Lesson
Grammar: Conditionals for Task 2 arguments
Use zero, first and second conditionals to explain causes, predict results and suggest solutions in your essays. Includes the most common Band 6 mistake.
Three conditionals you need for Task 2
| Type | Form | Use it to… | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zero | If + present, present | state general truths | If people exercise regularly, they sleep better. |
| First | If + present, will + verb | predict a real, likely result | If the city builds more cycle lanes, more people will cycle to work. |
| Second | If + past, would + verb | imagine a policy or an unlikely situation | If governments banned cars from city centres, the air would be cleaner. |
The most common mistake
Never use will or would in the if clause.
Useful variations
- Unless = if not: Unless young people learn to manage money, they may get into debt.
- Were for all persons in formal writing: If I were the Minister of Education,…
- May, might, could instead of will or would make claims more cautious, which examiners like at Band 7.
Questions 1–5
Choose the correct form.
-
If governments ___ taxes on sugary drinks, people would buy fewer of them.
-
If you heat ice, it ___ .
-
If the council builds more cycle lanes, more people ___ to work by bike.
-
Unless young people ___ how to manage money, they may get into debt.
-
If I ___ the Minister of Education, I would make music lessons compulsory.
Questions 6–9
Is each sentence correct or incorrect?
-
If people will recycle more, there will be less waste.
-
If cities banned cars, the air would be cleaner.
-
Students learn faster if they get enough sleep.
-
If I would have more time, I would learn Japanese.
Questions 10–13
Write the verb in brackets in the correct form.
-
If more people (work) from home, the roads would be less crowded.
-
If the weather (be) good tomorrow, we will go hiking.
-
People would be healthier if they (eat) less processed food.
-
If you don't water plants, they (die).
Your turn: use conditionals in an argument
Essay question: Many cities suffer from heavy traffic. What measures could be taken to reduce it?
Write three sentences that suggest solutions: one first conditional, one second conditional and one with unless.
Check your answer
Model answer
If the government invests in a reliable metro system, many commuters will leave their cars at home.
If city centres charged drivers a daily fee, traffic would fall significantly during working hours.
Unless public transport becomes cheaper and more comfortable, people will continue to rely on private cars.
