Conditionals - English Grammar

Conditional Sentences are also known as Conditional Clauses or If Clauses. They are used to express that the action in the main clause (without if) can only take place if a certain condition (in the clause with if) is fulfilled.

In English language teaching, conditional sentences are often classified under the headings zero conditional, first conditional, second conditional and third conditional.

• Zero Conditional

Zero conditional is used for talking about General Truths/Facts. Things which always happen under certain conditions

The structure of a zero conditional sentence:

If clause (Present tense), result clause (Present tense)

Examples:

If it rains in Petropolis, it can be dangerous.

When markets crash, everyone suffers   (We can changer if – for when)

If you jump through the window, you can die.

•  First  Conditional

The first conditional is used to talk about future events that are likely to happen.

The structure of a first conditional sentence:

If clause (Simple Present), result (Future tense)

Examples:

If it's sunny, we'll go to the park.

If I have money, I will buy a car.

If she takes a taxi, she'll get there in time.

• Second  Conditional

The second conditional is used to talk about unlikely situations.

The structure of a second conditional sentence:

If clause (Past Simple), result (WOULD + Base Verb)

Examples:

If there were no hungry people in this world, it would be a much better place.

If I won a million dollars, I could stop working.

If I knew her name, I would tell you.

• Third  Conditional

The third conditional is used to talk about unreal situations in the past.

The structure of a third conditional sentence:

If clause (Past Perfect), result (WOULD HAVE + Past Participle)

Examples:

If I had studied harder, I probably would have passed the exam.

If I had won the lottery, I would have bought a car.

If he had arrived earlier, he wouldn't have missed the flight.