Conditionals

Sophie is in Iceland for work and Oliver is in a really bad mood. 

Instructions

As you watch the video, look at the examples of conditional sentences. They are in red in the subtitles. Then read the conversation below to learn more. Finally, do the grammar exercises to check you understand, and can use, conditionals correctly.

Transcript

Oliver: Hey, how’s Iceland?
Sophie: I love it.
Oliver: Oh, what a surprise!
Sophie: It is actually. I don’t normally like camping!
Oliver: If I had the opportunity to visit places like that, I wouldn’t complain!
Sophie: What’s the matter with you today, Ollie?
Oliver: Ah, nothing really.
Sophie: If you don’t tell me, I’ll just keep asking ...
Oliver: Hmm. Yesterday, you were so excited, you didn’t ask about my exam!
Sophie: Oh, Ollie! I’m so sorry. You’re more important to me than camping and volcanoes!
Oliver: Well, it doesn’t always feel like it.
Sophie: If I promise to travel less, will you forgive me?
Oliver: No. Because you won’t travel less. You love it. And if you travelled less because of me, I’d feel worse. So … it’s not an option.
Sophie: You don’t make it easy! Seriously, honey, I don’t think I knew about the exam. If I’d known, I would have asked, you know that.
Oliver: Well, anyway. Have you been near that volcano? What’s its name?
Sophie: Even if I had three days of classes, I wouldn’t be able to say it, I don’t think. Wait, I can’t say it unless I read it – Eyjafjallajökull. There are about 30 active volcanoes in Iceland; the eruption in 2010 of Eyja … of that volcano really wasn’t so serious. If it hadn’t affected flights, we wouldn’t have heard much about it. There’s a bigger volcano near it – with a shorter name too – Katla. I’ve been to see that. The landscape here’s awesome ... You can’t imagine what it’s like.
Oliver: No? Well, I’ll never go unless you take me.
Sophie: Darling, please …
Oliver: Sorry. What’s it like?
Sophie: It’s beautiful. Water, rock, ice, lava, geysers … there aren’t many trees, obviously. I’ll send photos later.
Oliver: Look, do you want to speak to Daisy?
Sophie: Ollie, love?
Oliver: I’ll be OK. Let’s talk tomorrow.
Sophie: OK. Hi, Daisy.
Daisy: Hi, Mum.

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!

 
Discussion

If you could go anywhere in the world on your next holiday, where would you go and why?

Average: 3.8 (12 votes)
Personal online tutoring
EnglishScore Tutors is the British Council’s one-to-one tutoring platform for 13- to 17-year-olds.

Comments

Profile picture for user empty

Submitted by empty on Wed, 04/24/2019 - 08:52

maybe i'd go to Germany because i can speak german

Submitted by Karloos on Thu, 02/21/2019 - 22:33

Good

Submitted by R_Igla on Thu, 02/21/2019 - 22:32

This activity I like because i review the viewed in class

Submitted by Jux on Thu, 02/21/2019 - 22:19

I would like to visit all the country of mexico, the magic towns

Submitted by Ruiz98 on Thu, 02/21/2019 - 22:17

If I had such opportunity, I'd go to tropical islands. I like the nature and the climate, and I also like tropical plants and animals.

Submitted by Amorooz on Thu, 02/21/2019 - 22:16

If i had a chance, i would go to know the beaches of Mexico

Submitted by stynkyx on Thu, 02/21/2019 - 22:13

I would like to go to Japan, because I want to know more about this country and its customs

Submitted by aldoM on Thu, 02/21/2019 - 22:07

If I chose a part of the world to go to, I would travel to Amsterdam because of its cold weather, I would walk all day in its streets admiring its big buildings

Submitted by Fercho97 on Thu, 02/21/2019 - 22:05

it's something surprising since it helped my activity and thus identify how each side of the conditionals is like the verbs in the past

Submitted by avs10 on Thu, 02/21/2019 - 22:03

It is a very difficult question. because I want to visit many places, but I think if I could go anywhere during my vacation, I would go to Canada.

Submitted by Javireyes on Thu, 02/21/2019 - 22:02

the subject is complicated but with practice you can learn the 3 conditionals

Submitted by BrenFelinox on Thu, 02/21/2019 - 22:02

Okay

Submitted by cholo on Thu, 02/21/2019 - 22:01

i want to go places which distinct around the world like Japon ,Franc. Cuz i really love travelling.

Submitted by Jux on Thu, 02/21/2019 - 22:00

I really liked the activity :D

Submitted by tjulio on Thu, 02/21/2019 - 21:59

excellent activity to learn more English

Submitted by RMP on Thu, 02/21/2019 - 21:57

I would go to the Spain. to visit my grandmother!

Submitted by Kevin2609 on Thu, 02/21/2019 - 21:53

If I could go to a place I would go to London England
Profile picture for user Youjiro

Submitted by Youjiro on Sat, 02/02/2019 - 10:03

If I had such opportunity I will go to Thailand in my next holiday. I love Thailand's all of culture such as food,nationality,construction.One of best construction is 101 tower.That is highest tower in Thailand.I would like to to top of 101 to take a photo from top of tower.also food culture is really nice.I love that.If I have money I move to Thailand as soon as possible to enjoy my life In the future .3 year ago I persuaded my parents to move to another country to learn English,but my parent refuse my desire .I hope If I could to store money I move to another country .

Submitted by dogandcat on Tue, 12/18/2018 - 04:12

Can anybody give me the "only if" structure?
Profile picture for user Luigi

Submitted by Luigi on Thu, 09/13/2018 - 10:59

If I get some money, I would like to visit Alaska in my next Holliday’s. I would like to see the northern lights.
Profile picture for user bilko

Submitted by bilko on Wed, 09/12/2018 - 11:20

If I had a chance, I would want to go to the Pluton via SpaceX... :):):)
Profile picture for user Batgirl

Submitted by Batgirl on Sun, 06/10/2018 - 15:41

If I had such opportunity, I'd go to tropical islands. I like the nature and the climate, and I also like tropical plants and animals.

Submitted by Raissa on Tue, 03/20/2018 - 15:37

If I could go anywhere on my holiday, I would go to England to improve my english.
Profile picture for user Zoezoe

Submitted by Zoezoe on Sun, 03/04/2018 - 14:30

I would go to the U.S.A. to visit some friends!
English courses near you