Real conditionals

1. Type 0 conditionals are used to express something which is always true. The simple present tense of the indicative mood is used in both clauses to describe habitual or regularly occurring actions. ‘When’ can be used instead of ‘if’.

(If + S + V(s)), [S + V(s)]

E.g. (If the sun shines), [snow melts]. =

(When the sun shines), [snow melts].

California is a fine place to live--if you happen to be an orange. (Fred Allen)

Ex. 1 Match the items in column A with those in column B in order to make correct Type 0 conditional sentences, as in the example:

1 - c If you add sugar to a cup of coffee, the coffee tastes sweeter.

1. Add sugar to a cup of coffee. a) The apple floats

2. Throw salt onto snow. b) Your skin turns red.

3. Put an apple in a bowl of water. c) The coffee tasts sweeter

4. Water plants regularly. d) You feel healthy.

5. Lie in the sun too long. e) The plants grow.

6. Take regular exercise. f) The snow melts.

Ex. 2 On what condition do you feel happy, bored, excited, stressed, satisfied, angry, scared?

2. Type 1 conditionals are used to express real or very probable situations in the present or future.

This type of sentence implies that the action in the ‘if-clause’ is real or quite probable and as a result the action in the main clause is also likely to happen. In Type 1 conditionals the indicative mood and the imperative mood may be used. The verb in the ‘if-clause’ is usually in the present simple indicative; the verb in the main clause is in the future simple indicative. It doesn’t matter which clause comes first but when the ‘if-clause’ comes before the main, they are separated with a comma. (If + S + V(s)), [S + will V].

E.g. (If you don’t study hard) , [you won’t pass your exams]. ↓ ↓

present simple future simple

indicative indicative

[You won’t pass your exams] (if you don’t study hard).

BE CAREFUL! Don’t use the future simple in the ‘if-clause’.

If he doesn’t pay the fine, he will go to prison. (If he won’t pay …)

The cat will scratch you if you pull her tail. (…if you will pull …)

Ex. 3 Match the sentence beginnings and ends to express the idea that children will learn what they live.

E.g.:If children live with criticism they will learn to be shy.

1. tolerance, ... a) to fight

2. hostility, ... b) to be patient.

3. shame, ... c) to have faith.

4. encouragement, … d) justice.

5. approval, ... e) to feel guilty

6. security, ... f) confidence

7. fairness, ... g) to like themselves

8. acceptance and friendship, ... h) to find love in the world

Ex. 4 Use the prompts to make Type 1 conditionals as in the example.

e.g.: If we cut down all the forests, the world’s climate will change.

1. not stop/ use/ aerosols/ destroy/ ozone layer

2. find/ alternative sources of energy/ solve/ some of our environmental problems

3. temperatures/ go up/ by a few degrees/ sea leaves/ rise

4. recycle/ waste/ save/ natural resources

5. population/ continue to increase/ not be enough food for everyone

Ex. 5 On what condition do you think our life will get better?

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