Unit 8 - Life-Changing Decisions
Revision of Conditional Types
Compare all conditional structures to choose the one that communicates your meaning precisely.
1. Zero to Second Conditional – Quick Refresh
- Zero: If you heat water, it boils.
- First: If it rains, we will stay at home.
- Second: If I had money, I would buy a car.
These B1 examples anchor the basic patterns. At B2 we add nuance and Type 3.
2. Summary Table
| Type | Form | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zero | If + Present Simple, Present Simple | Facts, routines, rules | If you don’t sleep, you feel tired. |
| First | If + Present Simple, will/may/can + V1 | Real future possibilities | If you study, you will pass the exam. |
| Second | If + Past Simple, would/could + V1 | Unreal present/future | If she studied harder, she would pass. |
| Third | If + Past Perfect, would/could/might + have + V3 | Unreal past (regret) | If they had left earlier, they would have caught the train. |
3. Mixed Conditionals
-
Present result of a past condition
- If he had listened to the advice, he would be more confident now.
-
Past result of a present condition
- If I were more organised, I wouldn’t have missed the deadline.
Use mixed forms to connect different time frames.
4. Advanced Connectors
-
As long as / provided that / on condition that
Provided that you send the data today, we will finalise the report. -
Even if / whether or not
Even if it snowed in summer, people would be surprised. -
In case / in the event that
Take an umbrella in case it rains later.
5. Common Challenges
| Issue | Tip | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb form mix-ups | Keep the if-clause tense consistent with the type. | ✅ If you had arrived, you would have seen it. |
| Overusing will | Only the result clause takes will in Type 1. | ✅ If she calls, I will answer. |
| Forgetting contractions | Make speech natural with I'd, we'd, they'd. | I'd help if I had time. |
6. Practice Tasks
- Convert real events into each conditional type.
- Write two mixed conditionals about your life now.
- Re-work simple sentences using advanced connectors like provided that or even if.
Quick Review
- Know all four conditional forms and when to use them.
- Mix time frames to express regrets or hypothetical present results.
- Upgrade your connectors to sound natural and precise at B2.