Types of conditionals

Types of conditionals

1. Zero

   • We can make a zero conditional sentence with two present simple verbs (one in the 'if clause' and one in the 'main clause'):
     • If + present simple, .... present simple.
       • Examples
         • If people eat too much, they get fat.
         • If you touch a fire, you get burned.
         • People die if they don't eat.
         • Snakes bite if they are scared
         • If babies are hungry, they cry

2. First

   • The first conditional has the present simple after 'if', then the future simple in the other clause:
     • if + present simple, ... will + infinitive
       • Examples
         • She'll be late if the train is delayed.
         • If I see her, I'll tell her.
         • If it rains, I won't go to the park.
         • If I have enough money, I'll buy some new shoes.
         • She'll miss the bus if she doesn't leave soon.

3. Second

   • The second conditional uses the past simple after if, then 'would' and the infinitive:
     • if + past simple, ...would + infinitive
       • Examples
         • If I met the Queen of England, I would say hello.
         • She would travel all over the world if she were rich.
         • If I won the lottery, I would buy a big house.
         • She would pass the exam if she ever studied.
         • If I were you, I wouldn't go out with that man.

4. Third

   • We make the third conditional by using the past perfect after 'if' and then 'would have' and the past participle in the second part of the sentence:
     • if + past perfect, ...would + have + past participle
       • Examples
         • She wouldn't have been tired if she had gone to bed earlier
         • He would have been on time for the interview if he had left the house at nine
         • If I hadn't eaten so much, I wouldn't have felt sick (but I did eat a lot, and so I did feel sick).
         • If we had taken a taxi, we wouldn't have missed the plane
         • She would have become a teacher if she had gone to university