Lesson 14. Conditional Statements
In this lesson you'll learn how to use conditional sentences in English. You'll also learn how to use verb phrases to be supposed to and used to.
In the vocabulary section, you'll learn the English words for objects that are found in nature.
At the end of this lesson is chapter 3 of the story "Ana and Alejandro's Adventures in Vancouver". In this chapter, Ana and Alejandro start their first day of English school.
Annonce
Grammaire
Conditional Sentences
A conditional sentence describes a situation and its possible result. In English, conditional sentences often use modal verbs (such as will, shall, can, and may) together with the conjunction if. Conditional sentences can be formed using the simple present, simple past, or past perfect, depending on the type of condition being expressed.
Zero Conditional
The zero conditional is used to talk about general truths, scientific facts, habits, or things that always happen when certain conditions are met. For example, If it rains, I wear a jacket. This can also be written as I wear a jacket if it rains. Notice that each of the two verbs is in the present tense.
The conjunction when can also be used in the zero conditional. For example, When it rains, the grass gets wet.
Examples
| If I open the door, the cat runs outside. |
First Conditional
The first conditional is used to describe a situation that is possible or likely to happen in the future if a certain condition is met. Examples of where to use the first conditional include: to show a future possibility, to give a warning or make a promise, or to state a specific plan if a condition is met. The modal verbs will and may are used in the first condtional. Use will to indicate certainty and may to indicate possibility. Here are some examples of sentences in the first conditional. Like the zero condtional, sentences in the first condtional use the present tense.
Examples
| If I open the door, the cat will run outside. | |
| The cat will run outside if I open the door. | |
| If I open the door, the cat may run outside. | |
| If I open the door, the cat can run outside. | |
| The cat will run outside if I open the door and say his name. | |
| The phone will break if I drop it or throw it. |
Second Conditional
The second conditional is used to refer to an imaginary or unreal event and its probable result. For the second conditional, would, which is the past tense of will, is usually used. For example, If I had a map, I would find the way. Could can also be used in the second conditional when referring to ability. For example, If I had a map, I could find the way.
Examples
| I would agree with you if you were right. | |
| The cat would go outside if I opened the door. | |
| I would read the book if I had more time. | |
| I would read the book if it was interesting and I had more time. | |
| I would read the book if it was interesting or I had more time. | |
| Snow would be great if it wasn't cold. |
Third Conditional
The third conditional is used to describe the imagined result of an alternative action in the past. It is often used to express regret. The conditional perfect is formed using would have with the past participle of the verb. For example, I would have passed the exam if I had studied harder.
Examples
| We would have gone if we had enough money. | |
| The cat would have gone outside if I had opened the door. | |
| I would have walked to the store if it wasn't raining. | |
| Would they have done the dishes if I had asked them? | |
| I would not have offered if I didn't mean it. | |
| The snow would not have melted if it was a bit colder. |
To Be Supposed To
The verb phrase to be supposed to expresses expectation, obligation, or what is believed to be true.
Examples
| Mary is supposed to study for her exam. | |
| We are supposed to paint the house today. | |
| You are not supposed to tell anyone. | |
| Am I supposed to do it? | |
| You were supposed to do it. | |
| The teacher was supposed to explain it to us. |
Used To
Used to has several different meanings. This section covers each of its uses.
1) To be used to means to be accustomed to, or to be familiar with. For example:
| I am used to the warm weather. | |
| I’m used to leaving work late. | |
| He is used to the noise of the traffic. |
2) When used to follows a noun or pronoun it means an action was repeated in the past, but does not currently happen. For example:
| I used to drive to work, but now I walk to work. | |
| I used to put two teaspoons of sugar in my coffee, but now I don’t put any sugar in. | |
| They used to visit almost every weekend, but now that they’ve moved away, we rarely ever see them. |
3) Used to can also be the past tense of the verb phrase use to. For example:
| What did you use to fix it? I used a hammer to fix it. | |
| What do they use the apples for? They use them to make apple pie. | |
| We used it to store our extra clothes. |
Natural Objects
moon
sun
stars
Earth
mountain
cliff
hill
lake
river
forest
desert
rock
ocean
waterfall
lightning
cloud
Flashcards
Utilisez les flashcards en ligne pour vous aider à apprendre le vocabulaire dans cette leçon.
Lire l’anglais
Chapter 3: First Day of School
On Monday morning, Ana and Alejandro wake up early. It is their first day at English school in Vancouver. They are excited but also a little nervous.
“Do you have your notebook?” Ana asks.
“Yes,” Alejandro says. “Do you have your student card?”
Ana checks her bag. “Yes, I have it.”
They take the bus to the school. When they arrive, many students are standing outside. They hear people speaking Spanish, Korean, Japanese, Portuguese, and many other languages.
“It’s so international,” Ana says.
Inside the school, a friendly woman at the front desk smiles at them. “Good morning. Are you new students?”
“Yes, we are,” Ana says.
“Great. Please go to Room 204 for your placement test.”
They walk down the hallway and enter the room. A teacher gives them a short test to check their English level. After the test, the teacher says, “You will both be in the A2 class. Your classroom is Room 110.”
They go to Room 110 and meet their classmates. There are students from Brazil, Mexico, Korea, Turkey, and Italy. Everyone looks friendly.
The teacher, Ms. Carter, walks in. “Good morning, everyone. Welcome to class.”
She writes her name on the board and begins the lesson. They practice introductions, simple conversations, and vocabulary about daily life.
During the break, Alejandro talks to a student from Japan.
“Hi, I’m Alejandro,” he says.
“I’m Yuki,” the student replies. “Nice to meet you.”
They talk about Vancouver, the weather, and their favorite foods.
After class, Ana says, “I really like this school. The teacher is nice.”
“Yeah,” Alejandro says. “And I made a new friend.”
They walk outside into the warm afternoon sun, feeling happy about their first day.
Quiz
Voici un bref examen en ligne qui vous aidera à apprendre le vocabulaire anglais inclus dans cette leçon.
Quiz
Part 1 - Vocabulary
Write the English word for the object shown in the picture.
Exemple:
Part 2 - Conditional Sentences
Fill in the blank with the conditional form of the verb in brackets.
Exemple
Question: I _____ to the park if it was sunny. (walk)
Answer: I would walk to the park if it was sunny.
Part 3 - Conditional Form with Questions
Convert the following sentences to questions.
Exemple
Question: He would walk to the park if it was sunny.
Answer: Would he walk to the park if it was sunny?
11) The children would play outside if it wasn't raining.
12) This chair would be nice if it wasn't broken.
13) You would think that that was a nice thing to do.
14) Our math teacher would help us.
15) They would let us know if they needed help.
Part 4 - Conditional Form with Negative Statements
Convert the following questions to negative statements. Do not use contractions.
Exemple
Question: He would walk to the park if it was sunny.
Answer: He would not walk to the park if it was sunny.
16) The children would play outside if it was raining.
17) This chair would be nice if it was bigger.
18) He would think that that was a nice thing to do.
19) Our math teacher would help us.
20) They would let us know if they needed help.
