REAL AND UNREAL CONDITIONALS

Conditional sentences may suggest that an event or

situation is …
 real: it is true, generally happens, has happened, is
likely to happen

CONDITIONALS If there is a health problem, vets deal with it quickly.

If we don't provide safe havens for animals, many will die out.

 unreal: it is imaginary or untrue, did not happen, is not

likely to happen
If they were in the wild, they would have more space to roam
free.
If we had introduced captive breeding programmes sooner,
we would have prevented the extinction of some animals.

CB p.172-173

CONDITIONALS - STRUCTURE ZERO CONDITIONAL

 main clause (result cl) + conditional clause (if-cl)
 word order: main + if OR if + , + main

 4 basic conditional patterns, depending on

(a) the time of the condition (present, past, future)
(b) how possible or impossible we think the event is

• Zero conditional
• First conditional !! mix conditionals
• Second conditional
• Third conditional

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 CB p.172-173

ZERO CONDITIONAL FIRST CONDITIONAL

 events or situations that can occur at any time, often
regularly, and often with the same result

 most commonly in the present tense, but not necessarily

CB p.172-173

FIRST CONDITIONAL FIRST CONDITIONAL

 Often for offers, suggestions and warnings

 Also for commands, with imperative in the main cl

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 CB p.172-173

SECOND CONDITIONAL SECOND CONDITIONAL

 1st or 2nd conditional? Depends on how possible we
infinitive believe an event to be

a If Mike rings the travel agent tomorrow, he might get a

cancellation
1st cond  we believe it is likely that Mike will ring the
travel agent

b If Mike rang the travel agent tomorrow, he might get a

cancellation
2nd cond  we believe it is unlikely that Mike will ring the
travel agent

CB p.172-173

SECOND CONDITIONAL SECOND CONDITIONAL

 if … should infinitive (+ main clause)
infinitive
 if … were to infinitive (+ main clause)
 emphasises that the condition is unlikely to happen
('second unreal conditional')

Also  desires/regrets If the printer should break down within the first year, we would
If we didn't have to work so hard, we could spend repair it at our expense.
more time together. If you were to listen more carefully, you might understand a
little more.
Also  polite requests
If you could deal with this matter, I would be very  !! we don't use unless in second (unreal) conditionals.
grateful.

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 CB p.172-173

SECOND CONDITIONAL THIRD CONDITIONAL

 making the 2nd conditional more formal
► if + I/he/she/it + were (instead of was)
If the programmer were familiar with this language, it
would be an easy job.

► inversion without if: should + subject

was/were (to) + subject
Should the tickets fail to arrive, we would arrange to have
duplicates waiting at the airport.
Were it not for the sea walls, the city would be at risk of
flooding.
Were you to accept our offer, we could avoid the costs of a
court case.

THIRD CONDITIONAL THIRD CONDITIONAL

 to express criticism or regret, often with could have
If the sea defences hadn't collapsed, New Orleans wouldn't have
been flooded. If you'd been driving more slowly, you could have
 known fact: the sea defences did collapse and New Orleans stopped in time.
was flooded I could have got the job if I'd performed better in the
interview.

I would have used your builder if I had managed to contact him.  more formal or literary style: had + subject + vb
 known fact: I didn't manage to contact him so I didn't use him.
Had the film been released in the summer, it might have been
more successful.
Had it not been for his quick thinking, we would have fallen
into the river.

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 CB p.172-173

CONDITIONAL LINKING WORDS CONDITIONAL LINKING WORDS

 negative conditions: if…not, unless ('except if')

 real conditional sentences: if…not, unless ('except if')

Unless we expand captive breeding, many animals will die out.
If we do not expand captive breeding, many animals will die out.

 unless is not always an alternative to if not, esp. when

the negative condition after if is contrary to known facts,
and in most questions
What time shall we leave for the theatre unless he turns up?
(question)  … if he doesn't turn up?

You'd be happier unless you had such high expectations

(unreal situation)
 You'd be happier if you didn't have such high expectations

CONDITIONAL LINKING WORDS CONDITIONAL LINKING WORDS

 unless with not  provided/providing (that); so long as / as long as; only if;
The college will offer you a place, unless your school-leaving on condition (that) / on the condition (that)
grade is not as predicted.
 They'll offer you a place if your grade is as predicted

Are they going to sell? Not unless they receive 1million.

 They won't sell if they don't receive 1 million
 They will sell if they receive 1 million
!! only refer to present or future conditions, do not use with the 3rd c

 whether … or not / whether or not …

.. whether or not there's someone …

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CONDITIONAL LINKING WORDS CONDITIONAL LINKING WORDS
 even if  in case of (+ noun)

 in case
 even though ('despite the fact that')
Even though they say they are concerned about the
welfare of animals, they are still businesses mainly out to
make a profit. a- I'll pop round later in case you're there.
 I don't know whether you'll be there but I'll come anyway

b- I'll pop round later if you're there.

 I'll only come if you are there.

CB p.172-173 CB p.172-173

CONDITIONALS - OTHER EXPRESSIONS CONDITIONALS - OTHER EXPRESSIONS

 if + (should) happen to  Suppose …. / what if …?

 makes the 1st conditional more formal and the condition

a little less likely

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 CB p.172-173 CB p.172-173

CONDITIONALS - OTHER EXPRESSIONS CONDITIONALS - FORMAL STYLE

 if + will/would

maxi p.48, ex 1
[EX 2] Complete the sentences with the correct
CONDITIONALS - PRACTICE form of the verbs in brackets.
 ex 1 = CB p.69, 7 (types conditional)
 ex 2 = maxi p.48, 1 (complete vb)
 ex 3 = maxi p.48, 2 (patterns)
 ex 4 = CB p.75, 2 (meaning)
 ex 5 = CB p.75, 3 (alternative conjunction)
 ex 6 = CB p.75, 4 (meaning)
 ex 7 (meaning)
 ex 8 (choose meaning)
 ex 9 (rewrite with linking words and vb)
 ex 10 (match with linking word)
 ex 11 = maxi p.52, 1 (alternative conjunction)
 ex 12 = CB p.69, 11 (complete conditional)

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 maxi p.48, ex 2
[EX 7] Read the statements carefully and think about the meaning.
Choose the correct words in italics in the explanations.
[EX 3] Complete the information about the sentences in
Activity 1.

[EX 8] Tick  the possible conditions and cross  the incorrect

[EX 7] ones. Think about the meaning as well as the grammar.
Sometimes more than one option is possible.

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 [EX 9] Rewrite each sentence, beginning the new sentence with
[EX 8] If… Keep the meaning of the new sentence as close as possible.

[EX 10] Match the sentence beginnings and endings, joining them with
[EX 9] one of the words or phrases from the box. Sometimes more than one
word/phrase is possible.

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[EX 11] Choose the correct alternative in each sentence. maxi p.52, ex 1

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