If-sentences/Conditional clauses

Conditional sentences 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.

Exercise 1: Formulating conditionals

Complete the table below with the required items.
Type of Function/ Formulation/Forms
conditional meaning If clause Main clause
Zero
conditional
First
conditional
Second
conditional
Third
conditional

Exercise 2: Sentence completion

Complete the following sentences with the correct forms of the verbs in brackets.
1. If you (cross) the international dateline, the time (change).
2. What (you do) if you (be) the Prime Minister of Ethiopia now?
3. You will not be allowed to the meeting if you (not wear) a mask.
4. If you (heat) ice, it (melt).
5. If prices (increase), the demand for products and services (decrease).
6. My brother would have joined the company if he (graduate) with a very great
distinction.
7. If I had the time to do it, I (not hesitate) to help you with your assignment.
8. If fish (take) out of water, they (die).
9. What (you do) if you had been the principal of the school?
10. If John has time, I am sure he (help) you with compiling the report.
Exercise 3: Sentence construction
Consider the following situations and construct sentences using the correct
conditionals.
1. Last month, Selam was in a hospital for an operation. Hannah did not know this,
so she did not visit her. Thus, Hannah would say:
2. Abel wants to phone Sisay but he cannot do this because he does not know his
number. Abel says:
3. Biniam has lost his watch. He thinks that it maybe at Dagim’s house. Dagim
says:
4. I made the wrong decision by doing a lot of drugs last year. As a result, I scored
low grades in all my first-year courses. I would therefore say:

Exercise 4: What would you do if you were…?

Write a paragraph describing what you would do if you were the Premier of
Ethiopia. Begin your paragraph with:
 If I were the Premier of Ethiopia, I would make drastic changes politically,
economically and socially. To begin with, I would…