differnce between first and second conditional

[florenta]

Hi,I'd lkie to recive more informations about the difference between first and second conditional.I'll be happy to learn more about it.Many thanks,
Florenta

[ana2005]

I suppose you mean the typical structures "If+Simple Present - Future" and "If+Simple Past - Would". If so, the difference is, as far as I know, in how likely is the action to happen. You say:
- "If you come with us, you'll have a good time" when you think the person is likely to come.
- "If you go on like this, you'll get hurt" when you think the second is about to happen or likely to happen.

But if you think there are fewer possibilities, fewer chance for the second action (the main clause) to happen, then you use the second conditional:
- "If you came with us, you'd have a good time" (you don't think it very probable for the person to finally come, although it is possible)
- "If the children went to bed now, I'd be able to work a little" (which is, in my case, very unlikely to happen.

I hope it's useful
Bye

[Tdol]

http://www.usingenglish.com/articles...ditionals.html