Master Conditionals in 5 Days or Less!

Master Conditionals in 5 Days or Less! Trying to learn  all of the English conditionals at once can be a daunting (and confusing!) task.  So, I suggest splitting up  the following 5 mini lessons over 5 days.  That way, you can let your brain digest the information and maybe even  get a chance to use your new knowledge  in a conversation  that day.  If you need a native speaker to practice with, schedule a class with one of our friendly, professional English teachers!  So, well spend a day on each of the four conditional types, and then take  a quiz at the end.  Lets get started!Types of Conditionals:ConditionalUseIf clause (condition) Main clause (result)Zero                           General truth, imperativesPresent simplePresent simpleFirstReal and probable situationsPresent simpleFutureSecondUnreal, imaginary situationsPast simpleWould + verbThirdUnreal past situation and probable result in pastPast perfectWould have + past participleDAY 1: ZERO CONDITIONALIf/When + (subject) + (present simple), (subject) + (pres ent simple)If/When this thing happens, that thing happens.If/When + (subject) + (present simple), (imperative)If/When this thing happens, do thisUses:We use zero  conditional to talk aboutFacts: If water temperature goes  below 0 °C, it freezes.General truths:  When I take the train, I bring  a book.  Imperatives: If you see him, be nice.Good to know:For all of the conditionals, we can flip the sentences around by putting the main clause/result first and the if/when clause second.  Like this:(Subject) + (present simple) if/when (subject) + (present simple).  That thing happens if/when this thing happens.We can use both if and when for zero conditional, but if suggests that something happens less often.  For example, If she gets a day off from work, she spends time with her  son.  This gives the idea that she doesnt get many days off work.  On the other hand, when suggests that something happens more frequently.  For example, When I read a book, I dont listen to music.  This gives the idea that I read books frequently.Practice:  For each exercise, write your answers in the comments section.When he (have/has) time, he (cook/cooks) dinner for me.We (go/went) to yoga together when we (had/have) the same day off.I _____ (to ride) my bike to work when I ____ (to have) time.If she _____ (to go) to a friends house, she usually (not/to bring) drinks.____ (to read) the newspaper if there ___ (to be) nothing on TV.Great job!  Remember, the best way to learn is to practice, so try to use this grammar in a conversation today.  Maybe youll talk to someone about what you usually read  when you take the train.  Need a chance to practice English with an LOI instructor?  Schedule a conversation class today!DAY 2: FIRST CONDITIONALIf/When + (subject) + (present simple), (subject) +  will/(be) going to + (verb)If this thing happens, that thing will happen.When  this thing happens, that thing is going to happen.Uses:We use first conditional to talk aboutWhat you think will happen in a specific situation in the future: If the weather is nice, I will bike to work.When I have a day off work, Im going to visit my sister.Good to know:If and when can both be used in first conditional, but if suggests that youre not sure if something will happen or not.  For example, If it is sunny tomorrow, Ill wear  sunglasses.  We dont know what the weather will be like.    When suggests that you know this thing will happen at some point.  For example, When I see her, Ill give that to her.  You know you will see her at some point.Conditional modals:Could:  We could go swimming if its sunny tomorrow.Should:  If she asks you on a date, you should say yes.Might:  If she invites me to the party, I might go.Watch and listen:  Heres a quick, helpful video to clarify the uses of first and zero conditional.Practice:If we (went/go) to her house tonight, we (should take/should taken) a bottle of wine.Q: What are you going to do if it (snow/snows)?A: Im just (going to shovel/will shovel) the snow away.When you ____ (to call) me, I ____ ____ (to give) you my address.We ____ ___ (to hug) her if we ___ (to see) her.Excellent work with day 2!  Only 3 more to go.  Dont forget to practice this conditional in a conversation today.  Maybe you can talk with a colleague about what you will do in future scenarios at work.  Dont forget to schedule a conversation class with LOI if youd like to practice with a native speaker.DAY 3: SECOND CONDITIONALIf + (subject) (past simple), (subject) would + (verb)If this thing happened, that thing would happen.If + (subject) (past simple), (subject) + would be + (verb)ingIf this thing happened, that thing would be happening.Watch and learn:Uses:What we would generally do in imaginary situations: If I won the lottery, I would buy a vacation home.Good to know:We cant use when since were talking about  imaginary situations that probably wont happenIt is considered grammatically incorrect to use was, in this conditional.  For example:If he were rich, hed buy a car.If he were rich, hed be buying a car.Conditional modal verbs:Might: If he had time, he might be able to do it.Could: If I had a lot of money, I could  take us to the beach.Should: If she asked you to help, you should help her.Practice:  Fill in the gaps below. You’ll use a verb in the past simple for the first part, followed by a modal verb in the second part of the sentence.  (See Pauls full second conditional lesson here!)1. If you ___  more time, you ____ be able to study more English.2.  If you _____ more, you ____ be healthier.3. If I ___ more money, I ______ work so much.4. If you ____ more money, you ____ have to work so much.5. If he ____ a lot of English classes, his English _____ be great.Complete the sentences below.1. If I had a million dollars, _____________________.2. If you were smart, ____________________.3. ________________________, I would be happy.4. _________________________, I would travel the world.5. _________ ________________, I wouldn’t study English.Now, practice with Beyoncé:  (See the full lesson here!)If I were a boy I’d _______out of bed in the morning and go.If I were a boy _______ drink beer with the boys.If I were a boy I’d ______I could understand. (Note: could is the participle hear.)If I were a boy, I swear to you, I would ______ a better man.……______ listen to her.If I were a boy I’d ______off my phone.…____put myself first.Youve had lots of practice today.  Great work!  Remember to reinforce  all this new knowledge in a conversation sometime today!DAY 4: THIRD CONDITIONALIf + (subject) + (past perfect), (subject) + would have + (past participle)If this thing had happened, this thing would have happened.If (subject) + (past perfect), (subject) + would have been + (verb)ingIf this thing had happened, this thing would have been happening.Uses:Imaginary situations in the past:  If I had won the lottery last week, I would have bought a house.What you would have done differently:  If I had known better, I would have payed more attention in school.Good to know:Only use if to discuss imaginary situationsConditional modals:Could have:  I could have practiced Spanish if I had gone on the trip.Should have:  If I had had money, I should have gone to the concert.Might have:  If I had had time off work, I might have gone home for the holidays.Practice:If he had (had/has) more time, he (could have go/could have gone) to the gym.You (would have read/would had read) more as a child if you (hasnt/hadnt) played so many sports.If I ___ ______ (to work) harder, I _____ ____ ____ (to make) more money.We _______ ____ ____ (not/to do) it if we ___ ____ (to know) it would upset you.If you ___ _______ (to decide) to move to Europe, what city _____ you ____ ______ (to choose)?Awesome!  Youve almost completed the five day challenge.  For a little something extra today, try this 3rd conditionals  quiz!DAY 5: PUT IT ALL TOGETHER!Congratulations, youve made it to the fifth day!  Hopefully by now youre feeling pretty confident with all of the conditionals.  Today well put all that knowledge to the test with a quiz and yet another challenge.Quiz:If the weather is nice tomorrow, he  ____ ____ (to take) her out for a picnic.Im sorry, I didnt realize you were allergic to peanuts.  If I ___ _____ (to know), I _____ ____ ____ (to tell) you.  (If/When) I go out to lunch, I usually go to the Thai place down the street.If I ___ (to have) enough money, I _____ __ (to go) to Canada.  Unfortunately, I dont have any money!She doesnt like running, and she thinks its really boring.  (If/When) she goes running, it is a very short distance.Please ___ (to set) the table when the guests ______ (to arrive).We _____ __ ______ (to be laying) on the beach right now if we ____ (to be) still on holiday.My friend is always texting.  (If/When) she gets a text message, she writes back immediately.I love to go running!  When I ____ (to have) enough energy, I ___ (to run) in  the park.I really wanted to go running with my friend last night, but I was too tired.  If I ___ ___ (to have) enough energy, I _____ ____ ____ (to go) with her.A: Im sorry, I dont know what he got you for Christmas.  B:  _____ you  ____ (to tell) me if you ____ (to know)?Im not a man, but if I ____ (to be) a man, my name _____ __ (to be) Derrick.Its a shame Phil is not here.  If he ____ (to be) here, he _____ ____ (can/to cook) us something nice.If you ____ (to help) me carry these boxes, I ____ ___ (to buy) you a beer later.If you ___ (to eat) too much, you ___ (to get) sick.Dont forget  that singing is also a great way to remember grammar, learn new vocabulary and practice fluency.  So, review  all the conditionals with  these hit songs!If you just cant get enough of conditionals, dont worry, heres a bonus challenge for you.  Its a short video about how we mix our tenses  when using conditionals.  Watch it  and try the exercise below.  (Click here for Pa uls  full post).1. If you __________ (insulted) him yesterday, he _______ __ ____ to the wedding tomorrow. 2. If she __________ (accepts) the promotion, she ____ __ ____ to Brazil in 2015. (future using will) 3. I ________ ______ (speak) fluent Spanish, if I ____ lived in Spain for 10 years. 4. He _____ _____ ____ (left), if he ____ _____ (known) you were coming.