Conditionals

Zero conditional

We use the zero conditional to talk about things that are generally true, especially for laws and rules.

The structure is: If/When + present simple >> present simple.

If I drink too much coffee, I can't sleep at night.
Ice melts if you heat it.
When the sun goes down, it gets dark.

First conditional

We use the first conditional when we talk about future situations we believe are real or possible.

the structure is usually: if/when + present simple >> will + infinitive.

If it doesn't rain tomorrow, we'll go to the beach.
Arsenal will be top of the league if they win.
When I finish work, I'll call you.

It is also common to use this structure with unless, as long as, as soon as or in case instead of if.

I'll leave as soon as the babysitter arrives.
I don't want to stay in London unless I get a well-paid job.
I'll give you a key in case I'm not at home.
You can go to the party, as long as you're back by midnight.

Second conditional

The second conditional is used to imagine present or future situations that are impossible or unlikely in reality.

The structure is usually: if + past simple >> + would + infinitive.

If we had a garden, we could have a cat.
If I won a lot of money, I'd buy a big house in the country.
I wouldn't worry if I were you.

When if is followed by the verb be, it is grammatically correct to say if I were, if he were, if she wereand if it were. However, it is also common to hear these structures with was, especially in the he/sheform.

If I were you, I wouldn't mention it.
If she was prime minister, she would invest more money in schools.
He would travel more if he was younger.

Third conditional

Third conditional sentences describe the past. They describe something that didn't happen.

The structure is usually: if + past perfect and would + perfect infinitive (e.g. have done).

If I'd studied harder at school, I would have gone to university.

We wouldn't have got lost if you hadn't given me the wrong directions.

She might have finished the exam if she'd had more time.

Mixed conditionals

In mixed conditionals, the time between the first and second clause is not the same.

We would be there now if we had left earlier.
We are not there now because we left late.

If I had studied harder I could have a better salary.
He didn't study hard (in the past) and now he has a low salary.

Caroline would be coming tomorrow if you had told her about the party.
Caroline will not be there tomorrow because you didn’t invite her. (in the past).