Conditionals

Conditional grammar refers to the set of rules and structures used to express hypothetical or speculative situations, events, or outcomes based on certain conditions. It allows us to discuss what might happen or what would be the result if specific conditions are met or not met. In English, conditional grammar primarily involves the use of conditional sentences, which can be classified into four main types: zero conditional, first conditional, second conditional, and third conditional.

Zero Conditional

Form: If + Present Simple, Present Simple

Use: To describe general truths, scientific facts, and things that are always true.

Examples:

  • If you heat water to 100°C, it boils.
  • If it rains, the ground gets wet.

Explanation: Zero conditional sentences are used for universal truths where the result is always the same.

First Conditional

Form: If + Present Simple, Will + Base Verb

Use: To describe real and possible future situations.

Examples:

  • If it rains tomorrow, we will cancel the picnic.
  • If you study hard, you will pass the exam.

Explanation: First conditional sentences are used for probable future events where the result is likely to happen.

Second Conditional

Form: If + Past Simple, Would + Base Verb

Use: To describe hypothetical or unlikely present or future situations.

Examples:

  • If I won the lottery, I would travel the world.
  • If she were here, she would help us.

Explanation: Second conditional sentences are used for imaginary or unlikely events. Note that “were” is used instead of “was” for all subjects in formal English.

Third Conditional

Form: If + Past Perfect, Would have + Past Participle

Use: To describe hypothetical past situations that did not happen.

Examples:

  • If I had known about the party, I would have gone.
  • If they had studied harder, they would have passed the exam.

Explanation: Third conditional sentences are used for unreal past situations, expressing regret or missed opportunities.

Mixed Conditionals

Mixed conditionals combine two different times in one sentence.

Examples:

  1. Past/Present Mixed Conditional:
    • If I had studied harder (past), I would have a better job now (present).
  2. Past/Future Mixed Conditional:
    • If she had caught the train (past), she would be here by now (future).

Explanation: Mixed conditionals describe situations where the if-clause refers to a different time than the main clause.

Exercises

Exercise 1: Identify the Type of Conditional

Label each sentence as Zero, First, Second, or Third Conditional.

  1. If it snows, the roads are slippery.
  2. If I had seen him, I would have told him the news.
  3. If you heat ice, it melts.
  4. If she studies, she will pass the exam.
  5. If I were you, I would apologize.

Exercise 2: Complete the Sentences

Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb in parentheses.

  1. If it (rain) tomorrow, we (cancel) the picnic.
  2. If I (be) rich, I (buy) a mansion.
  3. If she (study) harder, she (pass) the exam.
  4. If they (know) about the traffic, they (leave) earlier.
  5. If you (heat) water to 100°C, it (boil).

Exercise 3: Transform the Sentences

Rewrite the sentences using the correct conditional form.

  1. I didn’t see her, so I didn’t tell her the news. (Third Conditional)
  2. She doesn’t study hard, so she doesn’t get good grades. (Zero Conditional)
  3. He isn’t rich, so he doesn’t donate much money. (Second Conditional)
  4. They will go to the beach if the weather is nice. (First Conditional)

Exercise 1

  1. Zero Conditional
  2. Third Conditional
  3. Zero Conditional
  4. First Conditional
  5. Second Conditional

Explanation:

  • Zero Conditional: General truths
  • First Conditional: Real future situations
  • Second Conditional: Hypothetical present/future situations
  • Third Conditional: Hypothetical past situations

Exercise 2

  1. rains, will cancel (First Conditional)
  2. were, would buy (Second Conditional)
  3. studies, will pass (First Conditional)
  4. had known, would have left (Third Conditional)
  5. heat, boils (Zero Conditional)

Explanation:

  • First Conditional: Present Simple + Will + Base Verb
  • Second Conditional: Past Simple + Would + Base Verb
  • Third Conditional: Past Perfect + Would have + Past Participle
  • Zero Conditional: Present Simple + Present Simple

Exercise 3

  1. If I had seen her, I would have told her the news.
  2. If she studies hard, she gets good grades.
  3. If he were rich, he would donate much money.
  4. If the weather is nice, they will go to the beach.

Explanation:

  • Third Conditional: For unreal past situations.
  • Zero Conditional: For general truths.
  • Second Conditional: For hypothetical present/future situations.
  • First Conditional: For real possible future situations.

Summary:

  • Zero Conditional: General truths (If + Present Simple, Present Simple)
  • First Conditional: Real future possibilities (If + Present Simple, Will + Base Verb)
  • Second Conditional: Hypothetical present/future (If + Past Simple, Would + Base Verb)
  • Third Conditional: Hypothetical past (If + Past Perfect, Would have + Past Participle)
  • Mixed Conditionals: Different times in one sentence

Back to Grammar Page

Back to Home Page