Conditional sentences:

Unit 6 types 0, 1 and 2 Grammar e-Dictionary

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6.1 Conditional sentences: an introduction

We use conditional sentences to express that an action or result depends upon

a situation, an event or another action. A conditional sentence is made up of an
if-clause and a main clause.
if-clause main clause

If it is fine tomorrow, we’ll have a picnic.

main clause if-clause

I’ll go with you if I’m free.

The if-clause in a conditional sentence can come at the beginning or end of the
sentence. We use a comma after the if-clause if it comes at the beginning.

If I am free, I’ll go with you.

We’ll have a picnic if it is fine tomorrow.

There are four basic types of conditional sentences. We use different types in
different situations. In this unit, we will talk about three of them.

6.2 Type 0 conditional sentence (zero conditional)

if-clause main clause

simple present tense simple present tense

We use this type of conditional sentence to talk about something that is always true
or something that always happens.

The cooker starts

cooking immediately if
you press this button.

I get stomach ache if I eat too much.

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 6.3 Type 1 conditional sentence (first conditional)

if-clause main clause

simple present tense will + infinitive without to

We use this type of conditional sentence to talk about what is likely to happen in the
future when the condition stated in the if-clause (a situation that is likely to come
true) is fulfilled.

If I go to Beijing next month, I will visit the Great Wall.

Caution
We always use the simple present tense in the if-clause although we are talking
about the future.
 If he will come tomorrow, I’ll give him your message.
 If he comes tomorrow, I’ll give him your message.

NOTE
1 We can use may or can instead of will in the main clause. We often use may when we are less certain
about the outcome, and use can when we are talking about ability or something generally possible.
If we have enough time, we may visit Patrick when we go to Beijing next month.
You can stay with us if you come to Beijing. We have a spare room in our apartment.

2 We can also use the word unless to replace if … not. It is used when we mean except if.
If you do not sing a song to her, she won’t go to sleep.
Unless you sing a song to her, she won’t go to sleep.
She won't go to sleep except if you sing a song to her.

6.4 Type 2 conditional sentence (second conditional)

if-clause main clause

simple past tense would + infinitive without to

We use this type of conditional sentence to describe imaginary or untrue situations

which would result in future events or actions.
imaginary future event/action
imaginary situation

I don't have a bicycle. If I had one, I would go cycling with you.

NOTE
1 We can use were with a singular or plural subject in the if-clause.
If Ann were here now, she would be very happy to see you.

2 In conversation, we often use contracted forms, such as I’d, we’d, you’d, she’d and they’d.
66 If they were here, they’d be amazed.
 Conditional sentences: types 0, 1 and 2 Unit 6

Writing focus
3 We can use might or could instead of would in the main clause. We
often use might when we are less certain about the outcome, and use We often use If I were you, I’d …
could when we are talking about ability. to suggest something.
You’ve just recovered from
Paul has work to do today. If he didn’t, he might want to join us.
flu. If I were you, I’d stay at
I don’t know Janet’s phone number. I could text her now if I knew it. home for a few more days.

Grammar Practice
A Complete the sentences with the correct forms of the verbs in the margin. Use each verb once only to
create sentences that use the zero conditional.

1 If we throw a stone into the air, it falls back to the ground.

bark
2 If we don’t do exercise, we on weight quickly. fall
get
3 If Sue by bus, she feels sick. heat
not/get
put
4 My dog always if it sees a stranger.
run
travel
5 If we water to 100ºC, it boils.

6 If a car out of petrol, the engine stops.

7 If bamboo water, it dies.

8 Jane stomach ache if she eats too quickly.

B Complete each sentence using the correct form of the given verb. Use the first conditional.

1 Tomorrow is a public holiday. We’ll go to the beach if it doesn’t rain/does not rain (not/rain).

2 I haven’t heard from Mandy since last month. I’ll write to her tonight if I
(have) time.

3 We are going to take a ride on the Ngong Ping Cable Car tomorrow. You can join us if you
(be) interested.

4 I may have breakfast with Cindy tomorrow. If I do, I (get) some congee
for you.

5 The weather seems to be improving. If the rain (stop), we may go

shopping.

6 My aunt has recently given birth to a baby boy. If the baby is hungry, he
(cry) loudly.
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 7 You can take an express train to Guangzhou tomorrow. If you take the earliest train, you
(get) there before 9 am.

8 I’m going out but I should be back before 9 pm. If I don’t get home too late, I
(give) you a call.

9 The floor is wet. You’ll slip if you (not/be) careful.

10 You (not/finish) your homework before bedtime if you don’t start doing
it now.

C Complete the following exchanges using the correct forms of the given verbs. Use the second
conditional.

1 A: When are you going to post the letter?

B: Tomorrow. If I weren’t so tired, I would post (post) it now.

2 A: Do you think Jack will come?

B: Jack isn’t interested in parties. I’d be surprised if he (come).

3 A: I’m thinking of changing career.

B: If I were you, I (not/give up) your job.

4 A: Is David here?
B: No, he is ill. If he (not/be), he’d be here with us.

5 A: Is Ann coming?
B: No, she is helping her mother with the cleaning. If she (be) free,
she’d certainly join us.

6 A: Is the beach always this crowded?

B: No. If today weren’t a public holiday, there (not/be) so many
people here.

7 A: What do you think of these trainers?

B: They’re beautiful. I’d buy a pair if they (not/be) so expensive.

8 A: I don’t think I’ll take this medicine. It tastes bad.

B: If I were you, I (follow) the doctor’s instructions.

9 A: Are you going to climb that hill?

B: No, but I (try) to climb it if it weren’t so steep.

10 A: We are late. Let’s take a taxi.

Extra Practice
B: No, let’s take the MTR instead. There’s bound to be a traffic jam during the rush hour.
It (take) even more time if we went there by taxi.
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 Conditional sentences: types 0, 1 and 2 Unit 6

Language Practice
D Conversation
Complete Daisy’s conversation with her mother by filling in the blanks with the correct forms of the
verbs in brackets. Use conditional sentences (types 0, 1 and 2).

Mum It is important to learn how to dress properly. If you (1) dress (dress)
properly, you naturally make a good impression on others. If others have a good
impression of you, you (2) (find) it easier to maintain good
relationships with everyone.

Daisy Stop being so skin-deep, Mum! If you (3) (not/have) a

likeable personality, first impressions (4) (help) much
anyway.

Mum Agreed. However, in this world, many encounters are based on first impressions! If
you (5) (not/dress) properly for a job interview, for example,
your chances of being employed (6) (be) much less!

Daisy That’s a different thing! If I (7) (have) a job interview today,

I (8) (dress) more smartly. It’s common sense.

Mum That was just an example. As you grow older you will attend more professional
occasions. If you (9) (not/know) how to dress accordingly,
you (10) (achieve) less in your career.

Daisy Okay Mum. I’ll consider what you have said.

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 E Email
Anthony has recently got a new dog, but it is very badly behaved. He has written an email to a pet
blogger to ask for some help. Complete his email using the correct forms of the words given in
brackets. Use conditional sentences (type 0 and type 1).

Subject About my new pet dog, Woody … Send

Dear Ms Siu

I am writing to you about my new pet dog, Woody. He is very badly behaved and I worry
that if I (1) do not train (not/train) him now, he (2) (be)

much worse in the future.

One problem is that if he (3) (want) food, he (4)

(eat) anything and everything. I know that dogs (5) (hunt) for food
if they (6) (not/feed), but I feed Woody more than enough. I think

he is just being greedy. Sometimes if I (7) (not/pay) attention,

he (8) (take) the food right off my plate. I worry that if he
(9)
(keep) eating human food, he (10) (become)

ill.

He is also very aggressive with other dogs. Dogs (11) (tend) to

defend their territory if they (12) (feel) threatened, but Woody

growls even at small, friendly dogs. I am worried that if I (13) (not/

fix) this problem, then he (14) (attack) and hurt another dog sooner
or later.

Thank you for taking the time to read my email. If you (15) (have)
any ideas about what I can do, or you (16) (have) any questions, you
(17)
(email) me or call me any time on 9456 1234.

Yours sincerely

Anthony Ng

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 Conditional sentences: types 0, 1 and 2 Unit 6

F Online chat
Complete the following online chat using the correct forms of the verbs given in brackets.

Ryan Hi Evelyn. My friend is in a band and they are looking for a singer. I am really

interested in the job but if I (1) said (say) yes, my parents would be

very angry. ‘If you (2) (spend) an hour practising with that band,

you (3) (have) an hour less to study. You need to focus on your

studies,’ I can imagine them saying. However, I know that if I (4)

(join), I (5) (love) it as I have always wanted to be a singer.

How can I convince them to let me?

Evelyn Hi Ryan. If I (6) (be) you, I (7) (try)

to explain to them fully what this would mean to you. However, before that, you

need to know how much of your time the band would take up. If you don’t know how

much time you’re going to spend on it, it (8) (be) difficult for

you to convince your parents, as this is going to be their main concern.

Ryan Honestly, I have no idea, but I’m already spending a lot of time studying every day,

and I get good grades in all my exams. I don’t think it (9) (do)

much harm if I (10) (spend) a little bit of time doing

something I love.

Evelyn Actually, it’s not about what YOU think. It’s about what THEY think. You need to

reassure them that your grades (11) (not/be affected) if you

(12)
(become) a member of the band. Then, you’ll have to

work extra hard to show them you can do it. After all, actions speak louder than

words.

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 G Comments
An animal keeper was killed by a tiger at a zoo several days ago when she brought it food. Some
readers have left comments under a news article about her death. Complete their comments using
the correct forms of the verbs given in brackets.

Gigi Wong

This is very sad and my thoughts are with the keeper’s friends and family. I (1) would bring

(bring) her back to life if I (2) (have) the power to do so.

Karen Lee

Rest in peace. Some people here blame the tiger and think it should be killed, but tigers are
wild animals and it’s in their nature to hunt and kill prey. We (3) (not/
prevent) future problems even if we (4) (kill) the tiger.

Elaine Tang

As much as I’m sad about the keeper’s death, I agree with Karen. I’d also like to point out
that studies have shown that wild animals (5) (be) more likely to attack
people if they (6) (be kept) in cages round the clock. That’s why the
problem is not with the tiger, but with us. Animals shouldn’t be kept in zoos for our
entertainment.

Martin Cheng

I would go even further and say that wild animals (7) (have) happier lives
if there (8) (be) no zoos anywhere in the world. The reason is simple:
(9)
(you/like) to spend your life in a prison if you (10)
(be) a tiger?

Wayne Cheung

I feel really sorry for the victim and her family. If I (11) (work) in the
government, I (12) (ban) zoos for sure, so that tragedies like this don’t
happen again.

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 Conditional sentences: types 0, 1 and 2 Unit 6

H Interview
Ryan Crest, a TV host, has invited Harry Potter, a wizard, for an interview. Complete their dialogue
by choosing the best answers from the choices below.

Ryan Today, we’re very excited to have Harry Potter with us for an interview! Hello Harry!
Harry Hi everyone!
Ryan Thank you for coming on. I’m now going to ask you some questions from our
audience. Tell me, Harry, is there a spell which allows you to go back in time?
Harry There isn’t a spell for that, but there is a gadget called the Time Turner. If you (1)
the Time Turner, it (2) you back in time.
Ryan Wow, that is so cool! If I (3) go back and correct my mistakes, I (4) a life
with no regrets.
Harry If I (5) you, I (6) tamper with the past. If you (7) the past, you (8)
the present. This could cause you lots of different problems.
Ryan I guess you’re right. I’ll have to reconsider that. Okay, next question. Harry, we know
that both you and your best friend Ron are now working as Aurors*. That’s a very
dangerous job. How (9) you feel if Ron (10) on a mission?
Harry Haha, Ron is a very powerful wizard. If someone (11) to kill him, that person
(12)
suffer. If Ron really (13)
,I (14)
very sad. However, I (15) seek
revenge, because that would result in an endless loop of sadness and hatred.
Ryan Well said, Harry. We’ll return to this interview after a commercial break. Stay tuned!

* In the Harry Potter series of books, an Auror is a police officer in the wizarding world.

(1) A rotate (5) A was (9) A will (13) A die

B rotates B were B would B died
C have rotated C have been C are C dyed

(2) A took (6) A will not (10) A was passing away (14) A would being
B takes B wouldn’t have B pass away B will be
C take C would not C passed away C would be

(3) A can (7) A are changing (11) A would try (15) A won’t
B might B changes B try B will not
C could C change C tried C would not

(4) A would live (8) A will change (12) A would

B live B would change B will
C will be living C had changed C have
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 Using the Language W riting

Describing conditions and results

Language
Pointer

Conditional sentences (type 0)

We can use conditional sentences (type 0) to describe something that is always true or always
happens in, for example, a user manual or a guide.

Example

 Erin is writing a guide to having a cat. Read an excerpt from the guide and note the use of
conditional sentences (type 0).

If your cat raises its tail, this usually means it is happy. However, if it feels threatened or
angry, the hair on its tail becomes bushy. If it holds its body low to the ground, this often
means it’s aggressive. A cat lies on its side if it is really relaxed, and it lies on its chest
with its head raised if it remains alert.
We can use adverbs of frequency (underlined) to indicate
the likeliness of the result of a condition (see Book 1 Unit 1
for more).
Your turn
 Help your friend Laurence complete a guide to understanding a dog’s body language using
conditional sentences (type 0). Use the notes he made during his research below to help you.

tail wagging  happy jumping around  play unhappy  whimpering

feeling scared  tail between happy/upset  barks aggressive  stands tall with head
its legs up and ears back

There are many ways you can tell how your dog feels. If it wags its tail, the dog
(1)
. If it (2) , it wants to play. On the other hand, if it is
unhappy, it (3)
. A dog puts its tail between its legs if (4) .
Confusingly, (5) , so pay attention to the tone
of the bark to tell which it is. Finally, (6)
.

 Write three conditional sentences (type 0). about one or more of the following topics: (1) the
behaviour of a pet of yours; (2) the functions of a particular electronic device; and (3) a habit of yours.

(1)

(2)

(3)
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 Conditional sentences: types 0, 1 and 2 Unit 6

Language
Pointer

Conditional sentences (type 1)

We can use conditional sentences (type 1). to describe consequences or things that may happen
as a result of an action in, for example, an article or a speech.

Example

 Greg is writing a speech about robots taking over humans’ jobs. Read an excerpt from his speech and
note the use of conditional sentences (type 1).

Many people are worried that if robots become more intelligent than they are now, they
will replace humans in many industries. However, I would say these people are worrying
too much. In fact, I believe if artificial intelligence becomes more trusted in the future, it
will be able to take on, for example, dangerous and physically demanding tasks in place of
humans.
We can use for example (underlined) when giving examples to illustrate
our point of view (see Unit 25 for more).

Your turn
 Help your classmate Jimmy complete the following part of a speech about climate change using
conditional sentences (type 1). Use the notes he made below during his research to help you.

not reduce carbon  temp rises 4.5oC sea levels rise  coastal cities around the world flooded
atmosphere too hot  glaciers melt climate changes drastically  serious natural disasters may occur
don’t act now  be too late we all adopt green lifestyle  future gens don’t suffer

If we (1) , our planet’s temperature may rise by as

much as 4.5 degrees Celcius by the end of this century. If the atmosphere becomes too hot,
(2)
. (3)
if sea levels rise. Serious natural disasters (4)
. (5) unless we all adopt
a green lifestyle. (6)
.

 Write three conditional sentences (type 1) about one or both of the following topics: (1) things in
the future that you are hopeful about and (2) things in the future that you are worried about. They
can be future things related to yourself or future things in general.

(1)

(2)

(3)
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 Language
Pointer

Conditional sentences (type 2)

We can use conditional sentences (type 2) to describe imaginary situations and results in, for
example, a letter or email of advice.

Example

 Murphy is writing an email to her friend. Read an excerpt from her email and note the use of
conditional sentences (type 2).

If you believed in yourself more, people wouldn’t even notice that you are shorter
than average. If you were tall but more timid, you wouldn’t be any happier than you
are now. I know it’s sometimes hard, but if you worried less about impressing others,
your friends would actually see you as more confident.

We can use comparative adjectives/adverbs (underlined) when describing how

an imaginary situation is different from reality (see Unit 18 for more).

Your turn
 You are chatting with your friend about how you would like to live on an island. Complete the
messages using conditional sentences (type 2). Use the correct forms of the words given in brackets.

• If I (1) (live) on a tropical island, I (2)

(become) healthier than I am now.

• I (3) (go) swimming every day if I (4)

(have) the time.

• However, I (5) (have to) wake up very early to catch a ferry to

school unless it (6) (be) on the island.

• Another bad thing is that if there was bad weather, I (7) (not
be) able to leave the island.

 Write three conditional sentences (type 2) about what you would do if (1) you moved to a new place
and/or (2) something about you were different from now (e.g. being taller/shorter).

(1)

(2)

(3)
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