Conditionals... how to remember each!

Zero conditional

We use the zero conditional to talk about things that are always true.
  • If you heat water, it boils.
  • When the sun goes down, it gets dark.
  • It lights up if you push that button.
The present simple is used in both clauses.

First conditional

We use the first conditional when we talk about real and possible situations.
  • I’ll go shopping on the way home if I have time.
  • If it’s a nice day tomorrow, we’ll go to the beach.
  • If Arsenal win, they’ll be top of the league.
In first conditional sentences, the structure is usually if + present simple and will + infinitive. It’s not important which clause comes first.

Second conditional

The second conditional is used to talk about ‘unreal’ or impossible things.
  • If I won a lot of money, I’d buy a big house in the country.
  • Where would you live if you could live anywhere in the world?
  • If you didn’t smoke so much, you’d feel a lot better.
The structure is usually if + past simple and would + infinitive. It’s not important which clause comes first.

Look at the difference between the first and second conditionals.
  • In January: If it snows tomorrow, I’ll go skiing. It might snow tomorrow.
  • In August: If it snowed tomorrow, I’d go skiing. It almost certainly won’t snow tomorrow.
NOTE: Although many conditional sentences use if + will/would, conditional sentences can also use other words instead of ‘if’ – e.g. ‘when’ ‘as soon as’ ‘in case’ Other modal verbs can be used instead of ‘will/would’ – e.g. ‘can/could’, ‘may’ ‘might’.

Third conditional

We make the third conditional by using the past perfect after 'if' and then 'would have' and the past participle in the second part of the sentence:
  • if + past perfect, ...would + have + past participle
It talks about the past. It's used to describe a situation that didn't happen, and to imagine the result of this situation. It's also used to regret something in the past. 
  • If she had studied, she would have passed the exam (but, really we know she didn't study and so she didn't pass)
  • If I hadn't eaten so much, I wouldn't have felt sick (but I did eat a lot, and so I did feel sick).
  • If we had taken a taxi, we wouldn't have missed the plane.
  • She wouldn't have been tired if she had gone to bed earlier.
  • She would have become a teacher if she had gone to university.
  • He would have been on time for the interview if he had left the house earlier. 


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