1. Present Real Conditionals 1
Use present real conditionals for general truths. Use
the simple present in both clauses.
If your body temperature is above 37.5º, you have a fever.
result clause
if clause
If people get sick, they sometimes try herbs.
result clause
if clause

2. Present Real Conditionals 2
Conditional sentences have an if clause (condition)
and a result clause.
If people get sick,
some people try herbal remedies.
if clause
result clause

3. Present Real Conditionals 3
Use real conditionals for habits and things that
happen again and again.
If I’m feeling sick, I eat more garlic.
if clause
simple present or
present progressive
result clause
simple present

4. When You can often use when instead of if.
If I have a sore throat, I take licorice root.
When I have a sore throat, I take licorice root.

5. Use with Modals You can use modals in the result clause.
If you aren’t sleeping well, you can drink chamomile tea.
If you get a burn, you might use aloe gel.

6. Practice 1 Example: drink green tea / may lower your blood sugar
Combine each group of words to make a sentence with a conditional clause and a result clause.
Practice 1
Example: drink green tea / may lower your blood sugar
If you drink green tea, you may lower your blood sugar.
1. take ginkgo / memory might improve
If you take ginkgo, your memory might improve.
2. drink lots of water/ can heal skin problems
If you drink lots of water, it can heal skin problems.
3. eat less meat / could lower your cholesterol
If you eat less meat, you could lower your cholesterol.

7. Use with Imperatives You can use imperatives in the result clause.
If you take herbs, tell your doctor.
If you have a headache, smell these flowers.

8. Clause Order
A conditional sentence can begin with the if clause or the result clause.
If you have motion sickness,
If you have motion sickness,
eat ginger root.
eat ginger root.
if clause
result clause
Eat ginger root if you have motion sickness.
result clause
if clause

9. Be Careful!
Use a comma between the two clauses only when the if clause comes first. ,
If you have motion sickness
eat ginger root.
if clause
Eat ginger root ,
if you have motion sickness.
if clause

10. Practice 2 Example: If you are nauseous, ginger settles your stomach.
Reverse the order of the clauses in each sentence. Be careful with punctuation.
Example: If you are nauseous, ginger settles your stomach.
Ginger settles your stomach if you are nauseous.
1. If you get a burn, use aloe gel.
Use aloe gel if you get a burn.
2. Take an aspirin when you have a headache.
When you have a headache, take an aspirin.
3. If you are sick, tell your doctor.
Tell your doctor if you are sick.

11. Use with Negatives You can make either or both clauses negative.
If I drink slippery elm tea, I don’t cough as much.
If I’m not sleeping well, I don’t drink coffee.

12. Practice 3 Complete the sentences with remedies you use.
Example: If I have a cold. . .
If I have a cold, I eat a bowl of chicken noodle soup.
1. If I have a headache. . .
2. When I can’t sleep. . .
3. If I have a stomachache. . .
4. Whenever I have the hiccups. . .
5. If I ___________ . . .

13. References
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