GRAMMAR PRESENTATIONS
Zero, first, second and third
conditionals
Let’s take a closer look at the
different conditional structures.
The simple conditional structures are zero, first, second and third.
1. When do we use them?
2. How do we form sentences in these structures?
When do we use the
conditional structures?
Original edition © Pearson Education Limited 2018. This edition for Spain 2020
Look at the
Function: When do we use uses and
match the
examples.
them?
zero conditional
To talk about things
first conditional
To describe possible
second conditional
For hypothetical
third conditional
For hypothetical
that are generally future situations. situations in the situations in the past.
true. present or future.
To talk about the To give instructions or To make suggestions or For regrets about the
result of a situation or advice. give advice. past.
action.
If I were you, I’d speak If you travel abroad, I wouldn’t have lost my If you study hard this
to Tom before booking. you need a passport. phone if I hadn’t left week, you’ll do well in
my bag on the beach. the exam.
If I had heard your call, She would quit her job
I would have answered. if she found something If you bring your books Wear white if you come
else. back late, you get a to the party!
fine.
Original edition © Pearson Education Limited 2018. This edition for Spain 2020
Function: When do we use
them?
zero conditional
To talk about things
first conditional
To describe possible
second conditional
For hypothetical
third conditional
For hypothetical
that are generally future situations. situations in the situations in the past.
true. present of future.
If you study hard this If I had heard your call, I
If you travel abroad, you week, you’ll do well in the She would quit her job if would have answered.
need a passport. exam. she found something
else.
To talk about the To give instructions or To make suggestions For regrets about the
result of a situation or advice. or give advice. past.
action.
Wear white if you come If I were you, I’d speak to I wouldn’t have lost my
If you bring your books to the party! Tom before booking. phone if I hadn’t left my
You can also
back late, you get a [Link] first For advice and bag on the beach.
replace if instructions, we use an
conditionals, we imperative in the result
with when This is
can use unless clause. Look:
here, e.g. always
here to mean if If you’re tired, go
‘When you with ‘If I
not, e.g. ‘If you home! How do we make
travel were
don’t study, you’ll sentences in the
abroad, you you…’
fail’ = ‘Unless you conditional structures?
need a
study, you’ll fail.’ imperative
passport.’
Original edition © Pearson Education Limited 2018. This edition for Spain 2020
Form: How do we form these
structures?
zero conditional
f/When + present simple , present simple
f you travel abroad, you need a passport.
first conditional
Look at the example
If + …? for zero conditional.
Now try to work out
you study hard this week, you’ll do well in the exam. the structures for the
second conditional other three
conditionals.
If + …?
f she found something better, she’d quit her job.
third conditional
If + …?
hadn’t left my bag on the beach, I wouldn’t have lost my phone.
Original edition © Pearson Education Limited 2018. This edition for Spain 2020
Form: How do we form these
structures?
zero conditional
f/When + present simple , present simple
f you travel abroad, you need a passport.
first conditional
Look at the example
nless + present simple/continuous , will/won’t/might/might not/imperative for zero conditional.
Now try to work out
you study hard this week, you’ll do well in the exam. the structures for the
second conditional other three
conditionals.
f + past simple , would/could/might + infinitive
f she found something better, she’d quit her job.
third conditional
+ past perfect , would + have + past participle
hadn’t left my bag on the beach, I wouldn’t have lost my phone.
Original edition © Pearson Education Limited 2018. This edition for Spain 2020
Form: How do we form these
structures?
zero conditional The result
clause can go
first, but then
f/When + present simple , present simple
you don’t use
You need a passport if you travel abroad.
f you travel abroad, you need a passport. a comma.
Look…
first conditional
The infinitive is used
If/Unless + present simple/continuous , will/won’t might/might for giving instructions
not/infinitive or advice. Might/might
you study hard this week, you’ll do well in the exam. not is to express
second conditional possibility.
With the verb to be in
+ past simple , would/wouldn’t/might/might not + infinitive the second
f she found something better, she’d quit herIfjob.
I were you, I’d speak to Tom. conditional, it’s more
common to use If
third conditional I/he/she/it were rather
than If I/he/she/it was.
+ past perfect , would + have + past participle
We commonly use
I hadn’t left my bag on the beach, I wouldn’t have lost my phone. contractions in these Let’s practise!
structures, e.g. I’ll,
Original edition © Pearson Education Limited 2018. This edition for Spain 2020 I’d, She’d.
Practice activities Remember that with any of the
conditionals, the result clause can come
before the if hypothetical, but there
Rewrite the sentences using the words in bold. shouldn’t be a comma, e.g. ‘I might win
the race if I train a lot.’
1. It is possible for me to win the race. I just need to train a lot.
MIGHTIf I train a lot, I might win the race.
2. I really regret getting home late and then arguing with my parents. GOT
If I hadn’t got home late, I wouldn’t have argued with my parents.
3. There is a possibility of you visiting next month, isn’t there? Please call me when you’re here. IF
If you visit next month, call me when you’re here.
4. It’s a fact that eating healthily and doing exercise keeps you fit.
YOU EAT
If you eat healthily and do exercise, you keep fit.
5. You should write her a letter to apologise. WERE
If I were you, I would write her a letter to apologise.
Original edition © Pearson Education Limited 2018. This edition for Spain 2020
