1

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 11

if ...ZeroFirst

Second

Third

General truth

If you freeze water, it becomes ice.

Possibilities in the present or in the future

If it's sunny, we'll go for a walk.

Imaginary Present or Unlikely Future

If we won the lottery, we would travel around the world.

Imaginary Past

If I had known your phone, I would have called.

2

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 11

All conditional sentences consist of two clauses, an "if-clause” and a “main clause”

if clausepresent

main clausepresent

If you heat water to 100 degrees, it boils.

0 - The structure of a zero conditional sentence (General truth)

□ If the "if-clause” comes first, a comma is usually placed. If the "if-clause” comes second, there is no comma:

main clause if clauseWater boils if you heat it to 100 degrees.

□ We use the same verb form in each part of a zero conditional: the simple present tense:

if clause if + subject + simple present verb

main clause subject + simple present verb

→ Note that most zero conditional sentences will mean the same thing if "when" is used instead of "if"): When you heat water to 100 degrees, it boils.

3

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 11

Using the zero conditionalThe zero conditional is used to talk about things which are always true, scientific facts, general truths, and so on:

Examples Explanations● If you cross an international date line, the time changes. □ This always happens, every time you cross a dateline.

●If you go 10 meters under water, the pressure increases to two atmospheres.

□ This is basically always true - the pressure of 10 meters of water equals one atmosphere.

● Phosphorus burns if you expose it to air. □ This is a scientific fact - you can test it in a laboratory.

Are you ready for a little test on zero conditional? ORDER AND WRITE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES:

1. you / cut/ your finger / it / bleed

2. cork / float / you / drop / it / in water

3. you / not / eat / you die

4. it / not / rain / the grass / not / grow

5. iron / rust / it / get / wet

6. you / heat / butter / it / melt

4

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 11

1. If you cut your finger, it bleeds.

2. Cork floats if you drop it in water.

3. If you don’t eat, you die.

4. If it doesn’t rain, the grass doesn’t grow.

5. Iron rusts if it gets wet.

6. If you heat butter, it melts.

ANSWERS:

5

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 11

1st - The structure of a first conditional sentence (possibility in present or future)

if clause main clauseIf you study hard, you will pass the test.

main clause if clauseYou will pass the test if you study hard.

We use different verb forms in each part of a first conditional:

if clause if + subject + simple present verb

main clause subject + will + verb (future simple)

6

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 11

The first conditional is used to talk about things which are possible in the present or the future - things which may happen:

Example ExplanationIf it's sunny, we'll go jogging. Maybe it will be sunny - that's possible.

You won’t pass your exam if don’t study hard. Maybe you won’t pass - that's possible.

If the baby is hungry, it'll cry. Maybe it will be hungry - that's possible.

USE of the first conditional:

I think you are ready for a little test on first conditional!

7

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 11

1 If you ________ an apple every day, _________ very healthy. (eat – be)

2 If you _______ so much sugar in your coffee, you ________ a lot of weight! (put – put on)

3 You ________ higher insurance if you ________ a sports car. (pay – buy)

4 He ________ nicer if he ________ this awful fringe. (look – cut)

5 You ________ better if you _______ the lamp. (able / see - turn on)

ACTIVITY with the FIRST CONDITIONAL:

8

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 11

ANSWERSANSWERSANSWERSANSWERS

1. eat / you’ll be

2. put / will put on

3. will pay / buy

4. will look / cut

5. will be able / turn on

9

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 11

2nd - The structure of a second conditional sentence (Imaginary Present or Unlikely Future)

if clause main clause

The Second Conditional expresses a hypothesis in present and can be used to talk about imaginary present situations, where we are imagining something different from what is really the case. We can also use it to talk about things in the future that are unlikely to happen, as the condition is unlikely to be met. We use the past simple in the condition part and would /could or might + bare infinitive for the result.

If I had money, I would buy a better car

if clause if + subject + past simple verb

main clause subject + would + base verb (bare infinitive)

We use different verb forms in each part of a second conditional:

→ but I don’t have money, so won’t buy it. present future

If I had the

money …

10

FCEby Matifmarin

GRAMMAR – UNIT 11

IF Condition Time Result Possibility

  past simplepresen

tWOULD + base verb impossible

If I had the time, I would learn Chinese. I don't have the time, so I'm not going to learn Chinese.

  past simple future WOULD + base verb unlikely

If I won the lottery I would travel around the world. There's a very small chance of winning the lottery, so the trip is unlikely

If I had the time …

If I won the lottery …

…

Second Conditional: Imaginary Present or Unlikely Future

11

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 11

□ Poor Peter!

Complete the sentences with the correct verb. In the sentences where both was/were are possible, use were:

ACTIVITY with the SECOND CONDITIONAL:

(a) If Peter ____ (not/watch) so many horror films, he ____ (not/be) scared of the dark. (b) If Peter ____ (be) braver, he ____ (not/feel) frightened of thunder and lightning.(c) If Peter ____ (not/spend) so much time playing video games, he ____ (get) better grades at

school.(d) If Peter ____ (eat) healthier food, he ____ (not/be) ill so often.(e) If he   ____ (not/be) ill so often, he ____ (not/miss) so many classes.(f) If his parents ____ (not/allow) him to drink so much coke, he ____ (sleep) much better.(g) If Peter ____ (sleep) better at night, he ____ (start) his day with more energy.(h) If he ____ (start) his day with more energy, he ____ (do) many more things.(i) If Peter ____ (practise) a sport, he ____ (keep) fit and healthy.(j) If he ____ (keep) fit and healthy, he ____ (feel) more confident.(k) If he ____ (feel) more confident, his self-esteem ____ (increase).(l) If his self-esteem ____ (increase), he ____ (not/have) so many problems to sleep at night.

12

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 11

ANSWERS

Poor Peter!(a) didn't watch / wouldn't be

(b) were / wouldn't feel

(c) didn't spend / would get

(d) ate / wouldn't be

(e) weren't / wouldn't miss

(f) didn't allow / would sleep

(g) slept / would start

(h) started / would do

(i) practised / would keep

(j) kept / would feel

(k) felt / would increase

(l) increased / would have

13

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 11

3rd - The structure of a third conditional sentence (Imaginary Past)

The third conditional is used when we are talking about the past and imagining something different from what actually happened:

if clause main clauseIf had known his telephone number, I would have phoned him.

→ but I didn’t know it, so I didn’t phone him. past past

If I had known his number…

We use different verb forms in each part of a third conditional:

if clause if + subject + past perfect verb

main clause subject + would + present perfect verb (would + have + participle)

14

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 11

Third Conditional: Imaginary Past

IF Condition Result Certainty

  past perfect WOULD HAVE + past participle  

If I had known, I would have helped. Although this didn't happen, the speaker is sure about the result.

If I had known, I could have helped. Although this didn't happen, the result is only a possibility.

If I had known, I might have helped. Although this didn't happen, the result is only a possibility.

If you had known, You should have helped. Although this didn't happen, it is only a good suggestion or piece of advice.

I would have helped if I had

known.

You shouldn’t

have done …

I wouldn't have touched you if I had known.

15

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 11

ACTIVITY with the THIRD CONDITIONAL:

1. Complete the following sentences with the THIRD CONDITIONAL. Use contractions for the negative verbs:

(a) If Roberto _____ (not/lose) his job as a salesman in Madrid, he ____ (not/move) to Barcelona.(b) If he _____ (not/move) to Barcelona, he ____ (not/find) a job in Sara’s company.(c) If he ____ (not/find) a job in Sara’s company, he ____ (not/meet) Sara.(d) If he ____ (not/meet) Sara, they ____ (not/fall) in love.(e) If they ____ (not/fall) in love, they ____ (not/marry).

(1) If the weather had been better yesterday, …

2. Choose the correct ending for the following sentences:

(a) we had gone to the lake (b) we'd have gone to the lake (c) we'd had gone to the lake.

(2) If Julia had arrived on time last night, …

(a) we would have watched a film together. (b) we had watched a film together (c) we could watch a film together.

(3) If I had studied more for my exams, …

(b) my grades would be better. (b) my grades would have been better (c) my grades had been better.

(4) We would have had a wonderful weekend …

(a) if it hadn't begun to rain (b) if it hadn't began to rain (c) if it would have begun to rain.

5. The party would have been more fun …(a) if my parents hadn't decided to stay (b) wouldn't have decided to stay (c) would have decided to stay.

16

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 11

ANSWERS

(a) hadn’t lost / wouldn’t have moved(b) hadn’t moved / wouldn’t have found(c) hadn’t found / wouldn’t have met(d) hadn’t met / wouldn’t have fallen(e) hadn’t fallen / wouldn’t have married

1. Complete the following sentences…

2. Choose the correct ending

1 (b)2 (a)3 (b)4 (a)5 (a)

17

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 11

1. If they ______ (find) your bag, they _____ (give) it back to you at once I am sure of that.

2. Probably, you left your bag somewhere else. If they ____ (find) it, they ____ (give) it back to you at once when you asked for it.

3. If they _____ (find) your bag, they _____ (give) it back to you at once but I am not sure that you left it there.

4. If Mary ____ (find) anything on the street, she always _____ (take) it to the lost and found office.

5. I bought an expensive toaster yesterday. If I ____ (not/buy) it I ____ (not/spend) so much money.

6. Although, I can make very tasty breakfast now. If ____ (not/buy) it yesterday, I ____ (not/be) able to cook tasty breakfast tomorrow.

7. I ____ (try) out some new recipes from the book that came along with the toaster, unless I ____ (forget) to buy all the ingredients at the store today.

8. When people ____ (buy) something new, no matter if it is a jumper, a car, or a toaster, they ____ (use) it continually for a while, and then sometimes forget about it.

9. If I ____ (have) some free time, but I am extremely busy, I ____ (go) to the shopping center.

10. When John ____ (arrive) home, his dog always ____ (run) to greet him.

0,1,2,3 conditionals, mixedFill in the gaps with the suitable conditionals:

□ If he had known it was your birthday, you would now have a nice bunch of flowers. 3rd Cond. 2nd Cond.□ If he comes to the party tomorrow, he would bring a nice bunch of flowers. 1st Cond. 2nd Cond. □ If he loved you, he would have given you a nice bunch of flowers already. 2nd Cond. 3rd Cond.

18

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 11

ANSWERS

1. find / will give (= 1st Cond.)

2. had found / would have given (3rd Cond.)

3. found / would give (2nd Cond.)

4. finds / takes (0 Cond.)

5. hadn't bought / wouldn't have spent (3rd Cond.)

6. hadn't bought / wouldn't be (3rd and 2nd Cond.)

7. will try / forget ( = 1st Cond.)

8. buy / use (0 Cond.)

9. had / would go (2nd Cond)

10. arrives / runs (0 Cond.)

19

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 11

Alternative words for if.

Practice Rewrite the sentences replacing if with the most appropriate conjunction:

I understand. I can go out if I come

back by midnight. Am I Cinderella?

Ok. You can go out as long as you’re back by midnight

20

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 11

ANSWERS

2. unless

3. if only

4. Supposing

5. Assuming

6. What if

21

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 11

AGREEMENT – DISAGREEMENT

A. AGREEMENT1.- Positive:

SO + AUXILIARY + SUJECTe.g.: I like music - So do I.

2.- Negative:NEITHER + AUXILIARY (positive) + SUJECTSUJECT + AUXILIARY (negative) + EITHERNor + AUXILIARY (positive) + SUJECT

Examples: □ He hasn’t made this cake. - Neither have we. □ I can't play tennis. - I can't either.□ They don't like coffee. - Nor do I.

B. DISAGREEMENTSUJECTO + AUXILIARY (positive / negative)

Examples: I like studying English. - I don't. I didn't studied for the exam. - I did.

22

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 11

Expression Example

both … and … I like both cats and dogs.

so Jane likes cats. So do I.

not … either Jane doesn't like cats. I don't like cats either.

either … or … Jane either has a cat or a dog.

neither/nor Jane doesn't like cats. Neither do I./Nor do I.

neither … nor …

I like neither cats nor dogs.

Agreement: □ So + auxiliary verb + subject (with positive sentences)                     e.g. I am a student. So, am I. □ Neither + auxiliary verb + subject (with negative sentences)                     e.g. I am not a doctor. Neither, am I.

□ Neither ... nor (conjunction to join two phrases): e.g.: The coat was neither cheap nor nice.

REMEMBER!! As “neither” and “none” are already negative, we don’t use any auxiliary + not in a negative sentence.EXAMPLES:Neither of them didn’t see the movie. → Neither of them saw the film.None of us doesn’t speak Chinese. → None of us speaks Chinese. [None = not one]

● Notice that both of these sentences could be considered correct: None of us speaks Chinese. (= Not one); None of us speak Chinese. (Not any = neither you nor me speak) subject subject

23

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 11

I am afraid of spiders!!

I must hurry, it’s late

already.

Oh God!!So must I.

You look

good!!So do you!

(you too)

I neither like Christmas

nor Thanks giving!!

Neither can I.

(Nor can I)(I can’t either)

Help, I can’t swim!!

So am I.(me too)

24

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 11

1. Complete the following with the correct form of agreement:

1. like milk. ___________2. I can't drive a bus. _________3. I am a good student. _________4. I ate pizza yesterday. __________5. I have got a lot of friends. _________6. I didn't go to the cinema last month. __________7. I don't like oranges. _________

2. Complete the following with the correct form of agreement using the words given:  e.g. I like pizza. (Julia) —> So, does Julia.

1. I can play tennis. (Jerry) 2. I love chocolate. (my brother) 3. I am tall. (my friends) 4. I haven't done my homework. (Sue) 5. I don't like loud music. (my neighbour) 6. We can't speak Italian. (our friends)

3. Complete the following sentences with the correct form of disagreement using the word given:e.g. They went on holiday to Spain. (We) —> We, didn’t.

1. I like coffee with lots of sugar. (my sister) 2. They have finished their work. (we) 3. I don't understand German. (my friends) 4. I went to the cinema yesterday. (Peter) 5. She'll wake up very early on Sunday. (her mother)6. He won't go to Peter's party. (his girlfriend and I)7. They can't speak English. (my students)

25

FCEby Matifmarin GRAMMAR – UNIT 11

EndEnd EndEnd

1. Complete the following with the correct form of agreement.1. So do I.2. Neither can I.3. So am I.4. So did I. 5. So have I. 6. Neither did I. 7. Neither do I.

2. Complete the following with the correct form of agreement using the words given. e.g. I like pizza. (Julia) —> So, does Julia.

1. So does Jerry. 2. So does my brother.3. So are my friends. 4. Neither has Sue.5. Neither do my neighbour. 6. Neither can our friends. / Our friends either. / Nor our friends.

ANSWER

3. Complete the following sentences with the correct form of disagreement using the word given: e.g. They went on holiday to Spain. (We) —> We, didn’t.

1. My sister doesn't.2. We haven't. 3. My friends do.4. Peter didn't. 5. Her parents won't.6. His girlfriend and I will.7. My students can.