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Zero Conditional

December 16, 2013 by Bret Tutor

Zero Conditional

ZeroConditional_ZeroConditionalTag

The easiest conditional to understand is the zero conditional. We use this type of conditional when the condition put forward is an absolute. Indisputable scientific facts are often expressed as zero conditionals. For example, boil some water and see the vapor rise. This is a zero conditional.

IF Condition Result
present simple present simple
If you boil water vapor rises.

This is different than the other conditionals since the outcome is not questionable. The vapor rises; end of story. We are not concerned about past or future, we are referring to facts and conditions that always hold true.

IF Condition Result
present simple present simple
If I run too fast my knees hurt.
If you whisper I can’t hear.
If you stay quiet I can hear the water.
If the door closes I won’t get on the plane.

You can change the order of the clauses as seen below:

Result IF Condition
present simple if present simple
My knees hurt if I run too fast.
I can’t hear if you whisper.
I can hear the water if you stay quiet.
I won’t get on the plane if the door closes.

Filed Under: Conditionals Tagged With: Conditionals, Grammar, Zero Conditional

Third Conditional

December 16, 2013 by Bret Tutor

Third Conditional

ThirdConditional_ThirdConditionalTagMain

The third conditional is different from the first and the second because we talk about events in the past. There is absolutely no possibility of the even happening since something else already happened in the past. We are talking about something that should have happened, or that we wanted to happen differently in the past but did not. As an example, you did not go to your mom’s house last week.

Condition Result
Past Perfect WOULD HAVE + Past Participle
If I had gone to my mom’s house I would have sang with my brothers.

In the third conditional the time for the specific condition to occur is gone. In the example above you did not go to your mom’s house where your brothers were signing. You may go to your mom’s house in the future, but that one opportunity has passed. We use the past perfect tense to refer to the past condition. We use WOULD HAVE + past participle to refer to the outcome that could not have happened. In this conditional, both the original condition and the outcome are impossible.

In the third conditional the words would have can be replaced by should have, could have, or might have. For example: If you had put gas in the car, we could have made it to the airport. More examples are listed below:

IF Condition Result
past perfect WOULD HAVE + past participle
If I had heard her I would have gone.
If John had jumped he would have made the shot.
If she had seen the spot she would have parked there.
If it had snowed yesterday they would have closed public transportation.
If it had rained at graduation where would you have gone?

Also, you can switch the order of the clauses(result and condition) along with the if statement:

Result IF Condition
WOULD HAVE + past participle past perfect
I would have gone if I had heard her.
John would have made the shot if he had jumped.
She would have parked there if she had seen the spot.
They would have closed public transportation if it had snowed yesterday.
Where would you have gone if it had rained at graduation?

Filed Under: Conditionals Tagged With: Conditionals, Grammar, Third Conditional

Second Conditional

December 16, 2013 by Bret Tutor

Second Conditional

SecondConditional_SecondConditionalTag_Main

The second conditional refers to a condition in the future that is not likely to happen. For example, you did not read a book assigned for a book report. The possibility of you getting an “A” on the assignment is highly unlikely or what is also referred to as unreal. You could get lucky and guess all of the answers, but again that is near impossible. Here is the structure:

IF Condition Result
past simple WOULD + base verb
If I read the book I would pass my class.

We are still talking about a future condition. In formulating the second conditional we use the past simple tense to address the future activity and then we use WOULD + base verb talk to address the potential future result. Always remember there is only a remote possibility of this condition happening.
For example:

IF Condition Result
past simple WOULD + base verb
If I exercised daily I would be thin.
If he left his job he would be happy.
If he moved to this town I would date him.
If it rained at your wedding what would you do?

The words should, could or might can substitute the word would in some cases. For example: If I won the contest, I should take a picture.
Also, you can switch the order of the clauses(result and condition) along with the if statement:

Result IF Condition
WOULD + base verb if past simple
I would be thin if I exercised daily.
He would be happy if he left his job.
I would date him if he moved to this town.
What would you do if it rained at your wedding?

Filed Under: Conditionals Tagged With: Conditionals, Grammar, Second Conditional

First Conditional

December 16, 2013 by Bret Tutor

First Conditional

FirstConditional_FirstConditionalTag_Main

The first conditional refers to an event in the future with an almost certain or real possibility that it will happen. We think of one specific event that needs to happen in the future for the other event to happen. For example, you are watching the news and waiting to hear the snow forecast from the weatherman. One more inch of snow will close the bus routes. What will happen?

IF Condition Result
present simple WILL + base verb
If it snows I will not take the bus.

In the example above we are thinking about something in the future that you will do based on an event. In this case you will use the present simple tense of the verb for the possibility of the condition happening in the future. We then use WILL + the base verb for the future result that we think will happen. With the first conditionals the possibility of the condition happening is very real. Here are some more examples:

IF Condition Result
present simple WILL + base verb
If you go home tomorrow Mom will be happy.
If he does his homework early he will have time to play.
If you don’t review tonight you will fail the test.
If it snows tomorrow will you miss work?
If it floods tomorrow where will you go?

The words shall, can or may can substitute the word will in some cases. For example: If you do your homework early tonight, you may have time to play.

Also, you can switch the order of the clauses(result and condition) along with the if statement:

Result IF Condition
WILL + base verb present simple
Mom will be happy if I go home tomorrow.
He will have time to play if he does his homework early.
You will fail the test if you don’t review tomorrow.
You will miss work if it snows tomorrow.
Where will you go if it floods tomorrow?

Filed Under: Conditionals Tagged With: Conditionals, First Conditional, Grammar

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