The zero conditional is used to state things that seem generally or always true

such as rules, inevitable outcomes and consequences, mechanical workings,

scientific and economic laws, political truths, religious doctrines, guidelines.

We are all going on holiday to a foreign country.

Think about what you will do in different places.

 (If I go to Brazil, I'll dance in a carnival. If I go to London, I'll visit the BritishMuseum) 

(If I go to Russia . . . / Italy . . . I Spain . . . I Thailand. . . / India . . .).

• If you spend all your money, you can’t pay your rent.

Is it possible that you could spend all your money?

If you do this, can you also pay your rent?

How definite is this? 

• If you fall in the river, you get wet.

 Is it possible that you could fall in?

 Will you definitely get wet if you fall in?

 Is there a chance that you won’t get wet if you fall in? 

Prepare a list of things that are invariably true about your work or town)

If you arrive late,

If you feel ill

If you kick the drinks machine

Why is Magda uhappy?

She thinks she is going to lose her job.

She’s thinking about what’s going to happen. (If I lose my job, I ’ll move to the countryside).

(If I move to the countryside, I ’ll buy a pet dog. If I have a dog, we'll go for a walk every day. If I go for a walk

every day, I'll get fit. If I get fit, I could get a new job as a sports teacher)

• If Franz sees Gabi, he’ll tell her.

Will Franz see Gabi?

 Will he definitely see her?

Is there a chance that he will see her?

Is it very likely that he will see her? 

• If we don’t go now, we’ll be late for the meeting.

Are we going to the meeting?

Are we going to be late?

 Are we definitely going to be late?

What can we do to avoid being late? 

Meaning and use

The first conditional is used to talk about things that are normal, possible and

quite likely to happen. It is typically used to . . .

• give warnings and advice.

If you pick it up when it's hot, you'll burn your fingers.

• make predictions; speculate about future events.

I f it works, we'll make a lot of money.

• threaten.

If you don't leave right now, I'll. . .

• make offers, promises; barter.

If you lend me the football, I'll lend you my Scrabble set.

• discuss hypotheses; offer theories.

If the lever moves clockwise, I think the gate will open.

• draw conclusions from evidence.

If they are all here, then there is nobody at Reception.

• state instructions.

If you press button C, the machine will switch off.

She is applying for a very exciting job as Personal Assistant to the director of a big international company.

She has few qualifications and little experience. She thinks that she has a very small chance of getting the job.

What  is she imagining.

If I went to moon, I’d bring you back some cheese. Is it possible to go to

the moon? Is it likely that I could go to the moon?  Am I really

going to the moon? So . . . it is possible . . .?  . . . but very unlikely?

Will I bring you some cheese?  Why not? 

• If Nanami went to London, she’d meet Jin. Will Nanami go to London?

Is it likely that she will go to London? 

Will she meet Jin?  Why not?   Which word tells us that it is unlikely?

• June has a boyfriend, Robert. Mary is talking to June about Robert and

says ‘If I were you, I’d leave him.’

Is Robert Mary’s boyfriend?  Who is Robert’s girlfriend? Will Alary leave Robert? Why not?

 So . . . why does Mary say she would leave him?   Is she giving advice to June? 

Meaning and use

The second conditional is used to talk about things that are impossible or just

possible - but unlikely to happen or nearly impossible. Many second conditional

sentences could be continued with but I’m n o t. . (or similar endings).

If I went to Moscow, I'd buy you some caviar (- but I’m pretty sure I’m not going,

so tough!)

If she believed you, she'd cancel the booking right now (- but she doesn’t, so she won’t).

The difference in meaning between the first and second conditionals is a matter

of individual view - not fact. The same situation could be stated using either

first or second conditional depending on how likely you felt it to be. Hence a

pessimistic person might say ‘If I wron the lottery . . .’ - but an optimist might say

‘If I win the lottery . . . ’

Jo and Tony couldn’t decide what to do.

There was a party and a good programme on TV.

Jo decided to go to the party while Tony chose to stay at home.

It is two hours later. 

Jo is looking miserable at the party - and Tony is looking miserable watching TV.

They regret their choices.

What  are they feeling and thinking

{IfI ’d stayed at home, I could have watched Spacecops.

If I ’d gone to the party, I could have met some nice girls).

Extend the situation to make more sentences 

• If George had gone to the meeting, he’d have met Hiro. Did George go

to the meeting?  Did Hiro go to the meeting?  Did George meet

Hiro?  Why not? 

• If only I’d bought that dress . . . ! Did I buy that dress? Why not?

Do I regret it now?  A little or very much? 

• I wish I’d been at the concert! Was I at the concert?  Do I regret it

now? Would I go to the concert if I had another chance? 

Meaning and use

The third conditional is used to talk about events in the past that cannot be

changed. The speaker using a third conditional is speculating about how things

might be altered if something had or hadn’t happened in a different way. As a

result the third conditional is especially associated with the function of regret.

If I hadn't eaten so much at dinner, I wouldn't feel so sick now! . . .

I wish and If only

These are often used to say how we wish a past situation was different. There is

often a strong element of regret. If only is frequently used without a second clause.

If only we could afford to buy a place of our own.