Present Conditional

man, think, young
Type: Grammar
Originally published on February 18, 2023 and last updated on May 14, 2023

Practicing the present conditional through conversation is an excellent way for English learners to improve their English level and fluency. This grammatical structure is an essential component of English language proficiency, and mastering it will help learners to express themselves more confidently and accurately in everyday situations. By using real-life scenarios and practicing conversational skills, learners can develop their listening, speaking, and comprehension abilities, making them better equipped to communicate in English with native speakers. In this way, grammar-based conversational practice of the present conditional can significantly enhance learners’ language skills and confidence.

Instructions:
Go through the theory of the grammar point to make sure your students fully understand when and how it is used, and then go through the various conversation questions. Try and engage the students in conversation with follow up questions or comments if they only give one short answers.

Usage and Examples

The present conditional in English is a grammatical structure used to talk about hypothetical or imaginary situations in the present or future. It is formed by using the auxiliary verb “would” and the base form of the main verb, and it expresses a hypothetical condition that may or may not happen.

This conditional is used to express possibilities, probabilities, or speculations about the present or future, and it often indicates a hypothetical result or consequence of a certain condition. It can also be used to express wishes, desires, or suggestions that may not be possible or realistic.

Examples:

If I won the lottery, I would travel around the world.
If it rained tomorrow, I would stay home and watch movies.
If I had more time, I would learn a new language.
If you studied harder, you would get better grades.
If I were you, I would take a break and relax.

The structure of a present conditional sentence is:

if/when + subject + auxiliary verb (would) + base form of main verb + complement.

Example: If I had more money, I would buy a new car.

Note: In the present conditional, the verb “to be” is irregular in the first and third person singular, and it is “were” instead of “was.” Example: If I were rich, I would buy a big house.

Conversation Questions

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  • If you could have any superpower, what would you do with it?
  • If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you would do?
  • If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
  • If you could be any famous person for a day, who would you be and why?
  • If you could time travel, what era would you visit and why?
  • If you could create a new invention, what would it be and how would it change the world?
  • If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?
  • If you could meet anyone in the world, who would it be and what would you talk about?
  • If you could relive a moment from your past, what would it be and why?
  • If you could have any job in the world, what would it be and why?
  • If you could be any character from a book or movie, who would it be and why?
  • If you could eat only one type of food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
  • If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be and how would you do it?
  • If you could learn any skill instantly, what would it be and why?
  • If you could speak any language fluently, which one would it be and why?
  • If you could meet your future self, what advice would you ask for?
  • If you could switch bodies with anyone for a day, who would it be and why?
  • If you could live in any time period, which one would you choose and why?
  • If you could only wear one outfit for the rest of your life, what would it be?
  • If you could only watch one TV show for the rest of your life, what would it be?
  • If you could change one decision you've made in the past, what would it be and why?
  • If you could be any age forever, what age would you choose and why?
  • If you could only listen to one type of music for the rest of your life, what would it be?
  • If you could change one thing about the education system, what would it be and why?
  • If you could only eat at one restaurant for the rest of your life, what restaurant would it be and why?
Gregory
This conversation topic was prepared by Gregory

Gregory is a qualified TEFL teacher who has been teaching English as a Foreign Language (ESL) for over a decade. He has taught in-person classes in Spain and to English learners around the world online.