Inspiring innovators: tone, first and second conditionals
Listening first. A grown-up reads the text below once or twice. Listen to the tone: is it positive, sad or serious? Now the grammar. The first conditional is for real or possible future situations: If + present simple, will + base verb. If we finish early, we will go to the park. The second conditional is for imaginary or unlikely situations in the present or future: If + past simple, would + base verb. If I had a kite, I would run to the beach. For the verb be in the if clause we use were for every person: If I were a fish, I would swim in the sea. Common mistakes: do not put will or would in the if clause (If it will rain …), and do not mix forms (If I wins …). For a real plan use the first conditional; for a dream or an imaginary idea use the second.
| If clause | Result clause | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| First conditional | If + present simple | will + verb | real or possible |
| Example | If it rains, | we will stay home. | |
| Second conditional | If + past simple | would + verb | imaginary |
| Example | If I were a bird, | I would fly to school. |
Wafaa grew up in a village where the school pump often stopped. She studied hard, and at university she designed a simple water filter made from sand and charcoal. Her first filter did not work, but she did not give up. She tested it again and again, and the new version worked well. Today her filters help many schools. She says to young people, “If you work hard, you will find a solution. If I were you, I would never be afraid to make mistakes.”
Two kinds of ifs. With a grown-up take turns: one person says a real plan (If it is sunny, we will …), the other says an imaginary idea (If I had a robot, I would …). After five turns write your two best sentences on paper.