English with Lucy: Grammar Lesson on Conditionals

Introduction

• Topic: Four Conditionals
• Importance: Common area of difficulty for students
• Resources: Free PDF and quiz available (link in description), weekly updates via mailing list

Overview of Conditionals

1. Zero Conditional

   • Structure: Two present simple verbs (if clause and main clause)
   • Usage: General truths, guaranteed results (e.g., scientific facts)
   • Examples:
     • "If you heat water, it evaporates."
     • "If I'm sad, I eat chocolate."
   • Interchangeability: "If" can be replaced with "when" or "whenever" without changing meaning
   • Usage in Instructions: Imperative in main clause (e.g., "If she rings the doorbell, tell her to go away.")

2. First Conditional

   • Structure: Present simple after if, future in the main clause
   • Usage: Future possibilities, things likely to happen
   • Examples:
     • "If we don't leave now, we will miss the train."
     • "If you study hard, you will pass the exam."
   • Modals: Can replace "will" to express recommendations, certainty, permission (e.g., might, could, shall, should)

3. Second Conditional

   • Structure: Past simple after if, would + infinitive, or would + present continuous
   • Usage: Unreal future possibilities, dreams, fantasies, impossible present situations
   • Examples:
     • "If I won the lottery, I would buy a house in Barbados."
     • "If I were you, I would stop poking the cat."
   • Continuous Form: "If this thing happened, that thing would be happening."
   • Exercise: Answer the question "If you were an animal, which one would you be and why?"

4. Third Conditional

   • Structure: If + past perfect, would + have + past participle
   • Usage: Imaginary past situations and their possible results
   • Examples:
     • "If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam."
     • "If we had left earlier, we wouldn't have arrived late."

Conclusion

• Emphasis on testing understanding with a quiz
• Quiz and lesson content available in the PDF (link in description)

Additional Resources

• Vlogging channel for vocabulary and listening practice
• Social media: Instagram (@Lucy) and website (englishwithlucy.co.uk) with pronunciation tool

• Remember to check the PDF for the quiz and additional exercises!