ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: conditional

CalifJim — Mon, 12 May 2008 07:24:20 GMT

would always belongs to the second conditional. Use will instead of would in the first two sentences if you want the first conditional. Those first two may seem good, sensible sentences to you, but they aren't correct.

might is OK in the last two sentences, but in the last sentence, again the word would comes up, and it should be will.

Re: conditional

Anonymous — Mon, 12 May 2008 01:59:29 GMT

Thank you, Mr. M. Then, what are these ones I wrote? They have if-clauses and what look to be resultant clauses, and also, they seem to be good, sensible sentences.

All first conditional??

If I hear from you before I leave, I would call you when I get home.

If I get a raise this month, I would buy a new car.

If I play soccer every two days, I might beat this illness.

If I work hard, I might/would get a raise before the end of this month.

I think those are sentences I can use any day. What are they then? Should I not use any of them and as you seem to have recommended, change the modal auxiliary verbs in the main clause to 'will'?

Re: conditional

Marius Hancu — Sun, 11 May 2008 10:57:17 GMT

http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verbs-conditional_2.htm

Re: conditional

Mister Micawber — Sun, 11 May 2008 09:49:46 GMT

.
No. These are first conditional:

If I hear from you before I leave, I will call you when I get home.

If I get a raise this month, I will buy a new car.

If I play soccer every two days, I may beat this illness. (might is often used here too)

If I work hard, I may/will get a raise before the end of this month. (might is often used here too)

conditional

Anonymous — Sun, 11 May 2008 09:41:16 GMT

Hi,

Are these all examples of the first conditional? If a if-clause is in the present tense, then any modal verbs can be used and it would still be a first conditional sentence? A zero conditional sentence is the one only states general rules and can't use modal verbs?

All first conditional??

If I hear from you before I leave, I would call you when I get home.

If I get a raise this month, I would buy a new car.

If I play soccer every two days, I might beat this illness.

If I work hard, I might/would get a raise before the end of this month.