Conditionals in English

Conditionals in English

Zero conditional

First conditional

Second conditional

Third conditional

Conditionals

There are 4 types of conditional sentences

• Zero conditional
• First conditional
• Second conditional
• Third conditional

Zero conditional

The zero conditional describes events and results that happen regularly or are always true. If and when both mean ‘every time’: every time the event happens, the same result happens.

We use Present Simple in the If-clause and in the main clause

If I go to the city centre, I always eat in that restaurant.

Anyone can succeed if they work hard.

Butter doesn’t burn in the pan if you add a little oil to it.

!!! When If clause comes first we put comma after it

When the main clause comes first we don’t put comma after it and before the if-clause !!!

Zero conditional examples

First conditional

The first conditional describes possible future events and the expected results of those events. We use a present tense in the If -clause and a future form in the main clause:

If the scientists succeed, many people will live longer.

If I don't work hard, I won't be successful.

He ’ll cook you an amazing meal if you ask him to. He loves showing off!

First conditional examples

Second conditional

We use the second conditional to talk about imagined events or states and their

consequences. They can be about the unreal present or the unlikely future .

Second conditional

We usually use the past simple in the If-clause and would in the main clause . We can also use could or might instead of would:

You could afford to go on holiday if you were more careful with your money.

If you tried harder, you might win a medal.

The verb be has a special form in the second conditional. We can use were for all persons (if I were, if you were, if she were, etc.):

If I were taller, I’d be better at basketball.

We use the phrase If I were you to give advice:

If I were you , I wouldn’t eat that fish. It doesn't smell fresh.

We don't always need to include the if-clause if the meaning is clear:

Look at that house! That would be a great place to live. (… if I moved there )

I'm sure Jack would help you. (… if you asked )

Second conditional Tips

Second conditional Examples

Third conditional

We use the third conditional to talk about imagined past events or states and their consequences:

If you’d told me about your birthday, I would have bought you a present.

We use the past perfect in the if-clause and would have + past participle in the main clause.

We can also use could have or might have instead of would have:

We could have saved some money if we’d known about the offer.

If I had done more work, I might have passed the exam.

Common uses of third conditionals

1 Regrets about things that happened or didn’t happen in the past:

If I’d sold my house two years ago, I’d have made a fortune.

2 Relief about avoiding a past problem:

I might have missed the flight if you hadn’t woken me up.

3 Surprise about how things were different from expected:

If you'd told me five years ago I'd have my own company one day, I wouldn’t have believed you.

Third conditional

Third conditional examples

Imperative conditionals

We can use imperatives in the main clause. The meaning can be present or future:

If you're tired (now), go to bed (now).

If you’re tired when you arrive (this evening), go to bed (then).

Imperative conditional examples