Conditionals - Jesús Valle Furtado

Flowchart nodes

• Conditionals

• Zero Conditional

• First Conditional

• Second Conditional

• Third Conditional

• Estructure: Present simple  -  Present simple

• Always happens. Universal knowledge

• Example: If you heat water at 100ºC, it boils  

• Estructure: Present simple   -   Future (Will)

• Estructure: Past simple   -   Would (+ infinitive)

• Estructure: Past perfect   -   Would have (+ participle)

• It is possible that it happpens

• It is little possible that it happens

• It can not happen

• Example: If you study, you will pass your exams  

• Example: If I won the lottery, Iwould travel to Rome  

• Example: If I had done that, I would have passed  

• We use the zero conditional when we are 100% sure of a fact (scientific)

• We use the first conditional: - To discuss possible or probable future events. - To make promises and give warnings.

• We use the second conditional: - To discuss imaginary situations in the present. - To discuss imaginary or improbable events in the future.

• We use the third conditional to discuss hypothetical past events (which didn't happen)

• Conditionals with modals

• as long as, even if, providing that, unless

• We can use unless to mean if...not in negative conditional setences.

• We can use even if instead of if to show that the result will not be affected by the condition.

• We can use providing that or as long as (usually in first conditional setences) to mean but only if.

• Example: Crime levels will continue to fall as long as we keep the same number of police officers.  

• Example: We'll be late unless we leave now  

• Example: The workers will strike even if their wages are increased.  

• Second conditional

• First conditional

• Third conditional

• - Ability: could have - Possibility: might have

• - Ability: could - Possibility: might/could - Permission: could

• - Possibility: may/might - Permission: can - Obligation: must - Suggestion: Should