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First and second conditionals review

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Presentation / Objective

What do you think of exams?
They are really annoying, right?
But have you wondered why?


Well, we know that because most students do not study to be prepared for an exam. So if students knew this, I am pretty sure, they would review their notes in advance.


conditionals


In this topic, you will learn to speculate about different possibilities for the future and present. This can be achieved by exploring the first and second conditionals.

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Objective:

By the end of this topic: you will be able to express hypothetical situations in the present through the use of the first and second conditionals.

Content

First and second conditionals review

Look carefully at the sentences previously mentioned. What are they expressing? Conditions and consequences? Do students really prepare themselves before an exam? What are they thinking about when taking an exam?

Before beginning the topic, it is essential to be clear about what a conditional and a condition is. The conditional is a part of a sentence and even the sentence itself, which expresses a state. A condition is what has to happen before something else can happen. In other words, a conditional is a way of expressing that something depends on something else. As simple as that! Let's go back to the student's example to pass an exam.


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There are 4 main types of conditional sentences. However, in this topic, we will only review the first and second conditionals. The first and second conditionals are structured in two parts. Click on each tab to review each of the forms.

• The if part, known as if clause.

• The other part, known as main clause where you can use words such as can, will, may, might, could and would.

• These two parts or clauses are set together, because one is the condition that makes the other one possible.

Now look at the following image and review the sentences. Notice that in each of them, the characters want something (real or unreal), but for this to happen, they must fulfil a condition. Click on each tab to review the examples.


1

• If I were Ironman, I could fly.

• I would be Ironman unless I got superpowers

iroman

2

• If I were at the beach, I wouldn’t be so bored.

• If I finish on time, I will go to the beach.

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3

• He will play video games all day, if he can.

• Unless someone turns off the PC he will play all day in the computer.

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First conditional


First conditional sentences are called real conditionals because they are made of a real condition in the future, that is, a real possibility. Click on the tabs to review how the sentences are structured with the first conditional.

Observe the following examples. Click the tabs to review them.


If you are hungry, I’ll make you something to eat.


If the IF clause appears first, then you will use a comma in between.

I won’t go to the park if it rains


You may use the future clause first and then the if clause without using a comma.

Second Conditional

The second conditional is used to talk about things which are unreal in the present and have little possibility to happen in the future. Click the tabs to review how the first conditional sentences are structured.


Look at the following examples. Click the tabs to review them.


If I had a lot of money, I’d travel around the world.


The reality is that I do not have a lot of money

If I were you, I would (‘d) apply for the job


I am not you, but that is what I would do in your place

Finally…


The following table will allow you to remember the use of the first and second conditional


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Work Out



Now that you have revised the conditional structure let’s practice some more! By the end of this unit, you will be an expert expressing facts and hypothetical situations.

Read the following sentences and decide if it is 1st or a 2nd conditional.


Reading

Activity 1

If I were a…

The first and second conditional allow us to express hypothetical situations that have not happened and that can be real or unreal. In the following text, you will read a person's opinion about what he would do if he were a scientist in the future. The text contains several conditional clauses. You can read it twice.


I believe that we are suffering from the effect of a poorly applied science and the remedy is to use it adequately. Hence I need not offer any apologies for wishing to be a scientist. I want to be a scientist and make a difference. In every minor detail of our life science plays a precious role. I wish to contribute my share in making this world a better place.


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Adapted from English for Students (s/a) If I were a Scientist. Consulted January 20, 2017 from http://bit.ly/2jTaFye


If I were a scientist, I would like to be independent of all important businesses and industrial magnates who try to exploit scientists for their own selfish ends. A scientist can be lured away from his right path by the prospects of fame, material gain or few other earthly considerations. Now business and industry are by and large governed by science. Thus there is every chance of science being abused and exploited for sheer personal and selfish purposes. Personally, I would try to remain clear of these temptations.


If I were a Scientist, I would endeavour to be an ideal scientist. My sole mission would be to discover every possible mystery in nature. Also, I would also refuse to let my discoveries be exploited for immoral or unrest purposes. I know this ideal is not comfortable to achieve, but I would not put it aside for fear of poverty, misery or suffering.


The modern man lives in an environment which is predominantly the creation of modern science. The power of science is gigantic, almost boundless. It has infinite potentialities for good and evil. Science is abstract and is a non-human force, and it is only the scientist who can determine whether he or she can be the benefactor or destroyer of mankind.



Listening

Activity 2

If it’s good…

Are you familiar with Hercules story? What if he were a man and not a half-god? What if he weren’t in love with Meg? You will watch an extract from the Disney movie Hercules. Be attentive and catch the conditional situations occurring there.

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Learn with videos (2012) Learn If-Clauses (First Conditional) with "Hercules" [Video] Consulted January 20, 2017 from http://bit.ly/2jTbbfl


After watching the video, resolve the following activity.

Writing

Activity 3

If I would travel

Whenever we travel, we like to imagine our trip before we start it. Plans always begin like hypothetical situations or very realistic scenarios of future events.

Imagine a trip to Athens with your best friend. Chose a date that is ideal for you and do some research on what you could do on for your trip.

grecia


Write a 150-word text that explains your plans for the trip. Talk about activities, the weather, and all the possibilities you can think of about this destination. The document must include at least, 5 sentences using the first and 8 sentences using the second conditional.

Click on Activity to self-evaluate your work. Use the rubrics to evaluate your performance in grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and fluency.


Sample text:

If I could travel to Greece, I would choose the month of March. It wouldn’t be too hot, so I could visit many places and even take a tour of the Greek Islands.



Speaking

Activity 4

If I were… again


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We have reviewed, the first and second conditional. It allows us to express hypothetical situations, some real some other not. In the next activity, you will practice your speaking skills using both conditionals. That is imagining what would happen if you were someone else.

Make a recording expressing hypothetical situations.

Choose another person you admire. Who is it? Why did you choose him? Now imagine you wish it so bad that your wish came true. Write in a maximum of 50 words this experience and what you could do if you were that person. You must include at least 5 conditionals of each type in your audio. Now, record yourself using the free app vocaroo.com


Once you have it, listen to it and then evaluate it using the rubrics.


References

Basic references

• Chamot , A., et. al. (2008).The learning strategies. New York: Longman

• English for Students (s/a) If I were a Scientist. Consulted January 20, 2017 from >http://bit.ly/2jTaFye

• Harmer, J. (2004). Just Grammar. Malaysia: Marshal Cavendish

• Learn with videos (2012) Learn If-Clauses (First Conditional) with "Hercules" [Video] Consulted January 20, 2017 from https://bit.ly/2jTbbfl



Additional references

• Consejo de Europa (2010). Marco Europeo Común de Referencia para Lenguas. Aprendizaje, enseñanza y evaluación. New York: Cambridge University Press

• Delors, J. (1994). Los cuatro pilares de la educación. UNESCO

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