COMMUNICATIVE GRAMMAR IV

Present Real Conditionals

César Ochoa Cueva, M.S.Ed.

Present Real Conditionals 1

Present Real Conditionals 1

Use present real conditionals for general truths. Usethe simple present in both clauses.

If Tom shops online, he uses a credit card.

if clause result clause

If they lose the game, they get 0 points.

if clause result clause

Present Real Conditionals 2

Present Real Conditionals 2

Use real conditionals for habits and things thathappen again and again.

If I’m cooking chicken, I use onions.

if clausesimple present or

present progressive

result clausesimple present

WhenWhen

You can often use when instead of if.

If I’m hungry, I have some pizza.

When I’m hungry, I have some pizza.

Use with ModalsUse with ModalsYou can use modals in the result clause.

If you don’t like the city, you can move to the country.

If you flight at night, you may sleep on the plane.

Use with ImperativesUse with ImperativesYou can use imperatives in the result clause.

If you travel to Paris, visit the Eiffel Tower.

If you go to New York, don’t miss the Statue of Liberty.

Clause OrderClause Order

A conditional sentence can begin with the if clause or the result clause.

If I shop online, I save time.

I save time if I shop online.

if clause

if clause

result clause

result clause

Use with NegativesUse with Negatives

You can make either or both clauses negative.

If I’m not working, I watch TV.

If you don’t understand fashion, you don’t belong to this field.

• Fuchs, M. & Bonner, M., Focus on Grammar 4 Pearson Education , White Plains, NY 10606,

2006• http://www.myenglishteacher.net

• Photo credit: Microsoft Office

BibliographyBibliography