new challenge.
● If he wanted to, he could become CEO.

Exercises: First and Second conditional.

A. Probable or unlikely?
Look at these first conditional sentences. Do they refer to a probable future event, or an
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unlikely situation? If they refer to an unlikely situation, change them to second conditional
sentences.

0. If I win the lottery, I’ll stop working and buy a yacht.

… If I won the lottery, I would stop working and buy a yacht…..

0. I’ll put some petrol in the car if I go out this afternoon.

...probable future event…

1. Suzie will live in Beverly Hills if she can live anywhere in the world.
…….

2. If I get home from work early, I’ll take the dog for a walk.
…...

3. If James rings, I’ll tell him you’re not here.

…..

4. If the Queen rings, I’ll be too shocked to speak.

….

5. If I have a million pounds, I’ll buy a sports car.

…..

6. If it rains tomorrow, I’ll take an umbrella.

……

B. Father and son: Use the words given to make first conditional sentences including if and
will and any necessary changes.

0. you / not / brush / your / teeth / they / go / bad

...If you don’t brush your teeth, they’ll go bad ….

1. you / eat / all your vegetables / I / give / you / some dessert

…..

2. you / have / stomach ache / you / eat / too many plums

……

3. I / help / you with your homework / you / do / the washing-up?

……
4. you / not / go to bed now / you / be / tired in the morning
…..

5. your mother / be / cross / you / come home late

….

C. People imagine things that are not true

Make second conditional sentences using one expression from column A and one from
column B, using the words in brackets and putting the verbs in the correct form.
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A B

If Jenny (live) in the country he (not, get) stomach ache.

You (enjoy) France more I (tell) him the truth.
If I (be) you If people (not, fly) so much.
If my father (eat) more slowly If you (can) speak better French.
There (be) less pollution she (have) two or three dogs.

0. ….If Jenny lived in the country, she would have two or three dogs . ….

1. …

2. …

3. …

4. …

First and second conditional form and use