puzzled

[Anonymous]

What's a first, second,third and zero conditional ?

 

[MikeNewYork]

What's a first, second,third and zero conditional ?

These designations are based on the verb tenses in the "if" clause and the result clause:

zero: same tense in both clauses (used for habit or established fact)
If/when water is cooled to 32 degrees, it freezes.
If/when I ate at Joe's, I had the linguini and clam sauce.

first: present tense in the "if" clause, future tense in the result clause
If I get that raise, I will buy a new car.

second: past tense in the "if" clause, present conditional in the result clause
If got that raise, I would buy a new car.

third: past perfect tense in the "if" clause, past conditional in the result clause
If I had gotten that raise, I would have bought a new car.

 

[Tdol]

http://usingenglish.com/articles/english-conditionals.html
;-)

 

[MikeNewYork]

http://usingenglish.com/articles/english-conditionals.html
;-)

Very Good! :wink: :wink: :wink:

 

[Tdol]

Not to mention:
https://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/1st-conditional.html
https://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/2nd-conditional.html
https://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/3rd-conditional.html
:lol:

 

[MikeNewYork]

Not to mention:
https://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/1st-conditional.html
https://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/2nd-conditional.html
https://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/3rd-conditional.html
:lol:

But you just mentioned them. :roll:

 

[RonBee]

Teachers, please post some examples of sentences using the first conditional. (I don't think I ever learned about conditionals before I visited this website.)

Please post at least three examples of the first conditional, and and please provide an explanation.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Teachers, please post some examples of sentences using the first conditional. (I don't think I ever learned about conditionals before I visited this website.)

Please post at least three examples of the first conditional, and and please provide an explanation.

1. If I post three examples of a first conditional, RonBee will be satisfied.
2. If I don't post three examples of a first conditional, RonBee will be sad.
3. If I finish this example, my task will be completed.

In the first conditional, the "if" clause (condition) is in the present tense and the result clause is in the future. Fulfillment of the conditional in the present will result in a future action. We can use the subjunctive with a first conditional, but it is rare these dats, outside of the poetry world. If the condition is speculative, known to be false, or unlikely to be true, we can use the verb "be" with all persons in the "if" clause.

If John Kerry be elected, we will be doomed.
If this be treason, we will make the most of it.
If I be wrong about this, I will not survive my ordeal.
If that be the case, I will hear about it on Monday.

 

[RonBee]

I think I am learning. It will take a while, but I think I am getting there. Thanks, Mike!

:smilecol:

 

[RonBee]

P.S. How about:

• A Kerry administration would be a disaster.

Is that a first conditional?

:wink:

 

[MikeNewYork]

I think I am learning. It will take a while, but I think I am getting there. Thanks, Mike!

:smilecol:

You're welcome. It's fun. We can proceed to 2nds, 3rs, and 0s whenever you want. :wink:

 

[MikeNewYork]

P.S. How about:

• A Kerry administration would be a disaster.

Is that a first conditional?

:wink:

Technically, it is not a conditional because there is no condition listed. One could say that there is a condition as an ellipsis or one could say that it uses "would" for presumption/expectation.

 

[RonBee]

How about:

• If Ron studies hard he will learn his conditionals.

First conditional?

 

[MikeNewYork]

How about:

• If Ron studies hard he will learn his conditionals.

First conditional?

Perfect. A+

 

[RonBee]

Re:

• After tobacco is lit it burns.

Zero conditional?

 

[RonBee]

Teachers, how about some more first conditional sentences? (I am not sure I will remember it yet.) About a hundred will do. :wink:

• If Ron asks a question he will get an answer.

First conditional?

 

[RonBee]

Re:

• If you touch a hot stove you will get burned.

Zero conditional?

 

[MikeNewYork]

Re:

• After tobacco is lit it burns.

Zero conditional?

Hmmm. Leave it to you to ask a question I can't answer. I am used to zero conditionals beginning with "if" or "when". My instinct is to say no to an "after" sentence, but I can't find a good reason. It is not much different from "when". :?

 

[RonBee]

Re:

• After tobacco is lit it burns.

Zero conditional?

Hmmm. Leave it to you to ask a question I can't answer. I am used to zero conditionals beginning with "if" or "when". My instinct is to say no to an "after" sentence, but I can't find a good reason. It is not much different from "when". :?

• When tobacco is lit, it burns.

It means the same thing, eh?

 

[MikeNewYork]

Teachers, how about some more first conditional sentences? (I am not sure I will remember it yet.) About a hundred will do. :wink:

• If Ron asks a question he will get an answer.

First conditional?

Bingo!