Conditionals describe hypothetical situations and their consequences. They are essential for discussing possibilities, probabilities, and imaginary scenarios in English.
Table of Contents
1. Zero Conditional: General Truths
Used for facts, scientific truths, and situations that are always true.
Structure
If + present simple, present simple
Examples:
- "If you heat ice, it melts."
- "If people don't eat, they get hungry."
Usage Notes
- Can use "when" instead of "if" with no change in meaning
- Both clauses are in present tense
- Often used for scientific facts and universal truths
2. First Conditional: Real Possibilities
Used for real and possible situations in the future.
Structure
If + present simple, will + base verb
Examples:
- "If it rains tomorrow, we will cancel the picnic."
- "If you study hard, you will pass the exam."
Variations
| Variation | Example |
|---|---|
| With modal verbs | "If you finish early, you can leave" |
| With imperative | "If you see him, tell him to call me" |
3. Second Conditional: Unreal Present/Future
Used for hypothetical, unlikely or impossible present or future situations.
Structure
If + past simple, would + base verb
Examples:
- "If I won the lottery, I would buy a mansion."
- "If she knew the answer, she would tell us."
Special Cases
- Use "were" for all subjects with "to be"
"If I were you, I would accept the offer" - Often used to give advice
- Expresses unlikely or imaginary situations
4. Third Conditional: Unreal Past
Used for hypothetical situations in the past that cannot be changed.
Structure
If + past perfect, would have + past participle
Examples:
- "If you had studied harder, you would have passed the test."
- "If we had left earlier, we would have caught the train."
Usage Notes
- Expresses regret about past actions
- Describes situations that cannot be changed
- Often used for criticism or reflection
5. Mixed Conditionals
Combine elements of different conditionals to show time relationships.
Common Mixed Types
| Type | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Past → Present | If + past perfect, would + base verb | "If I had studied medicine, I would be a doctor now" |
| Present → Past | If + past simple, would have + past participle | "If I were smarter, I would have invested in that company" |
When to Use
- When the time in the if-clause is different from the result
- To show how past actions affect present situations
- To express hypothetical present qualities affecting past outcomes
6. Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Identify the Conditional Type
- "If water reaches 100°C, it boils"
Zero conditional - "If I had known, I would have helped"
Third conditional
Exercise 2: Complete the Sentences
- If I (have) more time, I (learn) to play the piano
had, would learn - If you (not/remind) me, I (forget) about the meeting
hadn't reminded, would have forgotten
Exercise 3: Correct the Errors
- "If I will see him, I will tell him"
If I see him, I will tell him - "If you would have called, I would have picked you up"
If you had called, I would have picked you up
7. Conditionals FAQ
- Q: Can we use other modals instead of 'will/would'?
A: Yes! You can use might/could/should depending on the meaning: "If it rains, we might stay home" - Q: Is "If I was" ever correct?
A: In informal speech, but "If I were" is grammatically correct for hypothetical situations - Q: Can we reverse the order of clauses?
A: Yes: "I would travel more if I had money" = "If I had money, I would travel more" - Q: How do we punctuate conditionals?
A: Use a comma when the if-clause comes first. No comma when it comes second
Conditionals describe hypothetical situations and their consequences. They are essential for discussing possibilities, probabilities, and imaginary scenarios in English.
Table of Contents
1. Zero Conditional: General Truths
Used for facts, scientific truths, and situations that are always true.
Structure
If + present simple, present simple
Examples:
- "If you heat ice, it melts."
- "If people don't eat, they get hungry."
Usage Notes
- Can use "when" instead of "if" with no change in meaning
- Both clauses are in present tense
- Often used for scientific facts and universal truths
2. First Conditional: Real Possibilities
Used for real and possible situations in the future.
Structure
If + present simple, will + base verb
Examples:
- "If it rains tomorrow, we will cancel the picnic."
- "If you study hard, you will pass the exam."
Variations
| Variation | Example |
|---|---|
| With modal verbs | "If you finish early, you can leave" |
| With imperative | "If you see him, tell him to call me" |
3. Second Conditional: Unreal Present/Future
Used for hypothetical, unlikely or impossible present or future situations.
Structure
If + past simple, would + base verb
Examples:
- "If I won the lottery, I would buy a mansion."
- "If she knew the answer, she would tell us."
Special Cases
- Use "were" for all subjects with "to be"
"If I were you, I would accept the offer" - Often used to give advice
- Expresses unlikely or imaginary situations
4. Third Conditional: Unreal Past
Used for hypothetical situations in the past that cannot be changed.
Structure
If + past perfect, would have + past participle
Examples:
- "If you had studied harder, you would have passed the test."
- "If we had left earlier, we would have caught the train."
Usage Notes
- Expresses regret about past actions
- Describes situations that cannot be changed
- Often used for criticism or reflection
5. Mixed Conditionals
Combine elements of different conditionals to show time relationships.
Common Mixed Types
| Type | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Past → Present | If + past perfect, would + base verb | "If I had studied medicine, I would be a doctor now" |
| Present → Past | If + past simple, would have + past participle | "If I were smarter, I would have invested in that company" |
When to Use
- When the time in the if-clause is different from the result
- To show how past actions affect present situations
- To express hypothetical present qualities affecting past outcomes
6. Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Identify the Conditional Type
- "If water reaches 100°C, it boils"
Zero conditional - "If I had known, I would have helped"
Third conditional
Exercise 2: Complete the Sentences
- If I (have) more time, I (learn) to play the piano
had, would learn - If you (not/remind) me, I (forget) about the meeting
hadn't reminded, would have forgotten
Exercise 3: Correct the Errors
- "If I will see him, I will tell him"
If I see him, I will tell him - "If you would have called, I would have picked you up"
If you had called, I would have picked you up
7. Conditionals FAQ
- Q: Can we use other modals instead of 'will/would'?
A: Yes! You can use might/could/should depending on the meaning: "If it rains, we might stay home" - Q: Is "If I was" ever correct?
A: In informal speech, but "If I were" is grammatically correct for hypothetical situations - Q: Can we reverse the order of clauses?
A: Yes: "I would travel more if I had money" = "If I had money, I would travel more" - Q: How do we punctuate conditionals?
A: Use a comma when the if-clause comes first. No comma when it comes second