The Zero Conditional: We use the zero conditional when talking about things which are always true, or generally true.
Structure:
If + Simple Present, + Simple Present OR Simple Present + If + Simple Present
Note:
We can use "when" instead of "if."
We can use "when" instead of "if."
The First Conditional: We use first conditional when talking about possible future events.
Structure:
If + Simple Present,+ Will OR Will+ If + Simple Present
Structure:
If + Simple Present,+ Will OR Will+ If + Simple Present
Note:
You can use these modal verbs instead of will: can, may.
The Second Conditional: We use the second conditional when talking about future events that are not likely to happen. We also use the second conditional when talking about things which are contrary to the present facts.
Structure:
If + Simple Past, + Would + Base Form OR Would + Base Form + If + Simple Past
Note:
You can use these modal verbs instead of would: could, might.
Note:
You can use these modal verbs instead of would: could, might.
The verb BE
The verb BE has a special rule in this case.
Usually we say: I was, he was, she was, it was, we were, you were, they were.
However, in these cases, we use: I were, he were, she were, it were, we were, you were, they were.
In other words: "were" is the only form.
Examples:
Usually we say: I was, he was, she was, it was, we were, you were, they were.
However, in these cases, we use: I were, he were, she were, it were, we were, you were, they were.
In other words: "were" is the only form.
Examples:
If I were you I would apologize.
(In reality I am not you.) |
I would fight back,if I were you.
(In reality I am not you.) |
The Third Conditional: We use the third conditional when talking about things which are contrary to the past facts. In other words: events that did not happen in the past.
Structure:
If + Past Perfect, + Would have + Vpast parti OR Would have + Vpast parti + If + Past Perfect
Note 1:
the short form of had is'd.
For example: If he'd passed his exams,he would get a diploma.
Note 2:
You can use these modal verbs instead of would have:
should have, could have, might have.
Note 1:
the short form of had is'd.
For example: If he'd passed his exams,he would get a diploma.
Note 2:
You can use these modal verbs instead of would have:
should have, could have, might have.
English Conditionals Summary Table
Conditional
|
Time Frame
|
Probability
|
Example
|
First Conditional
|
Future
|
Possible
|
If I meet Helen, I will invite her to the party.
|
Second Conditional
|
Future
|
Unlikely
|
If I won the lottery,
I would help the world. |
Second Conditional
|
Present
|
Unreal/
Imaginary |
If you studied English, you would pass the exam.
|
Third Conditional
|
Past
|
Impossible
|
If I had studied English,
you would have passed the exam. |
Zero Conditional
|
Always/Generally
|
Certain
|
If you heat ice,
it melts. |
