What If? (H2)
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EN: The First Conditional is used to talk about possible future events and their likely results. The structure consists of an 'if' clause in the Present Simple tense ('If it rains') and a main clause in the Future Simple tense ('we will stay').
If you study hard, you will pass the exam.
EN: Direct speech reporting verbs (like 'says') can be placed after the quoted speech. In this structure, the subject ('Hana') follows the verb ('says') or can precede it, especially when the subject is a proper noun.
"I am tired," says John.
EN: The Second Conditional is used to talk about hypothetical, unreal, or imaginary situations in the present or future. The structure is: 'If + subject + past simple verb, subject + would + base verb'. Here, 'had' and 'would learn' show that the speaker does not currently have more time.
If I had a car, I would drive to the beach.
EN: Direct speech reporting clause: When quoting someone directly, the reporting verb (e.g., 'says') and the speaker (e.g., 'Sarah') can be placed after the quote. In this structure, 'says Sarah' uses the present simple tense to report the statement.
"I love reading," says Leo.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, learning a musical instrument like the piano is a common hobby and personal aspiration. The phrase 'I would learn the piano' reflects a widespread cultural value placed on self-improvement and artistic expression, even when constrained by busy modern lifestyles.
EN: First Conditional (Type 1 Conditional): Used to talk about real and possible future situations. The 'if' clause uses the Simple Present tense, while the main clause uses 'will' + base verb.
If it rains tomorrow, we will stay at home.
EN: Direct Speech with Reporting Verb: When reporting what someone said directly, the spoken words are enclosed in quotation marks, followed by a comma, and then the reporting verb and subject (e.g., ', says Emma').
"I am ready," says Leo.
EN: The Second Conditional is used to talk about hypothetical, unreal, or imaginary situations in the present or future. The structure is 'If + subject + past simple, subject + would + base verb'. Note that 'were' is used for all subjects (including I, he, she, it) in formal English.
If I were you, I would accept the job offer.
EN: Reporting verbs like 'says' can be placed after the direct quote. In this structure, the subject and verb can remain in the standard order (Subject + Verb) as in 'says Ryan' or 'Ryan says'.
"I am ready," says Sarah.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, discussing hypothetical scenarios (like 'What would you do if you were rich?') is a very common conversational icebreaker. It is seen as a friendly way to learn about a person's values, such as their generosity or personal dreams, without asking intrusive personal questions.
EN: The First Conditional is used to talk about things which might happen in the future. It uses the present simple tense in the 'if' clause, and the future simple tense (will + verb) in the main clause.
If it rains tomorrow, we will stay at home.
EN: Direct speech with reporting verbs like 'says'. When reporting what someone said in the present tense, we use 'says [person]' or '[person] says'. In written English, the spoken words are enclosed in quotation marks.
"I am ready," says Sarah.
EN: In daily life, catching a train or bus is a common scenario where conditional sentences are used to express urgency or planning. The phrase 'catch the train' is idiomatic, meaning to arrive in time to board it.
EN: The Second Conditional is used to talk about hypothetical, imaginary, or highly unlikely situations in the present or future. The structure is: 'If + past simple, would + base verb'. In this sentence, 'won' is the past simple form of 'win', and 'would share' is the conditional result.
If I had a million dollars, I would buy a house.
EN: Direct speech is used to report the exact words spoken by someone. In English, the reporting verb (e.g., 'says') can be placed after the quoted speech. When the quote comes first, a comma is placed inside the quotation marks to separate the speech from the reporting clause.
"I love reading," says Leo.
EN: The First Conditional (real conditional) is used to talk about possible future situations and their probable results. In this sentence, the 'if-clause' uses the simple present tense ('need') to express a realistic condition.
If you have time, please call me.
EN: The imperative mood is used to give orders, advice, or instructions. In this sentence, 'just ask me' is an imperative clause acting as the main clause, where the subject 'you' is omitted.
If you get lost, just call my number.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, offering help with phrases like 'just ask me' or 'let me know' is a common way to show friendliness and support, creating a low-pressure environment for the other person to seek assistance.
EN: The Second Conditional is used to talk about hypothetical, imaginary, or highly unlikely situations in the present or future. The structure is: 'If + subject + past simple verb, subject + would + base verb'.
If I had a car, I would drive to work.
EN: The adverb 'daily' means 'every day' or 'once a day'. It can function as an adverb modifying a verb (like 'swim') to describe how often an action occurs.
She practices the piano daily.
EN: The First Conditional is used to talk about things which might happen in the future. The structure is 'If + simple present, will + infinitive'. It expresses a real possibility.
If you study hard, you will pass the exam.
EN: Direct speech reporting verbs: When reporting what someone said, we often use the verb 'say' in the simple present tense ('says') to report ongoing or general statements, or in the past tense ('said') for past events. In written English, the reporting clause (e.g., 'says Ryan') can be placed after the quoted speech.
"I am ready," says Sarah.
EN: The Second Conditional is used to talk about hypothetical, imaginary, or impossible situations in the present or future. The structure is: 'If + subject + past simple, subject + would + base verb'. Here, 'could' is the past form of 'can', representing an imaginary ability.
If I had a million dollars, I would buy a boat.
EN: Direct speech reporting verbs: When reporting what someone said, we often use the verb 'say' in the simple present tense ('says') to describe ongoing or habitual dialogue, or to keep the story lively. The subject and verb can sometimes be inverted (e.g., 'says Leo'), which is common in written English storytelling.
"I love reading," says Sarah.
EN: The First Conditional is used to talk about real and possible future situations. It consists of an 'if' clause in the simple present tense and a main clause in the simple future tense (will + base verb).
If you study hard, you will pass the exam.
EN: Direct speech reporting verbs like 'says' are used to attribute a quote to a speaker. When the quote comes first, the reporting verb and subject (e.g., 'says Hana') often appear at the end of the sentence.
"I am ready," says Leo.
EN: The Second Conditional is used to talk about hypothetical, unreal, or imaginary situations in the present or future. In the 'if' clause, we use the past simple tense (and 'were' is used for all subjects, including 'I', 'he', 'she', 'it' in formal English). In the main clause, we use 'would' + base verb.
If I had a million dollars, I would buy a house.
EN: The phrase 'If I were you' is a common idiom used to give advice. It sets up a hypothetical situation where the speaker imagines being in the listener's position, followed by what they would do in that scenario.
If I were you, I would take the job.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, giving advice directly can sometimes feel intrusive. Using the hypothetical 'If I were you...' is a polite and indirect way to offer a suggestion, as it frames the advice as what the speaker would do, rather than telling the listener directly what they must do.
EN: The verb 'imagine' can be followed by a noun clause starting with a question word (like 'how', 'what', 'why'). This clause acts as the direct object of the verb and uses statement word order (subject + verb), not question word order.
She explains how the machine works.
EN: The simple present tense is used here in the noun clause ('shape') to express a general truth, habitual action, or a permanent state that is currently true.
The choices we make today affect our lives tomorrow.
EN: The First Conditional is used to talk about real and possible future situations. It uses the structure: 'If + Present Simple, will + base verb'. The 'if-clause' represents the condition, and the 'main clause' represents the result.
If it rains tomorrow, we will stay at home.
EN: The verb 'reach' is used transitively here to mean achieving or attaining a particular goal, status, or level after effort.
She worked hard to reach her dreams.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, setting personal goals (especially at the beginning of a year, known as 'New Year's Resolutions') and emphasizing personal effort ('work hard') to achieve them is highly valued as a sign of self-reliance and determination.
EN: The First Conditional is used to talk about real and possible future situations. It consists of an 'if' clause (in the Simple Present tense) and a main clause (usually with 'will' + base verb).
If it rains tomorrow, we will stay at home.
EN: The adverb 'later' is used to refer to a time in the future, or after the time you are talking about. It often appears at the end of a clause.
I will call you back later.
EN: This sentence reflects a common universal value regarding time management and personal responsibility. In English-speaking cultures, productivity and the concept of 'time is money' or 'not wasting time' are highly emphasized as keys to self-improvement and success.
EN: The phrasal verb 'dream about' (or 'dream of') is used to describe imagining or thinking about something you would like to happen, or experiencing images in your sleep. It is followed by a noun or a gerund (-ing form).
She often dreams about traveling to outer space.
EN: The phrase 'what if' is used as a noun modifier here (placed in quotation marks) to describe a hypothetical situation or question. It refers to speculations about what might happen or what might have happened.
We need to consider all the 'what if' scenarios before making a decision.
EN: The phrase 'what if' is deeply rooted in English-speaking cultures as a tool for creative thinking, speculative fiction, and personal reflection. It encourages thinking outside the box and exploring hypothetical scenarios, which is a common theme in self-development and philosophy.
EN: The Second Conditional is used to talk about hypothetical, imaginary, or highly unlikely situations in the present or future. The structure is: 'If + subject + past simple verb, subject + would + base verb'.
If I had more time, I would learn the piano.
EN: The phrase 'people in need' is a common prepositional phrase used as an adjective to describe individuals who are experiencing poverty, hardship, or difficulties.
The charity provides food and shelter to people in need.
EN: The Second Conditional is used to talk about hypothetical, imaginary, or impossible situations in the present or future. The structure is: 'If + subject + past simple (were for all subjects), subject + would + base verb'.
If I were you, I would take the job.
EN: The phrasal verb 'search for' means to look for or try to find someone or something that is lost or needed.
They are searching for a solution to the problem.
EN: In modern English, 'clean energy' or 'green energy' refers to renewable energy sources that do not pollute the atmosphere, such as solar or wind power. This reflects a global cultural shift towards environmental awareness and sustainability.
EN: The Second Conditional is used to talk about hypothetical, imaginary, or highly unlikely situations in the present or future. The structure is: 'If + subject + past simple, subject + would + base verb'.
If I had a map, I would find the way.
EN: The modal verb 'could' is used in the 'if'-clause of the second conditional to express hypothetical ability or permission ('if I were able to').
If I could speak French, I would move to Paris.
EN: The verb pattern 'remind someone of something' is used to cause someone to remember or think about something. 'Remind' is the transitive verb, followed by the indirect object (me), and the preposition 'of' introduces the thing being remembered.
This song reminds me of my childhood.
EN: The phrase 'what I truly value' is a noun clause functioning as the object of the preposition 'of'. It uses the wh-word 'what' followed by subject-verb word order (I value) to represent 'the things that I value'.
She always stands up for what she believes in.
EN: This sentence uses the Zero Conditional (If + present simple, present simple). It is used to talk about general truths, facts, or scientific laws where the result is always certain.
If you heat ice, it melts.
EN: The adverb 'never' is an adverb of frequency. It is placed before the main verb ('imagine', 'grow') to indicate that the action does not happen at any time.
He never eats meat.
EN: This quote reflects a common Western philosophical value placed on creativity, curiosity, and personal growth. Imagination is often celebrated in educational and personal development contexts as the driving force behind progress and self-actualization.
EN: The Simple Present Tense is used here to express a general truth or a fact that is always true. In this sentence, 'guide' is in its base form because the subject 'Real conditions' is plural.
Scientific facts guide our understanding of the universe.
EN: Noun adjuncts (or noun modifiers) occur when a noun acts as an adjective to modify another noun. In 'daily steps', 'daily' acts as an adjective modifying 'steps', describing the frequency of the actions.
We need to plan our daily activities carefully.
EN: This sentence reflects a pragmatic philosophical outlook often valued in Western cultures—balancing big dreams with 'real conditions' (practical reality) that dictate our immediate, daily actions.
EN: The verb 'give' is a ditransitive verb, which means it can take two objects: an indirect object (the recipient, 'our lives') and a direct object (the thing given, 'direction and hope'). The typical structure is Subject + Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object.
She gave her brother a beautiful book.
EN: The word 'lives' is the plural form of the noun 'life'. When referring to the lives of multiple people (in this case, 'our lives'), the plural form 'lives' (pronounced /laɪvz/) must be used instead of the singular 'life'.
We want to improve people's daily lives.
EN: First Conditional (Type 1 Conditional): Used to talk about real and possible future situations. The structure is 'If + present simple, will + base verb'.
If you study hard, you will pass the exam.
EN: Keep in mind: An idiomatic phrase meaning to remember, consider, or bear something in mind when making a decision or taking action.
Please keep this rule in mind when you write your essay.
EN: The Second Conditional is used to talk about hypothetical, imaginary, or highly unlikely situations in the present or future. The structure is: 'If + subject + past simple verb, subject + would + base verb'.
If I had a million dollars, I would buy a house.
EN: Reporting verbs like 'ask' or 'say' can be placed at the end of a direct quotation. In written English, the subject and verb can sometimes be inverted (e.g., 'asks Sarah' or 'Sarah asks'), especially when the subject is a proper noun.
"Where are you going?" asks John.
EN: In English-speaking cultures, asking hypothetical questions like 'What would you do if...' is a very common and friendly way to start a conversation, build rapport, and learn about a friend's values and interests without being too intrusive.
EN: The Second Conditional is used to talk about hypothetical, imaginary, or unlikely situations in the present or future. The structure is: 'If + subject + past simple, subject + would + base verb'.
If I had a million dollars, I would buy a house.
EN: Reporting verbs like 'says' can be placed at the end of a direct quotation. In written English, when the reporting clause is at the end, we use a comma inside the quotation marks instead of a period.
EN: The First Conditional is used to talk about real and possible future situations. The structure consists of an 'if' clause in the simple present tense and a main clause in the simple future tense (will + base verb).
If it rains tomorrow, we will stay at home.
EN: Reporting verbs like 'says' are used to attribute direct speech to a speaker. In written English, when the speaker's name comes after the quote, the subject and verb can be inverted (e.g., 'says Ryan' or 'Ryan says').
"I am ready," says Sarah.
EN: The Second Conditional is used to talk about hypothetical, unreal, or imaginary situations in the present or future. The structure is: 'If + subject + past simple verb, subject + would + base verb'. Note that 'were' is traditionally used for all subjects (including 'I', 'he', 'she', 'it') in the 'if' clause.
If I were you, I would accept the job offer.
EN: Direct speech with reporting verbs like 'says'. When reporting what someone said in the present tense, the reporting verb (e.g., 'says') comes after or before the quoted speech. If the subject is a proper noun, the order can be 'says [Name]' or '[Name] says'.
"I love reading," says Sarah.
EN: First Conditional: Used to talk about things which might happen in the future. The structure is 'If + simple present, will + base verb'.
If you study hard, you will pass the exam.
EN: Adverbs of Frequency and Manner: 'Daily' acts as an adverb of frequency (how often), and 'fast' acts as an adverb of manner (how/at what speed) modifying the verb 'improve'.
EN: The Second Conditional is used to talk about hypothetical, imaginary, or highly unlikely situations in the present or future. The structure is: 'If + subject + past simple verb, subject + would + base verb'.
If I won the lottery, I would buy a house.
EN: Direct speech reporting clause: When quoting someone directly, the reporting verb (e.g., 'says') and the speaker (e.g., 'Sarah') are placed after the quote, separated by a comma inside the quotation marks.
EN: Returning lost items like wallets is highly valued in many cultures as a sign of honesty and civic duty. In English-speaking countries, there is a common saying, 'Finders keepers, losers weepers,' but in reality, returning lost property is legally and socially expected.
EN: The First Conditional is used to talk about real and possible future situations. It uses the structure: 'If + present simple, will + base verb'.
If it rains tomorrow, we will stay at home.
EN: The reporting verb 'says' is used in the present tense to introduce direct speech. When the quote comes first, the subject and verb can remain in the standard order (Subject + Verb) or be inverted, though standard order is very common with pronouns.
"I love music," says Leo.
EN: Environmental awareness and recycling are highly valued in many English-speaking countries. The phrase 'the planet' is commonly used as a friendly, informal way to refer to the Earth and its global environment.
EN: The Second Conditional is used to talk about hypothetical, imaginary, or highly unlikely situations in the present or future. The structure is: 'If + subject + past simple verb, subject + would + base verb'. In this sentence, 'could' is the past form of 'can', and 'would visit' represents the hypothetical result.
If I had a spaceship, I would travel to Mars.
EN: Reporting verbs in direct speech can be placed after the quoted statement. When the subject is a proper noun (like 'Ryan'), we often see the inverted order 'says Ryan' or the standard order 'Ryan says'. In this context, 'says Ryan' is used to attribute the quote.
EN: The concept of 'time travel' is a very popular theme in Western science fiction literature and movies (such as 'Back to the Future'). Discussing 'what if' scenarios regarding time travel is a common icebreaker and conversational topic in English-speaking cultures to explore people's values and imaginations.
EN: The First Conditional is used to talk about things that are real or possible in the present or future. It follows the structure: 'If + present simple, will + base verb'.
If it rains tomorrow, we will stay at home.
EN: The reflexive pronoun 'yourself' is used as the object of a verb or preposition when the subject of the sentence is also 'you'.
You should take care of yourself.
EN: The phrase 'believe in yourself' is a cornerstone of modern Western self-help and motivational culture, emphasizing individual agency, self-confidence, and personal empowerment as the keys to success.
EN: The adverbial clause of time introduced by 'when' is used to show that one action or state happens at the same time as, or immediately after, another. In this sentence, 'when we dare to ask...' indicates the condition or time under which dreams grow.
Children learn best when they feel safe and supported.
EN: The verb 'dare' can be used as a main verb meaning 'to have the courage to do something.' It is typically followed by a 'to-infinitive' (dare to do something) in affirmative sentences.
She did not dare to speak the truth.
EN: The phrase 'what if' is a common English idiom used to speculate about hypothetical situations or future possibilities. In creative and philosophical contexts, asking 'what if' is celebrated as the spark for scientific discovery, artistic creation, and personal growth.
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
To remember or consider something when making a decision or taking action.
Energy that comes from renewable, zero-emission sources that do not pollute the atmosphere.
The action of traveling through time into the past or the future.
To have confidence in your own abilities and value.