Conditionals? Is that something you use after shampooing your hair? Not quite.

You may have heard

your English teacher talk about conditionals. Who knows, you may have even learnt a couple:

 If it rains, you will get wet!

 If you don’t study, you won’t pass the exam.

But just when you think you’ve mastered them all, another one pops up that seems harder than the
last.

Well, the good news is there are four main conditionals. All of which we’re going to teach you today.
So that by the end of this blog post you’ll not only recognise them but also feel comfortable to use
them in a variety of situations. We’ll also share some fun videos with you!

So, if you’re ready to begin, let’s get the ball rolling. (That’s the first conditional by the way).

The conditionals

Conditionals are also known as if clauses, we use them to say that one thing depends on something
else. They can be used to talk about something that always happens, might happen or might have
happened as a result of another state, action or event.

Check out these four conditionals and how to use them in a sentence.

As you can see, the sentences are divided into two parts:

If clause (condition), + main clause (result)

These are separated by a comma, but they also function in the following order without one and mean
exactly the same thing:

Main clause (result) + if clause (condition)

Confused? Let’s take things back to basics.

1. Zero conditional

The zero conditional is used to talk about things that are certain, or always true. It is a real condition
that has an inevitable result. Think about how scientific facts are written or general truths.
Structure & Examples

The structure of the zero conditional is: If + present simple…present simple

The message here is that if something happens there will always be a guaranteed consequence. If you
stand out in the rain, you’ll get wet. If you eat too much, you’ll put on weight. If you touch a fire…
well, then you’re asking for it.

‘When’ instead of ‘if’

We can also use the word when instead of if and the meaning stays the same.

Activity One

Got it? Good. Now try out this fun quiz from Get Grammarous to practise the zero conditional!

2. First conditional

Finished the quiz? Now, back to work! Let’s move on to the first conditional. We use this to talk about
things in the future that are likely to happen or have a real possibility of happening.

Structure & Examples

The structure of the first conditional is: If + present tense,…will/won’t + infinitive

Other connectors: when, as soon as, in case, etc.

We can use the following connectors instead of if:

When, as soon as, in case, unless, as long as, after. However, each of these connectors changes the
meaning of the sentence slightly.
Modal verbs or imperatives

We can use modal verbs instead of will/won’t:

May, might, shall, should, could or an imperative in the main clause. This changes the meaning, or the
likelihood of the result.

Activity Two

Want to try out your skills with the first conditional? Try this Grammar Gameshow from BBC Learn
English.

3. Second conditional

So you’re halfway through learning the conditionals. Well done you! The thing is, this is where things
get a bit more difficult.

Whereas the zero and first conditionals describe a real or possible situation, the second and third are
imaginary or hypothetical situations. Let’s start with the second conditional:

Structure & Examples

The structure of the second conditional is: If + past simple,… would/wouldn’t + infinitive

As you can see, in the if clause we use the past simple, and in the main clause we use the
conditional would. We can also use the word could to mean a hypothetical possibility.
The second conditional refers to the present or the future, and is used to talk about
anything unlikely to happen. Imagine meeting Lionel Messi, or finding a million dollars on the floor.
These things might not have happened to you, but you sure can dream!

Were’ instead of ‘was’

When there is the verb to be in the if clause, we can change it from was to were. This is because we
are talking about hypothetical situations, so we’re changing the mood of the verb from indicative to
subjunctive. Both options are correct, but were is often preferred.

Activity Three

Lots of songs contain the second conditional! Here are some great examples for you to sing along
with:

4. Third conditional

Last but not least, we have the third conditional. We use this structure to talk about an imagined
past. That’s right ladies and gentlemen, here’s where you can change the past. Well, at least
speculate how things could have been different.

Structure & Examples

The structure of the third conditional is: If + past perfect,…would/wouldn’t + have + past participle.

As you can see, we often use the third conditional to talk about regrets, and it is based on an unreal
situation that cannot be changed.

Past participles
The third conditional is a little tricky, as there’s a lot to remember. So make sure you know your past
participles inside out first. Here’s a list of past participles for you to revise.

Activity Four

Watch this story about a surprise birthday party from The British Council to see third conditional in
use:

Bonus conditional: mixed conditional

And just when you thought the fun was about to end, we have another surprise conditional for you…
the mixed conditional. Don’t worry you’ve already learned the basis of the structure. It’s just about
em>meshing two conditionals together. The most common is to mix the third and the second to
create a present result of a past conditional. For example:

These sentences express that if something had been different in the past, something would be
different now in the present.

So that’s the end of our round up of the main conditionals! If you’re in the mood for some more
grammar, why not sign up for one of our General English classes? Or check out these blog posts
below:

Conditionals: if

Grammar > Verbs > Conditionals and wishes > Conditionals: if

from English Grammar Today

Imagined conditions

There are different types of conditions. Some are possible or likely, others are unlikely, and others are
impossible:

If the weather improves, we’ll go for a walk. (It is possible or likely that the weather will improve.)

If the weather improved, we could go for a walk. (It is not likely that the weather will improve.)

If the weather had improved, we could have gone for a walk. (The weather did not improve – fine
weather is therefore an impossible condition.)
These types of conditions are used in three types of sentences, called first, second and third
conditional sentences.

Imagined conditions: the first conditional

We use the first conditional to talk about the result of an imagined future situation, when we believe
the imagined situation is quite likely:

[imagined future situation]If the taxi doesn’t come soon, [future result]I’ll drive you myself.

First conditional: form

conditional clause main clause

modal verb with future meaning

if + present simple
(shall/should/will/would/can/could/may/might)

If he gets a job in
he’ll have to get up early. It’s a long drive.
Liverpool,

If Sheila rings, I might ask her to come over for dinner.

Warning:

We use the modal verb in the main clause, not in the conditional clause.

If a lawyer reads the document, we will see if we’ve missed anything important.

Not: If a lawyer will read the document…

Imagined conditions: the second conditional

We use the second conditional to talk about the possible result of an imagined situation in the
present or future. We say what the conditions must be for the present or future situation to be
different.

If people complained, things would change. (People don’t complain at the moment.)

Second conditional: form

conditional clause main clause

if + past simple modal verb with future-in-the-past meaning (should/would/might/could)

If you asked her

she would say yes, I’m sure.
nicely,

We use a past form in the conditional clause to indicate a distance from reality, rather than indicating
past time. We often use past forms in this way in English.
Warning:

We use would in the main clause, not in the conditional clause:

If you decided to take the exam, you would have to register by 31 March.

Not: If you would decide to take the exam …

See also:

 Politeness

First and second conditional compared

When we use the first conditional, we think the imagined situation is more likely to happen than
when we use the second conditional.

Compare

first conditional second conditional

If the flight’s late, we’ll miss our connection. If there were more buses, we would leave the
car at home. (it is unlikely that there will be
(it’s possible or likely that the flight will be late) more buses)

I’ll come and give a hand if you need help He would buy a flat if he had the money for a
moving your stuff. (it is possible or likely that deposit. (it is unlikely that he will have the
you will need help) money)

Imagined conditions: the third conditional

We use the third conditional when we imagine a different past, where something did or did not
happen, and we imagine a different result:

If I had played better, I would have won. (I didn’t play well and I didn’t win.)

It would have been easier if George had brought his own car. (George didn’t bring his own car, so
the situation was difficult.)

If the dog hadn’t barked, we wouldn’t have known there was someone in the garden. (The dog
barked, so we knew there was someone in the garden.)

Third conditional: form

conditional clause main clause

modal verb with future-in-the-past meaning (should/would/might/could)

if + past perfect
+ have + -ed form

If they had they would have arrived on time.

conditional clause main clause

left earlier,

Warning:

We use would have + -ed in the main clause, not in the conditional clause:

If he had stayed in the same room as Dave, it would have been a disaster.

Not: If he would have stayed … it would have been a disaster.

People do sometimes use the form with would have in informal speaking, but many speakers
consider it incorrect.

Real conditionals

Some conditions seem more real to us than others. Real conditionals refer to things that are true,
that have happened, or are very likely to happen:

If you park here, they clamp your wheels. (It is always true that they clamp your wheels if, or every
time, you park here.)

If I can’t sleep, I listen to the radio. (it is often true that I can’t sleep, so I listen to the radio)

In real conditional sentences, we can use the present simple or present continuous in both clauses for
present situations, and the past simple or past continuous in both clauses for past situations. We can
use these in various different combinations.

Present simple + present simple

If the weather is fine, we eat outside on the terrace. (Every time this happens, this is what we do.)

Present continuous + present simple

If the kids are enjoying themselves, we just let them go on playing till they’re ready for bed. (Every
time this happens, this is what we do.)

Present continuous + present continuous

If the economy is growing by 6%, then it is growing too fast. (If it is true that the economy is growing
by 6%, then it is true that it is growing too fast.)

Past simple + past simple

If my father had a day off, we always went to see my granddad. (Every time that happened in the
past, that is what we did.)

Past simple + past continuous

Kevin always came in to say hello if he was going past our house. (Every time he was going past our
house, that is what he did.)

We can also use modal verbs in the main clause:

If we go out, we can usually get a baby sitter. (Every time we go out, it is usually possible to get a
babysitter.)

If we wanted someone to fix something, we would ask our neighbour. He was always ready to
help. (Every time we wanted someone, we would ask our neighbour.)

See also:

 Substitution

Types of conditional: summary

The table shows how the main types of conditionals relate to one another.

true likely/possible less likely/less possible impossible

real first second third

If it snows, If we had more students,

If the rent had
we get our skis If she gets the job, we would run the
been lower, I would
out. we’ll celebrate. course.
have taken the flat.
(We do this (It is possible or likely (It is less likely or unlikely
(The rent was not low
every time it she will get the job.) that we will get more
enough.)
snows.) students.)

If + should

We can use if with should to refer to events which might happen by chance or by accident:

If you should bump into Carol, can you tell her I’m looking for her? (If by chance you bump into
Carol.)

If the government should ever find itself in this situation again, it is to be hoped it would act more
quickly.

Conditional clauses with will or would

Will and would can be used in conditional clauses, either with the meaning of ‘being willing to do
something’, or to refer to later results:

If Clare will meet us at the airport, it will save us a lot of time. (if Clare is willing to meet us)

If you would all stop shouting, I will try and explain the situation!

If it will make you happy, I’ll stay at home tonight. (If it is true that you will be happy as a result, I’ll
stay at home tonight.)

We sometimes stress the will or would, especially if we doubt that the result will be the one
mentioned:

If it really would save the planet, I’d stop using my car tomorrow. (If it really is true that the planet
would be saved as a result, I would stop using my car, but I doubt it is true.)
See also:

 Conditionals in speaking

Mixed conditionals

Often, things that did or did not happen in the past have results which continue or are still important
in the present. We can emphasise this by using if with a past perfect verb, and would in the main
clause.

If I hadn’t met Charles, I wouldn’t be here now. (I met Charles so I’m here now.)

She wouldn’t still be working for us if we hadn’t given her a pay-rise. (We gave her a pay-rise so she
is still working for us now.)

Conditionals in speaking

Spoken English:

In speaking, we often use if-clauses without main clauses, especially when asking people politely to
do things. If is usually followed by will, would, can or could when it is used to be polite:

[Shop assistant to customer]

If you would just sign here, please. (a more polite way of saying Just sign here, please.)

[A is writing something for B and having difficulty]

A:

If I could have a better pen …

B:

Here, use this one.

A:

Thanks.

See also:

 If

Conditional

Conditional tenses are used to speculate about what could happen, what might have happened, and
what we wish would happen. In English, most sentences using the conditional contain the word if.
Many conditional forms in English are used in sentences that include verbs in one of the past tenses.
This usage is referred to as "the unreal past" because we use a past tense but we are not actually
referring to something that happened in the past. There are five main ways of constructing
conditional sentences in English. In all cases, these sentences are made up of an if clause and a main
clause. In many negative conditional sentences, there is an equivalent sentence construction using
"unless" instead of "if".

Test your knowledge

 Conditional Usage If clause Main clause verb tense
sentence type verb tense

Zero General truths Simple Simple present

present

Type 1 A possible condition and its Simple Simple future

probable result present

Type 2 A hypothetical condition and its Simple past Present conditional or

probable result Present continuous
conditional

Type 3 An unreal past condition and its Past perfect Perfect conditional
probable result in the past

Mixed type An unreal past condition and its Past perfect Present contditional
probable result in the present

The zero conditional

The zero conditional is used for when the time being referred to is now or always and the situation
is real and possible. The zero conditional is often used to refer to general truths. The tense in both
parts of the sentence is the simple present. In zero conditional sentences, the word "if" can usually be
replaced by the word "when" without changing the meaning.

If clause Main clause

If + simple present simple present

If this thing happens that thing happens.

If you heat ice it melts.

If it rains the grass gets wet.

Read more about how to use the zero conditional.

Type 1 conditional

The type 1 conditional is used to refer to the present or future where the situation is real. The type 1
conditional refers to a possible condition and its probable result. In these sentences the if clause is in
the simple present, and the main clause is in the simple future.
 If clause Main clause

If + simple present simple future

If this thing happens that thing will

happen.

If you don't hurry you will miss the train.

If it rains today you will get wet.

Read more about how to use the type 1 conditional.

Type 2 conditional

The type 2 conditional is used to refer to a time that is now or any time, and a situation that
is unreal. These sentences are not based on fact. The type 2 conditional is used to refer to a
hypothetical condition and its probable result. In type 2 conditional sentences, the if clause uses the
simple past, and the main clause uses the present conditional.

If clause Main clause

If + simple past present conditional or present continuous conditional

If this thing happened that thing would happen. (but I'm not sure this thing will happen) OR
that thing would be happening.

If you went to bed earlier you would not be so tired.

If it rained you would get wet.

If I spoke Italian I would be working in Italy.

Read more about how to use the type 2 conditional with the present conditional and how to use the
present continuous conditional in type 2 conditional sentence.

Type 3 conditional

The type 3 conditional is used to refer to a time that is in the past, and a situation that is contrary to
reality. The facts they are based on are the opposite of what is expressed. The type 3 conditional is
used to refer to an unreal past condition and its probable past result. In type 3 conditional sentences,
the if clause uses the past perfect, and the main clause uses the perfect conditional.
 If clause Main clause

If + past perfect perfect conditional or perfect continuous conditional

If this thing had happened that thing would have happened. (but neither of those things really
happened) OR
that thing would have been happening.

If you had studied harder you would have passed the exam.

If it had rained you would have gotten wet.

If I had accepted that I would have been working in Milan.

promotion

Read more about how to use the type 3 conditional with the perfect conditional tense, and how to
use the perfect continuous conditional in type 3 conditional sentences.

Mixed type conditional

The mixed type conditional is used to refer to a time that is in the past, and a situation that
is ongoing into the present. The facts they are based on are the opposite of what is expressed. The
mixed type conditional is used to refer to an unreal past condition and its probable result in the
present. In mixed type conditional sentences, the if clause uses the past perfect, and the main clause
uses the present conditional.

If clause Main clause

If + past perfect or simple present conditional or perfect conditional

past

If this thing had happened that thing would happen. (but this thing didn't happen so that thing
isn't happening)

If I had worked harder at I would have a better job now.

school

If we had looked at the we wouldn't be lost.

map

If you weren't afraid of you would have picked it up and put it outside.
spiders