CONDITIONALS

We use conditional sentences to say one thing depends on another. They can be
used to talk about real or imaginary situations. One of the clauses starts with if (or
a similar word) – this is the conditional clause. The other clause talks about the
result of the conditional clause happening.

If- clause Main clause

(condition) (result)
Zero conditional If I drink coffee at night I don’t sleep well
Used for present
real/factual situations,
scientific facts.
Structure IF+ PRONOUN + PRONOUN + PRESENT
PRESENT SIMPLE + SIMPLE
First conditional If I drink coffee tonight I won’t sleep well
Used for future real/
factual situations
Structure IF+ PRONOUN+ PRONOUN + WILL/
PRESENT SIMPLE+ WON’T + VERB
Second conditional If I drank coffee tonight I wouldn’t sleep well
Used for present or
future unreal, imaginary
situations
Structure IF+PRONOUN + PAST PRONOUN + WOULD/
SIMPLE+ WOULDN’T+ VERB
Third conditional If I had drunk coffee I wouldn’t have slept
Used for past unreal, tonight well
imaginary situations
Structure IF+ PRONOUN+ PAST PRONOUN + WOULD
PERFECT HAVE+ PAST
PARTICIPLE

Modal verbs you can use too:

WOULD = COULD= MIGHT
IF= UNLESS = AS LONG AS
Exercise 1
Match the two parts of the sentence
If you fancy a chat I’ll go next door and complain
unless I have to babysit we could have a dog,
I would go to Iceland you might need to buy new ones.
if you don’t keep in the freezer. If I ate that.

If they don’t stop that noise, __________________________________________

If I had enough money for a holiday, ____________________________________
If you can repair your headphones, _____________________________________
I would be ill, _______________________________________________________
If we had more space at home, _________________________________________
Ice cream melts, ____________________________________________________
I’ll see you on Saturday night, __________________________________________
Call me, ___________________________________________________________

Exercise 2.
Choose the correct verb form to complete the conditionals sentences
If the bus is late, I ___________ late for school
 I will be would be was
I will phone Charlie from home later if I _________________
 Remembered remember will remember
If I go to the shops this afternoon, I _______________ some chocolate for you
 Buy will buy would buy
If I _________ enough money, you know I would lend it to you
 Have would had
I __________ borrow my parents’ car if I had my driving license
 Can could will
I ______________ tell anyone if you tell me
 Wouldn’t won’t not
If there’s any cake left, I ____________ another piece
 Had would have will have
If you had three wishes, what ___________ you wish for?
 Did would will

Exercise 3.
Write one word to fill each gap

If I ___________ enough money, I’d buy a car

If I ___________ to Dan’s party, I’ll call you
I ________________ sleep better if I didn’t have to share a room
_________ you call me when you get here?
If I __________ have a too much homework to do this weekend, I’ll come with you
I’d _______really bored without my phone!
If you ____________ regular exercise, you’ll feel a lot better
You don’t need to call me unless you __________a problem