What Are Conditionals?
Conditionals are sentences that describe situations and their possible outcomes. They often use the word
"if" to show that one action or situation depends on another. Conditionals talk about things that could
happen, things that might have happened, or things that always happen if something else occurs.
Types of Conditionals
There are four main types of conditionals, each showing different possibilities or situations.
1. Zero Conditional
The zero conditional talks about things that are always true or always happen in certain situations. It’s
often used to describe facts or general truths.
Structure:
• If + present simple, present simple
Examples:
• If you heat water, it boils. (This is always true.)
• If it rains, the ground gets wet. (This always happens when it rains.)
Tip:
The zero conditional is used for facts or things that always happen in a certain condition.
2. First Conditional
The first conditional talks about real and possible situations that might happen in the future. It shows a
possible condition and its likely result.
Structure:
• If + present simple, will + base verb
Examples:
• If I study, I will pass the exam. (It’s a real possibility that I will pass if I study.)
• If it rains tomorrow, we will stay home. (It’s possible it will rain, and then we’ll stay home.)
Tip:
The first conditional is for real situations that can happen in the future. Use “will” to show the result.
3. Second Conditional
The second conditional is used for imaginary or unreal situations in the present or future. It talks about
things that probably won’t happen or are unlikely.
Structure:
• If + past simple, would + base verb
Examples:
• If I had a million dollars, I would buy a big house. (I don’t have a million dollars, so this is
imaginary.)
• If she were here, she would help us. (She isn’t here, so this is imaginary.)
Tip:
The second conditional is for things that are unlikely to happen or for imagining a different situation. Use
“would” to show the result.
4. Third Conditional
The third conditional is used to talk about past situations that didn’t happen. It expresses regret or
things we wish had happened differently in the past.
Structure:
• If + past perfect, would have + past participle
Examples:
• If I had studied, I would have passed the exam. (But I didn’t study, and I didn’t pass.)
• If they had left earlier, they would have caught the train. (But they didn’t leave early, so they
missed the train.)
Tip:
The third conditional talks about things that didn’t happen in the past and how things could have been
different.
Summary of Conditionals
Type of
Structure Example Use
Conditional
Zero If + present simple, present If you heat water, it For facts or things that are
Conditional simple boils. always true
First If + present simple, will + If I study, I will pass the For real and possible future
Conditional base verb exam. situations
Second If + past simple, would + If I were rich, I would For imaginary or unlikely
Conditional base verb travel the world. present/future situations
Type of
Structure Example Use
Conditional
Third If + past perfect, would If I had known, I would For past situations that didn’t
Conditional have + past participle have told you. happen
Key Points to Remember:
• Zero conditional is for general facts and things that always happen.
• First conditional is for real, possible situations in the future.
• Second conditional is for unlikely or imaginary situations in the present or future.
• Third conditional is for past situations that didn’t happen and imagining a different outcome.
Extra Practice Sentences:
1. Zero Conditional: If you touch fire, you get burned.
2. First Conditional: If it’s sunny tomorrow, we will go to the beach.
3. Second Conditional: If I had a car, I would drive to work.
4. Third Conditional: If I had known about the party, I would have gone.
Conditionals help us express possibilities, regrets, or hypothetical situations. Practice using them to talk
about real situations or imagine fun possibilities!
