Maîtrise des Conditionals et des Modals en anglais

Conditionals allow us to link a condition to a result. The First Conditional uses $Present Simple$ + $will$ for realistic outcomes. The Second Conditional uses $Past Simple$ + $would$ for imaginary situations. Modals like $must$ , $can$ , or $should$ modify the meaning of verbs. They do not change form with subjects. Remember: never use $will$ after 'if'. Use the bare infinitive after modals. These tools help express probability, obligation, and hypothesis effectively in English.

Mastery of present and past simple tenses

Basic understanding of sentence structure (Subject + Verb + Object)

Expressing universal truths and future possibilities

Hypothetical situations in the present

Modals do not change in third person singular

They are followed by the bare infinitive (no 'to')

Structure: If + $Present Simple$ , $will + V_1$

If it rains, I will stay home.

Structure: If + $Past Simple$ , $would + V_1$

If I won the lottery, I would travel the world.

Verbs like must, might, could, can't indicating levels of certainty.

He must be at home because his car is here.

Deciding on an action based on future and hypothetical outcomes.

Step 1: Identify if the situation is real (First Conditional) or imaginary (Second Conditional).

Step 2: Choose the correct modal based on the required intensity of obligation or possibility ( $can$ , $must$ , $should$ ).

Step 3: Combine: 'If I have time (real condition), I might (possibility) visit you.'

Think of modals as 'The VIP club members': they never take an -s ( $He musts$ is wrong) and they always demand a bodyguard ( $bare infinitive$ ) right next to them.

First = Future (Real), Second = Subjunctive/Imaginary (Distant from reality).

Using 'will' in the 'if' clause.

Never use 'will' or 'would' inside the 'if' part. The structure is strictly If + $Present/Past$ .

Adding 'to' after a modal.

Modals (except $ought to$ ) are directly followed by the verb base form, e.g., $can go$ not $can to go$ .

What is the formula for the First Conditional?

What is the formula for the Second Conditional?

Do modal verbs take an -s in the third person singular?

Which modal expresses a logical deduction of certainty?

Complete: If I ___ (know) the answer, I would tell you.

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Comprendre le cours

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Urbanisme et géographie : Village, neighbourhood, city

Prérequis

Structure du cours

The Conditionals (Si-clauses)

Modal Verbs

Notions clés

First Conditional

Second Conditional

Modal Verbs of Probability

Exemple résolu

Astuces & analogies

Modal Verb Grammar

Conditionals

Erreurs fréquentes

Flashcards

Citoyenneté et enjeux des mondes virtuels

Les verbes be et have au présent