CONDITIONALS

ZERO CONDITIONAL 

 To talk about things that are always true.

We construct the zero conditional like this: 

if + simple present, simple present

“If we heat water, it boils.”

“When a tree crashes to the ground, does it make a sound if no one is around to hear it?”

‘Everytime’ by Britney Spears

• Every time I try to fly / I fall
• Every time I see you in my dreams / I see your face

FIRST CONDITIONAL 

When we talk about real and possible situations.

We form the first conditional like this: 

if + simple present, will + main verb. 
(the notion of futurity can also be expressed using ‘be going to’)

“If it rains, I won’t go shopping.”

“If the train comes late, we’re going to miss our connection.”

‘If You Don’t Know Me By Now’ by Simply Red

If you don’t know me by now / You will never ever know me


SECOND CONDITIONAL

To talk about ‘unreal’ or impossible things.

We construct the second conditional like this: 

if + simple past, would + base verb. 

"If I won a lot of money I’d buy a big house in the country."



‘If I were a boy’ by Beyonce

• If I were a boy even just for a day / I’d roll out of bed in the morning
• If I were a boy / I swear I’d be a better man
• If I were a boy / I would turn off my phone

THIRD CONDITIONAL

To talk about things in the past that we cannot change. 

We construct the third conditional like this: 

if + had + past participle, would + have + past participle. 

If I had studied more, I would have passed my exam. 

‘Come back, be here’ by Taylor Swift

• If I had known what I know now / I never would’ve played so nonchalant.

CLASS GAME

If I go out tonight, I will go to the cinema.
If I go to the cinema, I will watch Charlie and the chocolate factory.
If I watch Charlie and the chocolate factory, I...