English Grammar and Composition chapter 11: Conditionals

11/1: First Conditional

Read some examples of first conditional sentences:

:Are you coming to my place? :I’ll go to your place if I finish reading the story book.

Possible action/situation in the future

:I guess I’m going to miss the train. :If you start now, you won’t miss the train.

Possibility immediately after the present moment

:What will you do, if your first attempts fail? :If I don’t succeed at my first attempt, I’ll try again.

first conditional in questions

:I think you are going to be late. You haven’t sent the document yet. :Hmmm….I think if I send it today, Shaymoli might get it tomorrow.

use of might: to tell about a possibility

:Thank you very much for everything. :No problem. Here is my card. :If you need any extra help, just give me a call.

imperative in first conditional: to give advice

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How to make first conditionals?

First conditionals follow this pattern

If +subject + present tense followed by subject + future tense (will/may/might + verb) + extension (if needed)

Some conditions

There will be two parts in a first conditional sentence.

Fisrt conditional can be used in affirmative, negative, and question sentences.

If the if clause comes first, there should be a comma (,) where the if clause ends.

Use of 1^st conditional

1. We use 1^st conditional to speak about a future possibility depending on the present situation, the if-part is the present condition, and the part with will/may/might is the future possibility.

2. We can use the first conditionals when we talk about possibilities immediately after the present.

3. We can use may/might instead of will to say about the result of an action in the first conditional.

4. We can use imperative in first conditional to give an instruction or advice.

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Activity 1 Read the e-mail written by one friend to another friend. The mail has some use of first conditionals but for each conditional sentence only a part is given. Complete the conditional sentences by selecting and adding the right part from the alternatives given below the mail.

Dear Mithila

Great to hear from you. It is also great to know that you are coming to North Bengal. How many days are you planning to stay here? Are you going on a vacation or coming with any special assignment.

Please let me know the date of your coming and tentative stay period. I’ll see you if I(a)……………………………………………………….I’ll also (b)…………………………………………………., if I can manage my parents. Who else are coming with you?

I often think of our lost days. They were really so sweet! (c)………………………………….., if you can. I will copy them from you. And don’t forget your camera please for new photographs.

However, we have a possibility to go on a study tour in March. Hope that will not coincide with your stay here. Yet, if it happens, (d)……………………………………….?

Stay fine. And keep in touch.

Raifa

will you mind

Please bring your old album

try to receive you from Jaipurhat airport

have no exams that time

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Activity 2

Mr and Mrs Bishwash are going to a wedding party. Complete their conversation, using the words below in first conditional.

Mrs Bishwash: If we don’t hurry, (1) …………………………………………… to the party on time.

Mr Bishwash: Hmmm, (2) ………………………………………., if (3) ……………………………a bit late.

Mrs Bishwash: I’m being panicked. What (4) ………………………..if (5) ………………there?

Mr Bishwash: I’m sure they (6) ……………. for ten fifteen minutes if (7) …………………… there.

Mrs Bishwash: But it’s embarrassing! We are the host. It (8) ……………………………… if some of them leave. The guests too (9) ……………………… with us if (10) ……………………………. us there.

Mr Bishwash: Look, I’m already done!

(11) …………………………………. quickly if you keep calm.

Mrs Bishwash: Do you think Ms Perraira will come?

Mr Bishwash: She will come if (12) ………………………………………………. time.

Mrs Bishwash: And what about her daughter?

Mr Bishwash: She doesn’t like party. But (13) ……………………… if you insist.

Mrs Bishwash: Are you ready now?

Mr Bishwash: Yes. And hope if (14) ………………………………… bad traffic, we will reach the party house in time.

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1. we/ not get
2. it/not be
3. what/ happen
4. we/not be
5. the others/do
6. we/ not be
7. they/ wait
8. they/not see us
9. be/shame
10. guests/annoyed
11. guests/not see
12. everything/do
13. her husband/make
14. she/come 15.there/ be not

Activity 3

Read the following text which tells about some guidance for tourists in a new city. The tourist guide is written in first conditional sentences. Half of the each guidance is written in the first column and the rest half is given in the right column. Match the texts in both the columns to make conditional sentences.

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11/2: Second Conditional

A . Read some examples of second conditional.

Grammar Point

USE

We use second conditional to talk about future depending about the past situation.

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Activity 1 You know the world is too much polluted now. Here are some suggestions on how to make the world better. Complete the sentences using the verbs and the second conditional. You may need to use the options given to use more than once. The first one is done for you.

1. If you didn't start wars, the world would be a better place.
2. If everyone ……………………………their cars less, there……………………………so much pollution.
3. If people ………………………… more recycling, they ………………………… the environment a lot.
4. People ………………………… so unhealthy if they ………………………… junk food.
5. People ………………………… from stress if life ………………………… so fast.
6. Celebrities ………………………… popular if people ………………………… reading about them.

Activity 2 Complete this interview using the words in brackets and the second conditionals. Use short forms where necessary.

Interviewer : If you could have another job, what ………………………… (it/be)

Interviewee : Well I could be an NGO person. I would really be happy if I could work with rural people for their development. Alternatively, if I could do some research on Bangla literature, I might do better.

Interviewer : What NGO would you join if you had the chance? National or international?

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Interviewee : I wanted to start with national level NGO. However, if I continued, I would finally switch to international. I might have more opportunities to work for my country.

Interviewer : And what kind of research would you prefer if you had the chance to do that?

Interviewee : I think I would research on Jibanananda Das, if I really had any opportunity.

Interviewer : Is he your favourite poet?

Interviewee : Yes, very much. I would do comparative study between Jibanananda Das and Wordsworth.

Interviewer : But you are quite successful in your current profession.

Interviewee : Oh yes, I'm doing good. Yet, if I could develop as I dreamed, I could do better, I guess.

Interviewer : Who knows… maybe you are right. But do you regret your present occupation now?

Interviewee : Not exactly. Time has moulded me for my present job.