Conditionals in Analysis

Article excerpt · target grammar marked

Behavioural scientist Wendy De La Rosa argues that this contract has effectively broken down. If you tell a 28-year-old in Toronto or Seoul that the formula still works, you are likely to be met with scepticism.

Grammar Reference · Conditionals in Analysis

Zero conditional

General truths and patterns. If saving feels futile, spending becomes the default. Present simple + present simple.

First conditional

Real future possibility. If affordability improves, savings rates will rise. Present simple + will + base form.

Second conditional

Hypothetical present or future. If the contract still worked, fewer people would spend this way. Past simple + would + base form.

Third conditional

Hypothetical past — different outcome. If policy had addressed the psychology, results would have differed. Past perfect + would have + past participle.

01Exercise 1 — Form · Write the Correct Form

Conditionals in Analysis

1.If housing costs to rise, more young adults will adopt doom spending habits.

2.If companies the psychology behind spending, their campaigns would perform better.

3.If the policy introduced earlier, the savings rate would have remained stable.

4.If consumers financially stressed, they often seek immediate emotional relief.

5.If the bank its interest rates, more customers will open savings accounts.

6.If wages kept pace with house prices, the doom spending trend might not exist.

02Exercise 2 — Transform

rewrite with the new structure

1.Spending rises when economic uncertainty increases. (zero conditional)

2.The company may launch a new product. Sales could recover. (first conditional)

3.They didn't consult behavioural economists. The campaign was ineffective. (third conditional)

4.House prices are not falling. Young people are not saving. (second conditional)

5.The platform ignored psychological factors. The intervention failed. (third conditional)

03Exercise 3 — About You

in your notebook

Personalise: complete five sentences about yourself using the target grammar.

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