Impact-e English Training

The Conditionals

The Conditionals are the "if" sentences. They are often used for negotiations, so it is important to have an idea of what they mean.

The First Conditional

The First Conditional, which is used for present or future actions that are probable, is formed with the Present Simple in the "if" clause and the Future Simple in the other, e.g. "If I learn about the grammar that is used most of the time, my English will be very good." This means that you think that it is very likely that you will learn this grammar.

There is also a First Conditional which uses the Present Simple in both clauses. e.g. "If you only have to learn five tenses, English grammar is very easy." This is used for general facts and their results.

The Second Conditional

The Second Conditional is used for present ideas that are not probable. It is formed with the Past Simple in the "if" clause and "would" + the infinitive (1st form) of the verb in the other part. e.g. "If I learnt all of this grammar my English would be perfect." This means that you think that it is not very likely that you will learn all of the grammar.

Americans form this tense differently. Perhaps this is due to German influence. In any case, it is common here for people to use "would" + the infinitive (1st form) of the verb in both clauses of the Second Conditional. e.g. "If I would learn all of this grammar my English would be perfect." Would you like to sound more American or more British, Australian, etc.? Whichever form you decide to use, it is best to stay with one and not to mix them.

The Third Conditional

The Third Conditional is used for ideas which are in the past and therefore impossible. It is formed by using "if" + the Past Perfect (had + 3rd form of verb) and "would have" + the third form of the verb in the other part of the sentence. e.g. "If I had learned all the Conditionals in school I would have negotiated better in the English meeting last week."

It is also possible to have something in the past which influences the present situation, e.g. "If I had learned the Conditionals in school I wouldn’t have to read this now." This is basically a combination of the Third and Second Conditionals.

Note: The order of the clauses can be changed. The "if" clause does not always come first, e.g. "English grammar is very easy if you only have to learn five tenses."

Here’s an overview:

Situation:	Time:	Which Conditional:	Form: (How to make it)	Example:
It is a general fact / result	present	Conditional 1	When or if & Present Simple / Present Simple	If you only have to learn five tenses, English grammar is very easy.
I think it will happen	present or future	Conditional 1	If or when & Present Simple / Future Simple	If I read this I will understand the Conditionals better. (I think I will read this.)
I don’t think it will really happen	present / future	Conditional 2	If & Past Simple / would + the 1st form of the verb	If I did all of the interactive grammar exercises my English would be perfect. (I don’t think that I will do all of the exercises - either there are too many or I don’t have that much time.)
My doing or not doing something in the past has influenced my present situation.	past / present	Conditional 3	If & the Past Perfect (had + 3rd form of verb) / would + the infinitive (1st) form of the verb	If I had lived in the USA as child I would speak fluent English.
My doing or not doing something in the past influenced a past situation. It is now impossible to change the situation	past / past	Conditional 3	If & the Past Perfect (had + 3rd form of verb) / would + have + the third form of the verb	If I had lived in the USA as a child I would have gone to college in New York.