CONDITIONALS AND ALTERNATIVES TO "IF"/ UNIT 5

 

What are Conditionals?

Conditionals are sentences that discuss possible situations and their outcomes. They often use "if" to introduce a condition. There are four main types of conditionals:

1. Zero Conditional: Used for facts or general truths.

Structure: If + present simple, present simple.

Example: If you heat water to 100°C, it boils.

2. First Conditional: Refers to real or possible situations in the future.

Structure: If + present simple, will + base verb.

Example: If it rains tomorrow, I will stay home.

3. Second Conditional: Talks about hypothetical or unlikely situations.

Structure: If + past simple, would + base verb.

Example: If I won the lottery, I would travel the world.

4. Third Conditional: Used for unreal situations in the past.

Structure: If + past perfect, would have + past participle.

Example: If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.

Alternatives to "If":

To add variety and sophistication to your language, you can use alternatives to "if":

1. Unless (means "if not")

Example: Unless you study, you will fail the test. (If you do not study, you will fail.)

2. As long as (emphasizes a condition must be met)

Example: You can borrow my car as long as you drive carefully.

3. Provided (that) / Providing (that) (formal alternatives to "if")

Example: I will help you, provided that you pay me back.

4. In case (means "because something might happen")

Example: Take an umbrella in case it rains.

5. Even if (emphasizes something will happen regardless of the condition)

Example: I will go out even if it rains.

V Supposing (that) / Imagine (that) (introduces hypothetical situations)

Example: Supposing you won the lottery, what would you do?

 

Exercises

1. Complete the sentences with the correct conditional form:

 a) If she _______ (study) harder, she _______ (pass) the exam. (Third Conditional)

 b) I _______ (buy) a car if I _______ (have) enough money. (Second Conditional)

 c) If it _______ (rain) tomorrow, we _______ (stay) home. (First Conditional)

Answers: 

a) had studied / would have passed

b) would buy / had

c) rains / will stay

2. Rewrite the sentences using alternatives to "if": 

a) If you don't leave now, you'll miss the bus. (Use "unless")

b) If you need help, call me. (Use "in case")

c) If I were rich, I would travel the world. (Use "supposing")

Answers: 

a) Unless you leave now, you'll miss the bus.

b) Call me in case you need help.

c) Supposing I were rich, I would travel the world.