Conditional sentences are used in order to express a condition>reaction. In other words, we express that, under a determined condition, something is going to happen (or would happen). Depending on the veracity of the statement, we may use some different conditional structures...
0. The Zero Conditional
This can be said to be... REAL! NECESSARY! UNIVERSAL! A TRUTH! For example...
If you heat water, it boils at 100ºC... and this always happens
We use conditional sentences everyday, almost every time. Don't you trust me? Look!
1. The First Conditional
These sentences establish a condition, and if it happens, an action will take place. Imagine those sentences that your parents or teachers usually say:
"If you tidy your room, you will go out tonight", "If you work hard during the course, you will get some good marks", "If you don't pay attention in class, you won't pass all the exams"
And then this can be said to be... MORE THAN POSSIBLE (teachers and parents are always right... and you know it!)
2. The Second Conditional
Ok, now it's time to think about the lottery. Yes, the lottery. What would you do if you won the lottery?
If I won the lottery I would buy a new car
If I won the lottery I would travel around the world
Yes. Lottery. Just think on LOTTERY and Second Conditional would be much easier for you to understand... :)
3. The Third Conditional
And now hold on to your seats because Third Conditional is coming... I know it's difficult to set the meaning of this conditional, and also I know that we use it without noticing at all. Let's make an effort.
This structure is related to the PAST. For example:
Last year I didn't get good marks, so I couldn't go to Gandia with my friends in summer. What whould have happened if I had got good marks?
If I had got good marks, I would have been to Gandia with my friends in summer
Can you see that? Something happened (I got bad marks) and then I didn't do anything (go on holidays), but this is stuff from the past, I cannot change it! And it's a pity...
Just in case you don't have it clear at all, here you have some TUTORIALS for you to visualize conditionals in a whiteboard. I'm sure it's going to be simplier for you to identify them from now. Good luck!
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