Simplifying rules for CONDITIONAL sentences

The Zero, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Conditionals express CAUSE AND EFFECT situations. While there are different rules on how to use each one, there’s actually a simple pattern to knowing them all.
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How to teach CONDITIONALS:
There are two main tricks to understanding the form of conditional sentences. First, the verb of the condition clause is backshifted from its usage/meaning. Backshifting means taking the verb more into the past: future becomes present; present becomes past; past becomes past perfect (but always remains always). When viewed on a timeline, you can see each verb move backward (to the left).

The other key is that the verb of the result clause should have a modal included if and only if the usage is of the UNREAL MOOD. Unreal contexts include hypothetical, unlikely, or impossible scenarios, as opposed to real situations that we actually expect to happen. Modal verbs include words like ‘WOULD’, ‘could’, ‘should’, ‘may’, ‘might’, and ‘must’.

The extra third tip is that real sentences can use ‘when’ to connect the two clauses. Both real and unreal sentences can use ‘if’.

When you understand backshifting and real vs unreal, forming conditional sentences gets a whole lot easier.

{If you're interested in the specifics during that fast bit - 1:35 to 2:05 - turn on the subtitles.}

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0:00 When to Use Conditional
0:30 Condition Clauses & Result Clauses
0:55 Different Tenses
2:20 Backshifting
4:29 Modal Verbs & Unreal Mood
6:14 'If' & 'When'
6:31 Summary
6:57 Examples

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[good for native-speaking learners as well as ESL or EFL students]

Let us know in the comments how the method in this video has helped you and your students!

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