Conditionals

TEACHING CONDITIONALS   If...

There are 4 conditionals – using If...

Science  (use present tense)    zero conditional

If I drop a glass it breaks.

If you heat water it boils.

Possible plan (future / use will)    first conditional

If I pass my exams, I will go on holidays.

Possible but unlikely   (use past / use would)   2^nd conditional

If I went to Moscow, I’d eat caviar.    (I’m NOT going)

UNREAL SITUATION  3rd conditional  

Impossible  (use had + past participle )

If I had (I’d) gone to Russia, I’d have seen Honda play.

{ It is impossible because it is in the past. }