TYPES OF CONDITIONALS

CONDITIONAL USAGE IF-CLAUSE MAIN-CLAUSE

TYPE

ZERO real condition + present simple present simple

inevitable result
CONDITIONALS FIRST possible condition +
probable result
present simple will + base verb

SECOND hypothetical condition + past simple would + base verb

possible result

THIRD unreal past condition + past perfect would have + past

possible past result participle

ZERO CONDITIONAL (general truths) FIRST CONDITIONAL (possible things)

● It expresses general truths and general habits. ● It is used for possible or likely things in the future, a real
● We use it when the result of the condition is always true, possibility in the future
like a scientific fact.
If + present simple, will + infinitive
If + present simple, present simple
If it rains later, we will stay at home
If you heat ice, it melts
SECOND CONDITIONAL (unreal things) SECOND CONDITIONAL
● It is used for impossible things in the present, unlikely Billie Eilish - ‘everything i wanted’
things in the future and to give advice.
If I knew it all then, would I do it again?
If + past simple, would + infinitive
Would I do it again?

If I were taller, I would reach the projector. If they knew what they said, it would go straight to my head.

If I won the lottery, I would travel around the world. What would they say instead?

THIRD CONDITIONAL (hypothetical situations) TIME CLAUSES

● They are used for general statements and future events with words
● It is used for things that didn’t happen in the past and
such as when, as soon as, before, after, once and the moment (that).
their imaginary results in the future, and to express regret. ● They are a type of adverb that begin with a time word.

If + past perfect, would have + past participle (3rd column) Time word (when, before, after…) + subject + verb = TIME CLAUSE

If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam Plants need extra water when it doesn’t rain.

We will head for the beach before it gets too hot.