Focus on Grammar Conditionals

a) Zero conditional

We can talk about general facts that are always true using an if sentence. This kind of sentences has the present tense in both parts;

If+ present tense Present tense

If the price of a product falls, demand for it usually rises.

In statements like this, if means the same as when or every time. This is sometimes called “zero conditional”.

b) First conditional

When we talk about the result of future events that are reasonably likely, we can use an if sentence. The if clause sates the condition, and the other clause states the result.

Condition Result

If+ present tense will+ bare infinitive

If you give me an extra day’s holiday, I’ll work this weekend.

The if clause can come in the first part of the sentence or the second:

If the government raises taxes in the next budget, consumer selling will fall.

Consumer spending will fall if the government raises taxes in the next budget.

Common mistakes: We do not use will in the if part of the sentence:

wrong: * If the shipment will arrive tomorrow, I will collect it.

right: If the shipment arrives tomorrow, I will collect it.

c) Second conditional

The second conditional is formed by using if+ past tense and would (‘d) + bare infinitive:

If + past tense would/’d + infinitive

If I had this mobile number, I’d phone him.

Common mistakes:

We do not use would in the if part of the sentence:

wrong: right:

* If trains would be more reliable, more people would use them. If trains were more reliable, more people would use them.

The if clause can came in the first part of the sentence, or the second:

If I had his mobile number, I’d phone him.

I’d phone him if had his mobile number.

d) Third conditional

When we use the 3^rd conditional we are imagining a situation that is the opposite of what happened.

If we had put up our prices, we wouldn’t have kept our market share.

Common mistakes:

We do not use would in the if clause:

wrong: right:

*If I would have known you were at the office I would have called in. If I had known you were at the office I would have called in.

Task 6. Put the verbs in brackets into right tense (first or second conditional):

1. If everyone contributed (contribute) 20% of their salaries to charity, there would be (be) no poverty.

2. I am confident that we ___________ (meet) our targets if we _____________ (maintain) our current level of sales.

3. If I ____________ (be) in your position, I ____________ (insist) on having more staff in the department.

4. Please have a seat. If you ________ (wait) a couple of minutes, I ___________ (give) you a lift.

5. I’m expecting a call from Grayson’s. If they __________ (ring) today, please _________ (let) me know at once.

6. I _________ (be) back at 8.30 if the traffic ________ (not/be) too bad.

7. I ________ (apply) for the job if I _________ (have) an MBA, but unfortunately I haven’t.

8. What laws __________ (you/change) if you ________ (be) the Prime Minister?