Speaking: Grammar in Speaking B1 - Lesson 4
Using 1st & 2nd Conditionals
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to distinguish between the First and Second Conditionals and use them to talk about real possibilities and imaginary situations.
Real vs. Unreal Situations
A conditional sentence1 has two parts: the 'if' clause (the condition) and the 'result' clause. In this lesson, we will compare the First Conditional (for real possibilities) and the Second Conditional (for unreal or imaginary situations).
| Conditional Type | Its Function (Job) | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| First Conditional2 | To talk about a real possibility in the future. | If it rains this weekend, we will watch a movie at home. |
| Second Conditional3 | To talk about a hypothetical4 or imaginary situation now or in the future. | If I had a million dollars, I would travel the world. |
Key Grammar Terms
- Conditional Sentence: A sentence with an "if" part and a "result" part: ល្បះលក្ខខណ្ឌ ↩
- First Conditional: For real future possibilities. Structure: If + present simple, ... will + verb: លក្ខខណ្ឌទីមួយ ↩
- Second Conditional: For unreal/imaginary situations. Structure: If + past simple, ... would + verb: លក្ខខណ្ឌទីពីរ ↩
- Hypothetical: Imaginary; not real or not likely to happen: ជាការសន្មត ↩
Pronunciation Focus: Contractions with "will" and "would"
To sound fluent when using conditionals, we almost always use contractions.
- will -> 'll: "If I finish my work, I'll call you."
- would -> 'd: "If I had more time, I'd learn the guitar."
- would not -> wouldn't: "If I were you, I wouldn't do that."
Listen carefully to the audio guide to hear how these contractions make the sentences flow more smoothly.
Grammar Structures & Functions
First Conditional: Real Possibility
Structure: If + Present Simple, ... will + base verb.
Use this for things that could really happen. It's great for making plans that depend on something else.
- If I get paid tomorrow, I'll buy that new shirt.
- If the weather is nice on Sunday, we'll go for a picnic.
Second Conditional: Unreal/Imaginary Situation
Structure: If + Past Simple, ... would + base verb.
Use this for dreaming, imagining, or giving advice about something that is not real now.
- If I could speak any language, I'd learn Spanish. (But I can't speak any language.)
- If I were you, I'd apologize to her. (Used for giving advice. We use 'were' for all subjects here.)
Practice Your Conditionals
Activity 1: First or Second?
Read the situation. Which conditional should you use to talk about it?
- Talking about your dream to be a famous movie star. -> (Second Conditional - it's an unreal dream right now)
- Talking about what you will do if your friend visits you this weekend. -> (First Conditional - it's a real future possibility)
- Giving a friend advice about their problem. -> (Second Conditional - "If I were you...")
Activity 2: Complete the Sentence
Work with a partner. One person reads the "if" clause, the other finishes the sentence with their own idea.
- Student A: "If I have free time tomorrow,..."
Student B: "...I'll watch a movie." - Student A: "If I were the leader of Cambodia,..."
Student B: "...I'd build more parks and libraries."
Your Grammar Mission
This week in Battambang, your mission is to think about the future in two different ways.
- Write one **First Conditional** sentence about a real plan you have for this weekend. (e.g., "If my friend is free, we will go to a café.")
- Write one **Second Conditional** sentence about an imaginary dream. (e.g., "If I had a lot of money, I would buy my parents a new house.")
Practice saying both sentences aloud.