Instructions
We use conditional sentences to say one thing depends on another. They can be used to talk about real or imaginary situations. One of the clauses starts with if (or a similar word) – this is the conditional clause. The other clause talks about the result of the conditional clause happening.
Ummm?
Don’t worry, it’s a lot easier than it sounds. Let’s look at some examples.
If you don’t tell me, I’ll just keep asking.
If I promise to travel less, will you forgive me?
I know that one. It’s a first conditional: if + present simple, then will + infinitive.
That’s right. It’s for talking about a situation in the future which the speaker thinks is quite possible. If the first condition happens, something will happen as a result. In this conditional sentence, the present tense after if refers to the future, not the present.
And can you change the order of the clauses round?
Yes, and we leave out the comma in the middle of the sentence if the order is changed round.
I’ll just keep asking if you don’t tell me.
OK. I also know the second conditional. If + past simple, then would + infinitive.
Right again! This is for talking about an unlikely or unreal condition.
If you travelled less because of me, I’d feel worse.
If I had the opportunity to visit places like that, I wouldn’t complain!
So, in the second example, Oliver doesn’t think he will have the opportunity to travel a lot. It’s possible but improbable. We use the past simple to show that it’s not likely, not to indicate past time.
Can you use any other verbs, apart from would, in this kind of conditional?
Yes, we sometimes use other modal verbs like might or could in the result clause (not the if clause).
I see. What about, 'If you mix blue and yellow, you get green'. Is that a conditional?
Yes. That’s a zero conditional. We often use them for facts, or in academic subjects.
When it rains a lot, the animals move to higher ground. (geography)
What about other words that can replace if, like unless and as long as?
Well, unless is a kind of negative version of if.
I’ll never go unless you take me. (= If you don’t take me, I’ll never go.)
As long as imposes a condition on someone. You’re telling them what you expect them to do.
You can borrow my surfboard as long as you get it back to me by five o’clock.
So if you agree to what I say, you can borrow my surfboard?
Exactly.
Are there any other conditionals?
Well, there’s the third conditional, but we’ll deal with that separately.
Phew! Now, if you don’t mind, I’ll have to stop there.
That’s fine, as long as everything’s clear!
Worksheets and downloads
Transcript
Discussion
If you could go anywhere in the world on your next holiday, where would you go and why?
Comments
I would go to London ♥
i want to go to Australia the country is beautiful
i want to go places which distinct around the world like china ,France,America.Cuz i really love travelling.
I love Japan!!!! I am practising Japanese! (why do we have to type the characters in the picture to post, mendoksei!!)
If I could go anywhere on my holiday, I would go to Canada. I'd like to visit any country, which is far from my home, but I prefer Canada, because I want to talk with the director of my favourite dance company and, of course, to see their new performances on stage, not only internet.
I will go Japan if I speak well English
Eyjafjallajökull? i don't know it
Hola, Amiguitos Mios :D
Welcome! Please write all comments in English, so all our users can understand. Thanks :)
Jonathan (LearnEnglish Teens Team)
I wanna visit the North Pole. Cos I really wonder Aurora. It looks very amazing. Also I want stay in there with my girlfriend, my dog and my tea. There are awesome combine!
I would go to New York. Cos i wonder there.
I reckon I would go to Sharm-ElSheikh. I went there for 2 times and I loved it so much, its weather,shops,sea and everything there. If I had the opportunity , I would go there.
I think I would go to Usa and Australia because I've never visited them and I want to visit all the continents
the country I would like to visit is Japan for its culture, anime and it has beautiful sceneries
It is a very hard question. because I want to visit a lot of places, but I think if I could go anywhere on my holidays, I would go to Holland. It's my dream since I was five years old, and I think it is a wonderful city for tourists.
I will stay in London unlass I speak English fluently :D
If I learned this English, I will move to London!
If i had the enough amount of money,i would visit Japan.It is my dream.
If I had enough budget, I would love to travel to Italy.
My dream since when I'm a 3rd grader.
If I had enough money, I would go to the beach this summer because it's very hot. I can't stand it anymore
If I could go anywhere in my next holiday, I would go to Rome.
It is a very hard question. because I want to visit a lot of places, but I think if I could go anywhere on my holidays, I would go to Venice. It's my dream since I was five years old, and I think it is a wonderful city for tourists.
If I could go anywhere on my next holidays, i would go to the UK
I would like to go there too!
If I could go anywhere I would go to German, because it's really interesting for me:D
Hi there! I tried to download some worksheets to this topic, but I couldn't :( Are they still here?
If I could go anywhere on my next holidays, I would go to the USA because I love the landscape and beaches in this country. I would like to visit New York because I've never been there. It will be a wonderful experience and I would improve my English.
Best wishes from Spain.
If I were able to go on my vacation, I would go to Dubai city in the United Arab Emerates due to the fact that it has the most beautiful view in the world and there are not only lots of skyscrapers but also modern cars.
If I could go anywhere in the world in my next holiday, I would go to Makkah to perform pilgrimage as it's obligatory on me.
English is very funny and easy with British Council...
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