Level 8 - Mail 6

[Prof. Guillermo Katz]

 

Dear students:

 

I am enclosing here material to help you understand our current subject:  Conditionals.  Please let me know if you need some exercises to practice.

 

Also, I want to remind you of our latest composition:  Write another end of Killing Lizards..  Remember to use the language you learnt in class.

 

See you in class!

 

Gmo

 

 

Home > Students > Grammar Guide > Conditionals > Conditional 2
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Conditional 1 We use the first conditional to talk about situations in the future which we think will probably happen or which are perfectly reasonable and likely: If we leave at 9.00, we will catch the train. If you stop crying, I will give you a sweet. To make the first conditional we use two clauses. The if-clause is in the present, the conditional clause uses will and the infinitive: {if} + {present} | {will} + {infinitive} There are two clauses: the if-clause can come first or second. When it comes first, we usually put a comma between the two. If you work hard, you will make lots of money. You will lose lots of money if you keep gambling.     Conditional 2 We use the second conditional to talk about possible but unlikely situations in the future and whether they will happen or not, or imaginary present situations: If you met the President, what would you say? If you had a million pounds, what would you do with it? To make the second conditional we use two clauses. The if-clause is in the past tense, the conditional clause uses will and the infinitive: {if} + {past} | {would} + {infinitive} There are two clauses: the if-clause can come first or second. When it comes first, we usually put a comma between the two. If you wrote a bestseller, you would make lots of money. You would earn lots of money if you worked harder. We also use it for giving advice. This is very common: If I were you, I would... Note: We use I were instead of I wasbecause we are actually using the subjunctive; many people nowadays, however, say if I was...
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