Real Conditionals about the Present and Past: IF-clauses

For advanced grammar, WATCH • Advanced English Gramm...
Link to this playlist on conditional sentences. • Conditionals (IF-claus...
Index:
0:01 Introduction
0:27 Answers to Lesson 2 task
3:54 Going beyond the simple present in present real conditionals
4:39 IF vs. WHEN
5:29 Real conditionals about the past
6:05 Answers to Lesson 2 bonus question
9:14 Verb forms used in real conditionals about the past
9:48 Answers to additional questions on Facebook.
12:41 New task
13:10 Bonus question
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Former classroom teacher. Published author. Online instructor. I've been online since 2007, posting videos for students, blogging for teachers, and providing different forms of language support. My goal is to make language studies enjoyable and productive. For more info and resources, visit www.englishwithjennifer.com.
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[@mollietai8946]

What a way to learn English Conditionals with JenniferESL. So freaking rad!!!

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Thanks for the enthusiastic support, Mollie.

[@aecioflavioperim2392]

I can't miss your precious lessons. I love them a lot. The best for you.

[@adrianfg3148]

Thank you, teacher Jennifer, I have learned a lot of English from you by studying and practicing with your video lessons. You are a great teacher for me. God bless you.

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Thank you, Adrian. I'm happy you've chosen to study with me. :)

[@김성환-o9m]

Very good to study English. Because of calm description.

[@Englishwithjennifer]

I'm happy you enjoy my explanations. :)

[@ahmedsaadeddine4318]

Welcome to the world you are offering. All appreciation and respect

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Thank you for the lovely comment. :)

[@maryamjaved4849]

Thank you so much Mam ! I can't even tell you how much you help me .you mentioned those things in your lessons for which I am looking or searching .for example as you have include the concept of "present tense " means any present form not only present simple . So many students got confused when they saw these kinds of examples when present perfect is used in real conditional . And you are the only one who made it clear ! Everything is crystal clear ,but I want clear it . Can we only use variation of tense in "If clause" ? Can we only use present perfect or progressive in "If Clause " If I am having a bad day , If you have been three, or is it flexible to use in both clauses. For example. If you have never visited this city , I highly recommend you. If you don't have visit this city , I have highly recommended you. If I have had a strings of bad luck , I tell myself it is going to end soon. Or If I have a strings of back luck , I have told my self it is going to end soon .

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Correct: If I am having a bad day, I try to breathe in and out and not stress out. If you have been there before, then you know how bad traffic is. If you have never visited this city , I highly recommend coming. If you don't travel much, that's okay. If I have had a string of bad luck, I tell myself it is going to end soon.

[@qbbb29]

You are the best English teacher Please continue🌹

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Thank you for the support. :)

[@ilikemtrain]

Thank you Jennifer. The playlist really helps me a lot. However, I would like to ask @9:34 why "would" can be used here for real conditionals about the past? Would you mind giving me an example as I think "would" should be for unreal conditionals.

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Hi. The example in the video: I used to stay up late if a good movie came on. (a real, habitual behavior in the past) Also possible: I would often stay up late if a good movie came on.

[@ilikemtrain]

@@Englishwithjennifer Thank you very much for the clear explanation. Happy studies!

[@lucasdasaieve]

Great video, as always. I'm taking some time to watch the previous videos in order to review basic and intermediate level lessons, just to warm up my English. Well, as for the bonus question: If I don't charge my cell phone, I wouldn't be able to take the bus, eat, or buy anything, because in the country I live, we use our cell phones as e-wallets, and they've become so popular that in many shops they accept only e-money instead of cash.

[@Englishwithjennifer]

It's helpful to review. :) I'll correct answers in the next lesson. Hint: Your example should be either entirely real or entirely unreal (hypothetical). Right now yours is a mix. Interesting to see how much payments have changed around the world, by the way. Smartphones are really taking over!

[@lucasdasaieve]

Yes, you're right. I didn't answer the question accordingly. "If I don't charge my cell phone, I won't be able to take the bus, eat, or buy anything, because in the country where I live, we use our cell phones as e-wallets, and they've become so popular that most shops accept only e-money instead of cash." I'd also like to add that, since most smartphones have fingerprint sensor, and that in each mobile payment your pin or fingerprint is required, it's even safer and more practical to pay with your phone than with regular cash, as long as you remember to charge your phone, lol.

[@Englishwithjennifer]

I agree. I try to use Apple Pay now, but sometimes it doesn't work at certain registers. I stand there frustrated, and then I have to get my card out and pay the "old" way. LOL Thanks for reposting and self-correcting! Take care.

[@lucasdasaieve]

And a funny thing is that, in some countries, using debit or credit cards is becoming the old way, while in some of the countries I've already been, credit cards are still the new and modern way, which vendors are still reluctant to accept. Some because of the fear of technology, others due the fees banks charge for this kind of service. Best regards.

[@anadeboraholanda5515]

Your class is incredible!

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Thank you. Please view the whole playlist on conditionals. All my playlists are here: www.englishwithjennifer.com/students/yt-videos/

[@maysah5661]

You are great thanks so much God bless you

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Thank you for studying with me, Maysa. Take care.

[@mahmoudnaser7556]

Thanks for your efforts Jennifer. Bonus Question: If I don't charge my cell phone, I might miss very important calls.

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Good example! We always worry about what we're missing when our cell phone dies on us.

[@mahmoudnaser7556]

JenniferESL exactly dear Jennifer😍😍😍

[@anygv.9572]

Thanks a lot teacher.

[@Englishwithjennifer]

You're welcome.

[@raed2178]

Useful as always. Thank you, Jennifer. 😀

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Thanks for being here, Ra'ed. See you on Facebook. :)

[@raed2178]

JenniferESL Task: 1. Correct me if I'm being wrong, but didn't you major in Russian? (Wrong) It should be like this ➡ Correct me if I'm wrong, but.... 2. If I'm not mistook, she's originally from Australia. (Wrong) It should be like this ➡ If I'm not mistaken, she's.... 3. If you were so smart, you do it! I think you'll have just as much trouble as I did. (Wrong) It should be like this ➡ If you are so smart, you do it! I think.... (because if you stick to the current version "If you were...", you should use "would" in the second sentence). Bonus task: Will anything bad happen if you don't charge your cell phone? If you don't charge your cell phone, you would probably miss out on one of the benefits of holding a cell phone. Imagine you've been stalking by a gang at night and there is no one to help you, but then you can use your cell phone to call the police or even someone else who would rush to help you.

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Ha! Yes, I sometimes feel so unsafe if I drive or walk without my phone. I think about all the what ifs! We'll go over the answers in our next video, okay? BTW - I'm still working on the video with the additional correction for Lesson 3. It will be ready soon. Take care.

[@Leo007619]

Wow! Great lesson! I learned a lot from it! How do we call such sentences in the past? Zero conditional? So it means that there are zero conditional about the present and zero conditional about the past? And both are real? Am I right?

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Thank you for watching! 😃 I don't usually like to use the number system to refer to conditionals. I like to talk about real and unreal conditionals and then focus on the time frame(s). Zero conditionals are real conditionals in the present: If you heat water, it boils.

[@Leo007619]

@@Englishwithjennifer ok. So then it is called "Real conditional about the past" as you called it. Thank you! ☺

[@shahaddhomad5530]

Your explanation is awesome

[@Englishwithjennifer]

I'm happy everything is clear.

[@patriotpatriot160]

Dear Jennifer. Thank you very much for your lessons. Can you make lessons about tenses. How many tenses are in English? If more then 1 video can you put number wise? Thx a lot

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Have you watched this playlist? kzbin.info/aero/PLF467A1F872AFF222

[@nadyaomar9155]

Really amazing 😍😍😍😍

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Thank you for the support.

[@fafifafi7405]

You good teacher 👩‍🏫

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Thank you!

[@stunninglad1]

I really like the corrections feature. It reminds me of the live streams of yesteryear. Memories ah? Huh! Boo-Hoo! I'd like to see more lessons like this as they are extremely helpful. They let us see our grammatical errors.

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Yes, this was a fun series to produce. I'm still considering the live stream idea.

[@stunninglad1]

@@Englishwithjennifer Brilliant :>)

[@areruben10]

The cat's whiskers! Warm regards!

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Thanks for watching my new lesson, Ruben. Take care!

[@clairefraser2924]

Hello Jennifer, thanks for your feedback, I really appreciate it! 1- Correct me if I 'm wrong, but, ..... 2- If I'm not mistaken, ..... 3- I think the third example is right. Maybe it refers to the unreal past Bonus: If I didn't charge my cell phone, I couldn't be in touch with my foreign friends for a while.

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Hi Claire. Thanks for posting your answers. I may not be able to include your example as I already filmed for the next lesson. Your verb choices make sense for a hypothetical statement. If you want to imagine a possibility, then you're right to shift back to the simple past. In the next lesson, I'll still be focusing on real conditionals -- likely situations in the future. Unreal conditionals are coming up soon! Looks like you're ready for them. :)

[@clairefraser2924]

Hi Jennifer. Thanks again for your corrections. Learning with you is my pleasure so I'm all ears! I ve recently found your channel and I can't stop watching it. Really really helpful😃

[@renjiechia7901]

I would like to ask a question regarding to video in 1:56, can I write 'problem' instead of 'problems' because I assume I would face a problem. Besides that, in 3:22, why couldn't he write 'aspect'? I always get confused to the situation like this =)

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Hi. It depends. If you think there is only one problem, then use the singular. Ra'ed was commenting in general with the idea that each day has its own set of problems. He was referring to the problems of this day. I think it sounds more logical to match "aspects" with "things." (two plural nouns) I'd say one of these two: 1. He sees the worst aspect in everything. (I prefer this one.) 2. He see the worst aspects in things.

[@longnguyen9638]

Hey Jennifer! how have you been? Good lesson,thanks a lot Jennifer

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Thank you for watching my lesson. Take care!

[@evankhan8257]

You're a super teacher 🤗

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Thank you for the kind words! 😃 Happy New Year!

[@evankhan8257]

Happy 😁 new year 🎉 too you. my favorite teacher I have ever seen.

[@Leo007619]

If I had tidied my room, I was allowed to go out with my friends. 8:50 It is unnecessary to use Past Perfect, I know, but is this a mistake or I can say it?

[@Englishwithjennifer]

If you said that, you'd likely be understood. Native American English speakers break the so-called rules quite often when you use unreal conditionals. However, I recommend following standard grammar because that will increase the odds of being understood accurately: If I tidied my room, I was allowed to go out with my friends. = real past, habitual past action

[@Leo007619]

@@Englishwithjennifer thank you! I got it

[@mjidfettah1306]

Hey jennifer thank you

[@Englishwithjennifer]

You're very welcome.

[@KamranBhutto]

Good job

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Thank you. Kind regards!

[@MarynaPoberezhna]

Jennifer,is zero conditional and real conditional are the same,if they are,then what is the difference between them?

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Some like to use 0, First, Second, and Third Conditional. I like to talk about real and unreal conditionals.

[@MarynaPoberezhna]

JenniferESL some of the books divide conditionals into 0.1.2.3 and real,unreal（mixed),but I cannot see the difference between real,unreal and 1.2.3.0,frankly speaking😄

[@aakashchandrathakur1116]

Mam!! That is his pen and That pen is his. Both are correct or not if yes then tell me uses of his in these two sentence..

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Correct!

[@thanusha805]

Thank you so much

[@Englishwithjennifer]

You're welcome.

[@simonbit933]

Thank you.

[@Englishwithjennifer]

You're welcome!

[@Leo007619]

Using Simple Past in the if-clause and 'would' in the result clause in 'REAL conditional about the past' looks exactly the same as The Second Conditional which is Unreal. Is it ok? How can we distinguish one from the other without contect?

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Real conditional: If I MADE a mistake while playing, my piano teacher WOULD WAIT until I finished and then correct me. She was always patient and kind. (would wait = habitual past action) OR If I MADE a mistake while playing, my piano teacher usually WAITED until I finished and then correct me. She was always patient and kind, >> The context helps you understand this took place in the past. Fact: Mistakes were made. The piano teacher waited to give correction. COMPARE: If the musician HAD MADE a mistake, the audience WOULD NOT HAVE NOTICED. He is very skilled at covering up mistakes. Last night's performance was no different. But in reality, his performance was perfect. >> Fact: no mistake was made. Hope that helps.

[@Leo007619]

@@Englishwithjennifer so it means that I can distinguish the difference between 'Real conditional about past'(with 'would' in the main clause) from 'Second Conditional'(which uses the same grammar structure) only from context?

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Context is key.

[@Leo007619]

@@Englishwithjennifer ok, I got it! Thanks

[@jawadsharifi2547]

Hello, respective teacher. Can we use present perfect in the real conditional sentences, as you used in the video because it is the first time that I see the present perfect in the conditional sentence of real situation? If we can use why it is not mentioned in the textbooks.

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Yes, we can use the present perfect in real or likely conditionals. I co-authored Next Generation 3 with Pearson, and we mentioned using a "present form" or the verb not just "the simple present" in real conditionals. Examples: If you've ever had a bad cold, then you'll understand how miserable it feels. (IF + present tense), WILL for future result. If you've been to Hawaii, you probably have some souvenirs around the house, like a mug or a tiki statue. (IF + present tense), present for a likely fact. You can do a Google search for common phrases and then filter the results for News or Books to see additional examples. Look at two clauses in this article: "if you've never..." and "if you've ever been" nj1015.com/the-new-jersey-vietnam-veterans-memorial-opened-today-in-1989/

[@jawadsharifi2547]

@@Englishwithjennifer Thanks a ton for replying my humble teacher.

[@faizanzama5473]

So nice janifar

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Thank you for studying with me.

[@artemsss6867]

Your lessons for beginning?

[@Englishwithjennifer]

My playlists are carefully ordered, but you can choose any playlist to study. englishwithjennifer.com/students/yt-videos/ I have one for beginners. A smaller series for low intermediate. The rest are intermediate/advanced.

[@artemsss6867]

thank you!

[@aparecidoferreiravais321]

I like yours videos are amazing have a great day bye

[@Englishwithjennifer]

I'm happy you're following this new series. Thank you.

[@thanusha805]

Mam, plz help me what is the meaning of "keep chin up"

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Keep you chin up - - stay strong and confident.

[@eslamgomaa5676]

excellent

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Thank you. :) I appreciate the support.

[@everydayenglishaimanno4312]

Thank you for your efforts. If I don't charge my phone, I can't watch next Jennifer's episode.

[@aakashchandrathakur1116]

Thank you mam!!!

[@Englishwithjennifer]

You're very welcome.

[@thanusha805]

Mam, would you tell me "I am already running on fumes"

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Hi. It means you have very little energy left. You're nearly at the end of your strength.

[@thanusha805]

JenniferESL I'm so thank full to you mam

[@Gab0000]

Of course it will! If I don't charge my cell phone, I won't be able to interact with you and the other students on your Facebook page! Happy studies!

[@Englishwithjennifer]

A well-written example and one I very much appreciate. Thank your for charging your cell phone! I'd be sad if I couldn't interact with you all.

[@ajay0142]

mam how to improve my pronuntiation because lack of pronunciation i am not able to build a good vocabulary .give me any trick how to remember vocabulary

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Have you worked with my Oral Reading Fluency series? All my playlists are here. englishwithjennifer.com/students/yt-videos/ I have study tips for learning vocabulary on my website. Look under Students > Study Tips. Regards!

[@aakashchandrathakur1116]

Hi ma'am!! Plz make me clear. your vs yours with explanation

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Hi. YOUR is a possessive adjective. Use it before a noun: I like YOUR shirt. YOURS is a possessive pronoun. Use it like a noun (subject or object): I like YOURS better than mine. / I love all these student drawings, but I think YOURS is the best.

[@SalmanKhan-jc5yd]

If I don't charge my cell phone, i won't be able to watch your precious lessons.

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Good example. Capitalize the pronoun "I."

[@SalmanKhan-jc5yd]

Thank you mam

[@aakashchandrathakur1116]

Hi ma'am!! Could you make a video on table of personal pronoun.

[@Englishwithjennifer]

You can easily find charts for subject and object pronouns. Do you have a specific question?

[@ArunGoyal2007]

If wishes rode horses, beggars would ride them...Happy Diwali, festival of lights in India is on the 19th October, a moonless night

[@Englishwithjennifer]

What a lovely festival that is! Happy Diwali!

[@GilvaneyBrito]

hello like video thanks

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Thanks for liking the video!

[@alooooshm]

1-correct me if I was wrong, but didn't you major in Russian? 3-If you are so smart, you do it! I think you'll have just as much troubles as I had. Bonus Questiont: If I don't charge my cellphone, then it will turn off and I'll get to communicate physically with others around me.

[@Englishwithjennifer]

We'll go over answers in our next lesson. Your answer to my bonus question makes me laugh! Indeed, we'd likely communicate more directly and pay attention more to the world around us without our smartphones. :)

[@PRIYANKASINGH-hv8ri]

Yes, it can. I could be bored to death with no songs to listen to on my way back to home from work.

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Some like silence, but others need music or conversation of some kind. :) Correction: I can be bored to death with no songs to listen to on my back back home from work.

[@sanakhan3131]

Mam sorry but you don't understand my question . What I asked you is that Abilities are things like this I could swim I could play hockey I could sing. But watching TV or going outside aren't abilities . I couldn't watch TV , If I didn't finish my homework . I could go outside , ride my bike ,and skate , If my homework was done.

[@Englishwithjennifer]

"Could" can express ability or possibility. What was allowed? What was permitted? What was possible?

[@lingyo336]

If I don't charge my cell phone, I can't make any appointments because all the numbers are in the cellphone list.

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Thanks for sharing your answer. I feel the same way. I schedule so much with the help of my phone.

[@faizanzama5473]

Jennefir please show your Facebook page

[@Englishwithjennifer]

facebook.com/englishwithjenniferlebedev/ It's in the video description, too. See you on FB!

[@rafaenrick0F]

if I don't charge my cellphone, I wouldn't have battery to speak with teacher Jennifer

[@Englishwithjennifer]

True. Charge your phone! :) Correction: 1. (real) If I don't charge my phone, I won't have enough battery power to speak with Jennifer. 2. (unreal) If I didn't charge my phone, I wouldn't have enough battery power to speak with Jennifer.

[@fafifafi7405]

Can you teach me Thank you 😊

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Please follow me here, on Facebook, and also on Twitter. :)

[@aakashchandrathakur1116]

Are you active? Ma'am

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Hi. I try to check YT comments daily. I'm also on Facebook and Twitter. facebook.com/englishwithjenniferlebedev/ twitter.com/JLebedev_ESL

[@engin7787]

If I charge my mobile ,most possible, that I will have to answer my mother and explain why I didn't turn up for Sunday's lunch last weekend .

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Ha ha. Keep your phone charged and stay in touch with your mother. :)

[@susanablanco3012]

If I don't charge my cell phone, then I won't be able to communicate with my friends or family and might even loose some good job oportunities.

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Hi Susana. Thanks for sharing another example. :) Indeed, smartphones have become like a lifeline for us!

[@lixiaoyan4702]

If I don't charge my cell phone, I will miss some calls.

[@Englishwithjennifer]

That's a good future conditional. To make it more like a general truth, use the simple present in both clauses: I miss calls if I don't charge my cell phone.

[@seanzhang876]

If I don’t charge my cell phone, it will run out of power and switch off automatically, so I will miss friends’ calls and some other communication information.

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Yes, I wonder if we'd function without calls and texting. Could we live with only email? Thanks for posting your answer, Sean.

[@baharbozac2000]

If I don't charge my cell phone, I can enjoy a day without the wonder of thinking the new notifications from whatsapp, calls and social media.

[@Englishwithjennifer]

True. Every hour can be silent without the constant notifications! Thanks for sharing your example.

[@mohammedabdelkadir4478]

If I didn't charge my phone for long, it would automatically switch off.

[@Englishwithjennifer]

That's a great example of an unreal conditional about the future. To make it real or likely, we'd say: If I don't charge my phone, it will automatically shut off.

[@mohammedabdelkadir4478]

JenniferESL OK, thanks.

[@АняПе]

Nothing bad will happen if I don't charge my cell phone, but I prefer to stay connected. I both charge my cell phone and have a cell phone recharger with me.

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Yes, I try to charge my phone each night. :)

[@kelvintomaszewski6995]

If I didn't charge my cellphone, I could miss some important call

[@Englishwithjennifer]

Yes. True!

[@seti1805]

If you were so smart , you *would* do it. I think you shall have just as much trouble as I *had*

[@Englishwithjennifer]

The answers will be in the next lesson after this one. Use my playlist to follow the order. This statement is referring to a present situation. Stay in the simple present and use the imperative for the command. Remember that in American English, "will" is much more common than "shall" for predictions.

[@ArunGoyal2007]

Sorry, that should be: if wishes were horses, beggars would ride them.

[@Englishwithjennifer]

And we'd all be beggars!

[@arungoyal2046]

JenniferESL Cheers..