G2R - the first conditional part 2

On our last Grammar2Remember, we reviewed the first conditional. To see that lesson, you can check out our April 1 blog.


Now for the advanced form:
Like the second conditional, the first conditional also has an advanced form. To learn how to use this structure, let's take a look at these first conditional sentences with the word should:


If it should rain tomorrow, I won't go out.
If they should arrive late, we won't let them in.
If his secretary should resign, he'll be in deep trouble.


The sentences above mean the same thing if they didn't have the word should. In other words, they have the same meaning as the following regular first conditional sentences:


If it rains tomorrow, I won't go out.
If they arrive late, we won't let them in.
If his secretary resigns, he'll be in deep trouble.


With the word should in our first conditional sentences, it's easy to form the advanced structure. We simply get rid of the word if and place the word should at the beginning of the "if clause".


like this:
Should it rain tomorrow, I won't go out.
Should they arrive late, we won't let them in.
Should his secretary resign, he'll be in deep trouble.


That's it. Not too difficult, is it? Interestingly enough, this structure is not so common in the negative; it's better to say the sentence in the affirmative using a word with the opposite meaning. For example, instead of saying "Should they not arrive late, ..." it's better to say, "Should they arrive early, ..."


Now it's time for you to practice. Finish these sentences:
Should it rain next weekend, I will ...
Should the weather be nice tomorrow. I will ... 


Good luck! 

TT4BS - the l sound

To practice the l sound, let your tongue touch the back of your upper front teeth.


Practice these words first:
Lake, late, less, least, lost
Call, melt, filth, cool, bold
Below, allow, rolling, balance, hello

To practice the tongue twister, read and say it slowly first several times, then you can say it faster as you get used to it. Always focus on the sound.
Little Kyle lay low while Lillian looked for Leila's lollipop that little Kyle lost.

G2R - the first conditional

We use the first conditional to say what is likely to occur when something happens now or in the future. A common question in the first conditional is "What will you do if it rains tomorrow?" You ask this question because there's a good possibility that it will rain and when it does, you want to know what your friend will do.

Remember that the "if clause" in the first conditional has to be in the present tense, while the "result clause" has to be in the future.

like this:

1. If it rains tomorrow, I'll stay home and watch movies.
2. What do think Todd and Sarah will do if they miss their train?
3. They'll probably try to fly to Boston if they miss their train.


What about you? What will you do if it rains tomorrow?