Real Conditional Sentences

UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL EXPERIMENTAL“FRANCISCO DE MIRANDA”

PROGRAMA CIENCIAS DE LA EDUCACIÓNMENCIÓN INGLÉS

Acosta, B. y Colina, I. 2009

Introduction

Hello Students! You already know what

Conditional Sentences are, the structures you have

to follow to form them and also, you have an idea

about the types of Conditional Sentences. But an

idea is not enough, you have to master each one of

them in an adequate way in order to use them in any

communicative situation.

Because of this, the current unit is about Real

Conditional Sentences, as you can see, one of the

types of this complex structures. So pay attention to

the explanation to improve your knowledge…

Objective of the unit

Before starting to study the content you have

to know that at the end of the thematic unit,

you will be able to express information related

to situations which are possible in the present

or the future.

Sketch of the unit

Definition of Real Conditionals

Types of Real Conditionals Zero Conditional First Conditional

Now, Let`s study and pay attention to the explanation to be clear about this

content…

Also, you will see examples of each one of these structures

Real Conditionals are used to express a cause and a result that are likely to

happen.

It means, they are sentences that express a condition and a result which is possible to occur, that’s why they are called Real conditionals.

They are divided into two types:

First Conditional

Zero Conditiona

l

Zero Conditional.

This type of conditional is used to express a general truth, it means; it expresses a cause and its result that will always be the same.

Zero conditional sentences can be used to communicate scientific facts.

Zero Conditional.Let’s take a look of an example!

If you heat wax, it melts. Cause Consequence

Based on this example, we can see that zero conditional sentences consist of two (2) sentences; one that expresses the cause and the other the consequence.

Zero Conditional.

If you heat wax, it melts. Cause Consequence

Now, according to the tenses, we can see that, in zero conditional sentences both clauses (main clause and if clause) are in same tense that is, simple present tense. However, you can use simple past in both sentences to express conditions in the past that used to happen in the same way all the time.

Zero Conditional.

Let’s take a look at more examples:

Sentence Meaning

If you cut your finger, you bleed.

Every time that you cut your finger or any part of your body, blood comes out of it.

If there is no air, wood doesn’t burn.

This is a scientific fact — wood needs air in order to burn.

If you put water in the refrigerator, it freezes.

When you put any liquid into a freezer it becomes in ice.

First Conditional.

This type of conditional expresses conditions and

their possible results whether be in the present

or in the future.

Let’s take a look of an example!

If you save money, you will be able to buy the car.

Cause Consequence

According to this example, first conditional sentences are formed by the main clause in simple future tense and the “if” clause in simple present tense.

First Conditional.

If + subj + verb + comp, Subj + will + verb +comp

Zero Conditional.

Let’s take a look at more examples:

Sentence Meaning

If it doesn’t rain, we will go out tonight.

It is very possible to not rain.

If Marie studies really hard, she will pass the exam.

There is an option that Marie studies for the exam.

If the students arrive late to classes today, They will get suspended.

There is a chance that they be out of time.

It is the end of the class,

now check the activities and

the extra information the

teacher has for you in order

to verify you are clear about

this topic…

Success…!

Real Conditional Sentences