CONDITIONALS 4

ZERO CONDITONAL = TRUE FACT
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The construction is:
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IF + verb (simple preset conjugation) = verb (simple present conjugation)
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If it doesn't rain, plants don't grow.
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Water boils if you heat it to 100 degrees.
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Turn the lights off if you want the room to get dark.
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If I drink coffee, I get a headache.
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OBS: The conjunction IF can often be substituted by the words WHEN or UNLESS.
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Take a look at the links below:
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http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/StudyZone/330/grammar/0cond1.htm
http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/type0/exercise1.html
http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/type0/exercise2.html
http://www.stclaresenglish.net/langprac/con0ex1.htm
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Best wishes,
André

CONDITIONALS 3

THIRD CONDITIONAL = UNREAL / IMAGINARY PAST
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The construction is:
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IF + verb (past perfect conjugation) =
WOULD/COULD/MIGHT HAVE + past participle verb
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If I'd known you'd bring cookies to the party, I would've brought sth different.
(we both brought cookies)
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Mary could have injured herself if she hadn't been wearing the seat belt.
(she didn't injure herself)
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Jack wouldn't have met his friends if he had stayed home.
(he met his friends)
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If you'd been more careful, you might not have broken the glass.
(you broke the glass)
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Take a look at this interesting explanation with illustrative examples:
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http://www.learnenglish.org.uk/gr_movie/s_3_cond/index.htm
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Take a look at the links below:
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http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/StudyZone/410/grammar/3cond1.htm
http://www.better-english.com/grammar/con31.htm
http://www.learn4good.com/languages/evrd_grammar/3rdconditional.php3
http://www.mariposa-services.com/pages/e5cond3_match.htm
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You should remember this kind of conditional indicates sth is IMAGINARY in the past.
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Best wishes,
André

CONDITIONALS 2

SECOND CONDITONAL = UNREAL / IMAGINARY PRESENT

The contruction is:

IF + verb (past conjugation) = WOULD + infinitive verb
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- If I had money, I would buy a new car.
(I don't have money)

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- John would meet his friends at the bar if he didn't have to work overtime.
(John has to work overtime)

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- If it was raining, we'd go for a walk in the park.

(It's raining)

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- I wouldn't go there if I were you.

(I can't stay home)

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OBS: In imaginary conditionals, WERE is grammatically accepted when the verb to be is conjugated. However, WAS is conversationally accepted in any situation, except in the condition "IF I WERE YOU".

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Take a look at the links below:

http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/410/grammar/2cond1.htm

http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/410/grammar/2cond2.htm
http://www.better-english.com/grammar/cond2.htm
http://www.better-english.com/grammar/secondconditional1.htm

You should remember this kind of conditional indicates sth is IMAGINARY.

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Watch the following video to practice listening:

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOSNTqHHXPA

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Best wishes,
André

CONDITIONALS 1

Conditionals are usually rated as "hard-to-understand" grammar points.

As a matter of fact, it's quite simple to get the hang of using such sentences.

Conditional sentences are characterized by the use of the conjunction IF. There are three different conditional cases:

1. Future possible condition (First conditional);

2. Imaginary present (Second conditional);

3. Imaginary past (third conditional).

Let's focus on the use of the FIRST CONDITIONAL = FUTURE POSSIBLE SITUATION

The construction is:

IF + verb (present conjugation) = WILL + infinitive verb

- If I have enough money, I will travel to the beach on my next vacation.

- Julia will finish her report if she doesn't get any other calls.

- If it rains, we'll have to stay home.

- Tom won't buy a new car if he doesn'tc sell his old one.

Take a look at the links below:

http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/330/grammar/1cond2.htm

http://www.better-english.com/grammar/firstconditional1.htm

http://www.mariposa-services.com/pages/e3cond1_match.htm

You should remember this kind of conditional indicates sth is POSSIBLE

Best wishes,

André