Form & Function
What is the grammatical difference between the 2nd and 3rd conditionals? Give an example of each.
2nd conditional: unreal present/future → If I had time, I would travel.
3rd conditional: unreal past → If I had had time, I would have traveled.
Which conditional would best describe a scientific fact, and why?
Zero conditional, because scientific facts require: If + present simple, present simple.
Find the mistake:
If he would study more, he’ll pass the test.
If he studies more, he’ll pass the test.
(1st conditional uses present in the if-clause.)
Transform into a second conditional:
She doesn’t drive, so she takes the bus.
If she drove, she wouldn’t take the bus. (2nd conditional)
In a mixed conditional ( third+second) , which part of the sentence expresses past time and which part expresses present time?
In a mixed conditional:
If-clause: past perfect (e.g., If I had studied...)
Main clause: present conditional (e.g., ...I would know the answer now.)
You hear someone say:
“If I had a better memory, I would have remembered your name.”
What conditional is this and what does it express?
Mixed conditional.
If I had a better memory = present unreal condition
I would have remembered = past result
Find and correct the error:
If I wouldn’t have been late, I wouldn’t missed the flight.
If I hadn’t been late, I wouldn’t have missed the flight.
Change to a third conditional:
I don’t know his number, so I can’t call him.
If I had known his number, I would have called him. (3rd conditional)
Explain why this is a second conditional:
If he worked less, he’d have more energy.
Because it refers to a hypothetical present situation using past tense verb + would:
If he worked less, he’d have more energy.
Choose the most appropriate conditional for this situation:
You’re giving your friend advice about a missed opportunity yesterday that affects them today.
Mixed conditional.
If you had applied, you’d have the job now.
Identify the error and explain the confusion:
If I had taken the job, I will live in New York now.
If I had taken the job, I would live in New York now. (Mixed conditional)
Change this to a third conditional + modal:
He didn’t ask for help. That was a mistake.
If he had asked for help, he might have succeeded.
(other options: could have, should have)
Create a mixed conditional sentence about regret.
If I had listened to you, I wouldn’t be in this situation now.
A student says:
“If I win the lottery, I would buy a castle.”
Is this correct? Why or why not? How would you fix it?
It’s incorrect: mixed second and first conditionals.
If I win the lottery, I will buy a castle. (1st)
If I won the lottery, I would buy a castle. (2nd)
Correct this and explain the conditional type:
If she would be more confident, she had asked the question.
If she had been more confident, she would have asked the question. (3rd conditional)
Rewrite using a mixed conditional (present result of past action):
He didn’t apply for the job. Now he’s unemployed.
If he had applied for the job, he would be employed now. (Mixed conditional)