Conditional Sentences: First and Second Conditional B. Troeva, New Bulgarian University

The Conditional Conditional means that you have: 1. a possible/impossible situation – the condition, introduced by ‘if’ or ‘unless’ (‘if not’) 2. and the result from it. For example: If you read books in English, - 1. the condition you will learn more words. - 2. the result

First Conditional The situation: We are talking about the present and the future. There is a real possibility that this condition will happen. An example: It is morning. You are at home. You plan to play tennis this afternoon. But there are some clouds in the sky. Imagine that it rains. What will you do?

First Conditional Use Form There is a real possibility that the situation will happen! IF condition result Present Simple will + infinitive If it rains, I will stay at home.

Second Conditional The situation: We are thinking about the future. But there is not a real possibility that this condition will happen. An example: You do not have a lottery ticket. Is it possible to win? No! No lottery ticket, no win! But maybe you will buy a lottery ticket in the future. So you can think about winning in the future, like a dream. It's not very real as the chances to win are very little.

Second Conditional Form Use If Condition Result Past Simple would (could) I won the lottery, I would give you half the money! There is an unreal possibility that the situation will happen!

More examples of the Second Conditional If I had lots of money, I would travel more. If I knew, I would tell you but I don’t know. Important In the Second Conditional you may use ‘were’ instead of ‘was’: If he was/were the president… If I was/were your brother,… But you always say: If I were you,…