The Conditional Tense

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The Conditional Tense

A Quick Review with Practice


ConditionalsConsist of at least TWO ClausesDependent Clause Uses “If” or

“WhenUsed to express certain

“Conditions”Have specific forms and functions!3 general types


Form DetailsDependent, Independent (DC, IC)

IF + SV, SV

Or

Independent Dependent (IC DC)SV IF SV


Form Names1. Possible Present or Future2. Unlikely Present3. Impossible Past


First Conditional Function

Used for talking about possibilities in the

present or in the future.


First Conditional FormUsually:

IF + S + V (present), S + V (future)

Or

Sometimes: IF + S + V (present), S + V (present)


If it's sunny, we'll go to the park.

Paula will be sad if Juan leaves.

If you cook the supper, I'll wash the dishes.

Maybe it will be sunny - that's possible.Maybe Juan will leave - that's possible.Maybe you will cook the supper - that's possible

First Conditional Examples


First Conditional PracticeState the following scenario in a conditional clause.

You might get a raise at work. You would like a new car.


First Conditional PracticeYou might get a raise at work. You would like a new car.

If I get a raise, I’ll buy a new car.


First Conditional PracticeState the following scenario in a conditional clause.

You plan to work really hard in ESL 380. You would like to earn an A.


First Conditional PracticeYou plan to work really hard in ESL 380. You would like to earn an A.

If I work really hard, I might earn an A.


Second Conditional FormIf S past V, S would + VIf S Past V, S Could + V If S Past V, S would V

BE EXCEPTIONWith Be, use WERE

If I were a millionaire, I would give money to the poor.


Second Conditional Function

The second conditional is a structure used for talking about unreal (not likely to happen) situations in the present or in the future


If I were you, I would drive more carefully in the rain.

Paula would be sad if Jan left.

If dogs had wings, they would be able to fly.

I am not you - this is untrue.

Jan will not leave - this is untrue.

Dogs don't have wings -- this is untrue.

Second Conditional Example


State the following scenario in a conditional clause.

You are not a teacher. You think students should have less homework.

Second Conditional Practice


You are not a teacher. You think students should have less homework.

If I were a teacher, I would give less homework to the students.




You are not perfect. You would like to make no mistakes.



You are not perfect. You would like to make no mistakes.

If I were perfect, I would not make so many mistakes.



Third Conditional FormIf S Past Perfect V, S Would Perfect V

If I had been born in the 1900s, I would have been a pioneer.


Full form : If I had studied harder, I probably would have passed the exam.

Contracted form :If I'd studied harder, I probably would've passed the exam.

Third Conditional Form


Third Conditional FunctionThe third conditional is a structure used for talking about unreal (not possible) situations in the past. In other words, it is used to talk about things which DID NOT HAPPEN in the past.


The third conditional is used to talk about things which DID NOT HAPPEN in the past. If your native language does not have a similar construction, you may find this a little strange, but it can be very useful. It is often used to express criticism or regret.

Third Conditional Function


If you had driven more carefully, you would not have had an accident.If we had played a little better, we could have won the game.

Criticism: You had an accident because you didn't drive carefully enough.

Regret: We didn't play well, so we lost the game.

Third Conditional Examples


If you had saved your money, you could have bought a computer.

If it had snowed, we could have gone skiing.

Criticism: You didn't save your money, so now you can't afford a computer.

Regret: It didn't snow, so we couldn't go skiing.

Third Conditional Examples


Third Conditional Practice


You came to America. You miss your family.



You came to America. You miss your family.

If I had stayed at home, I would not miss my family so much.




Your friend forgot to do her homework. She earned an F on the paper.



Your friend forgot to do her homework. She earned an F on the paper.

If she had done her homework, she would not have earned an F.


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The Conditional Tense

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