Speaking: Grammar in Speaking B1 - Lesson 4: Using 1st & 2nd Conditionals

Speaking: Grammar in Speaking B1

Using 1st & 2nd Conditionals

Listen to the examples here.

What you will learn: 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 sentence has two parts: the 'if' clause (the condition) and the 'result' clause. Let's compare the two types. Click 🔊 to hear the examples.

✅ First Conditional

For a real possibility in the future.

If it rains this weekend, we will watch a movie at home.

💭 Second Conditional

For a hypothetical or imaginary situation.

If I had a million dollars, I would travel the world.

Pronunciation & Structure

🗣️ Pronunciation: Using Contractions

To sound fluent when using conditionals, we almost always use contractions in spoken English. Click 🔊 to hear them.

• 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."

💡 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.

• 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 isn't real now.

• If I could speak any language, I'd learn Spanish.
• If I were you, I'd apologize to her. (Used for giving advice).

Note: We often use 'were' instead of 'was' with I/he/she/it in the 'if' clause of the second conditional, especially for advice ("If I were you...").

Practice Your Conditionals 🎯

Activity 1: First or Second? (Self-Check)

Read the situation. Which conditional (First or Second) should you use? Click your choice to check.

Activity 2: Complete the Sentence

Work with a partner or practice alone. Read the first part ("if" clause), then complete the sentence with your own idea using the correct conditional form. Click 🔊 to hear the first part.

• "If I have free time tomorrow,..."
  Your idea (use 'will'): ...
• "If I were the leader of Cambodia,..."
  Your idea (use 'would'): ...
• "If it doesn't rain later,..."
  Your idea (use 'will'): ...
• "If I could travel anywhere,..."
  Your idea (use 'would'): ...

Key Grammar Terms

• Conditional Sentence | ល្បះលក្ខខណ្ឌ
  A sentence with an "if" part (condition) and a "result" part.
• First Conditional | លក្ខខណ្ឌទីមួយ
  Talks about real future possibilities. Structure: If + Present Simple, ... will + base verb.
• Second Conditional | លក្ខខណ្ឌទីពីរ
  Talks about unreal/imaginary situations now or in the future. Structure: If + Past Simple, ... would + base verb.
• Hypothetical | ជាការសន្មត
  Imaginary; not real or not likely to happen. Used in the Second Conditional.
• Contraction | ការបង្រួមពាក្យ
  A shorter form of a word or words (e.g., "I will" becomes "I'll", "would not" becomes "wouldn't").

Your Grammar Mission ⭐

This week, your mission is to think about the future in two different ways.

1. 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.")
2. Write one Second Conditional sentence about an imaginary dream or situation. (e.g., "If I had a lot of money, I would buy my parents a new house.")

Practice saying both sentences aloud, using contractions ('ll and 'd).