Getting Started

Conditionals are a commonly used structure which throw up a number of problems for learners. There are a number of things which you need to consider when forming a conditional and this often results in mistakes being made, particularly when speaking. 

A conditional contains two clauses – a condition clause and a consequence clause. What structure you use depends on time and function, and the consequence clause can refer to the present or future, or something that might have happened in the past, but didn’t.

Examples of common learner errors include the following:

• The incorrect addition of the adverb ‘then’ in the consequence clause: For example: Had I been told, then I could’ve done something to help. (Dutch speakers)
• The use of the auxiliary ‘will/would’  in both clauses. For example: If I would win the lottery, I would buy a nice house and car. (German speakers)
• The incorrect use of the same verb tense in both clauses: For example: If we had left earlier, we hadn’t missed the start of the film. (Portuguese speakers)
• The incorrect use of will in the condition clause when talking about the future. For example: If I will go to London this weekend, I will meet up with Sandra. (Hindi and Polish speakers)