Overview
This lecture explains the four English conditionals (zero, first, second, third) and introduces mixed conditionals, focusing on their structure, usage, and key differences.
General Structure of Conditionals
- Each conditional has an IF clause (the condition) and a main clause (the result).
- Zero and first conditionals discuss real or possible situations; second and third express hypothetical, unreal, or impossible situations.
- Mixed conditionals combine elements of the second and third conditionals.
Zero Conditional
- Form: If + present simple, present simple.
- Used for general truths or situations that are always true.
- Clauses can be reordered; add a comma if the IF clause is first.
- Can use WHEN instead of IF when the condition is certain.
- Imperatives (commands) can appear in the result clause.
First Conditional
- Form: If + present simple, will + infinitive (base form).
- Used for likely or possible future conditions and results.
- Can use modal verbs (can, might, may, could) or “going to” for future results.
- “Unless” is used as an alternative to “if...not”.
Comparing Zero and First Conditional
- Zero: General truths or routines (If I have time, I work out).
- First: Specific future situations (If I have time, I'll work out).
Second Conditional
- Form: If + past simple, would + infinitive.
- Used for unreal, hypothetical present or future situations.
- “Were” can be used for all subjects in the IF clause.
- Other modals like “could” or “might” can replace “would”.
Third Conditional
- Form: If + past perfect, would have + past participle.
- Used for unreal, impossible conditions in the past with impossible past results.
- “Would have”, “could have”, and “might have” are used in the main clause.
Comparing All Four Conditionals
- Zero: General/always true (If we drive, we get there faster).
- First: Specific future possibility (If we drive, we'll get there faster).
- Second: Unreal present/future (If we drove, we'd get there faster).
- Third: Unreal past (If we had driven, we would have gotten there faster).
Mixed Conditionals
- Past condition + present result: If I had studied German, my German would be better now.
- Present condition + past result: If I were rich, I would have bought that coat.
- Used to connect a past hypothetical to a present result or vice versa.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Conditional — A sentence expressing "if X, then Y" logic.
- IF clause — The part of the sentence giving the condition.
- Main clause — The part of the sentence giving the result.
- Imperative — A command or instruction.
- Infinitive — The base form of a verb (e.g., eat, talk).
- Past participle — Verb form used with "have" for perfect tenses (e.g., eaten, talked).
- Modal verbs — Words like can, could, might, may, will, would, used to express possibility or ability.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Practice writing your own examples for each conditional type.
- Review and compare the forms and uses of all conditionals.
- Optional: Leave a comment with a conditional example, as suggested in the lecture.