1. Conditionals
intermediate

2. TIME REFERENCE: future (likely); past; general; future (unlikely)
Examples
Time reference
Name
If sales go up, I usually get a bonus.
2. If sales go up next month, I’ll get a bonus.
3. If sales went up next month, I’d get a bonus.

3. TIME REFERENCE: future (likely); past; general; future (unlikely)
Examples
Time reference
Name
If sales go up, I usually get a bonus.
general
Zero conditional
2. If sales go up next month, I’ll get a bonus.
future: likely
1st conditional
3. If sales went up next month, I’d get a bonus.
future: unlikely
2nd conditional

4. Zero conditional If sales go up, I usually get a bonus.
If you fly first class, you get amazing service.
Everyone is happy if business goes well.
IF + present simple, present simple
USE:
To talk about things which are always or generally true. We are not referring to any specific event.
IF – whenever, every time

5. First conditional If sales go up next month, I’ll get a bonus.
If anyone calls, say I’m in a meeting.
If you don’t deliver on time, we won’t order from you again.
If you’re planning to become self-employed, take this course.
IF + present simple/continuous, future/imperative
USE:
To talk about future events that will or are likely to happen (predictions, promises, threats…)

6. Second conditional If sales went up next month, I’d get a bonus.
If you gave us a 5% discount, we would place a much bigger order.
IF + past simple, WOULD + infinitive
USE:
To talk about future events that are unlikely, imaginary or improbable, hypothetical present or future
If I were you… (were instead of was) – more formal, fixed expressions

7. Zero and first conditional
Whenever I use/will use this computer, there is/will be a problem.
If you will see/see Nicole, send her/you will send her my regards.
It’s time to leave. We are/will be late if we aren’t/will not be careful.
If Klaus will speak/speaks at the meeting, he will usually mention/usually mentions the importance of our brand image.
Will you deliver/Do you deliver by the end of the month if we pay/’ll pay the transport costs?
We don’t process/wouldn’t process orders if we receive/will receive them after 3pm.

8. My colleague travels so much. He misses a lot of important meetings.
COMPLETE THE SECOND SENTENCE SO THAT IT MEANS THE SAME AS THE FIRST SENTENCE(S).
My colleague travels so much. He misses a lot of important meetings.
If my colleague ……………………………….so many important meetings.
I take taxis all the time. I don’t have a company car.
If I ……………………………………………. taxis all the time.
You don’t spend time building client relationships, so you have poor sales results.
If you …………………………………….. better sales results.
We don’t fly business class. It costs so much.
We …………………………………… so much.
They haven’t sent us the final order. We aren’t able to close their account.
If they …………………………………….. their account.
I work in an open-plan office. People interrupt me frequently.
If I ……………………………………………..so often.

9. Choose the correct alternative
Would/Does it help you if we sent/will send the goods by air?
If we will join/joined an association of producers, we would get/will get a better price for our coffee.
If I had/would have my own business, I’ll take/’d take longer holidays.
I’m taking/would take legal advice if I am/were you.
If public transport improved/would improve, I won’t need/wouldn’t need to drive to work every day.
Would you get there/Will you get there quicker if you would go/went by train?