Unit 8
Conditional sentences
In a conditional sentence , one action depends on another. The sentence in italics below tells us what will happen in the future as the result of a certain action. The subordinate (or ‘if’) clause is in the present tense. The main clause is in the future tense: If you don’t stop it, you will both get detention.
subordinate clause main clause You will get this presentation done quickly if you co-operate.
main clause
subordinate clause
1 Complete the sentences with the verb in the correct tense. 1 If we _________(argue) less, we _________ (achieve) more. 2 We _________ (finish) the project in time if we _________ (share) the work. 3 If you _________ (help) me learn this poem, I _________ (help) you learn those spellings. 4 We _________ (have) time to play if we _________ (do) our homework now. 5 I’m worried that I _________ (be) late if I _________ (walk) to school. 6 If I _________ (turn off) the lights, it _________ (save) electricity. 2 Finish these sentences with your own ideas. 1 If I do all my homework, __________. 4 If I don’t go to school, __________. 2 If Mom loses her keys, __________.
5 If we keep our classroom tidy, __________. 6 If you are not kind to other people, __________.
3 If I have a problem, __________.
The conditional sentence below tells us what might happen in the future. If they played as a team, they would win the match.
simple past
would + root verb
3 Match 1–5 with A–E to form complete sentences. 1 If I wanted a pet
A if my friend moves away.
2 I would be very sad 3 If I had a guitar 4 Joel would laugh 5 Mom would worry
B if I got home late. C I would be sick. D I would get a parrot.
E I would practise every day.
• You may wish to also teach the second conditional which says what might happen as the result of a certain action. It uses the past tense and ‘would’ + the root verb. (If we used less energy global warming would slow down.) Practise this tense by asking students questions beginning, “What would you do if… (you found a wallet in the street, you had a special power, etc.)?” • Exercise 3: Practise this type of conditional sentence by asking students questions, e.g. What would you do if you won a lot of money? Where would you go if you had a day off school? If you could meet a famous person, who would it be?
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