Zero Conditional, First Conditional and Second Conditional

Zero Conditional, First Conditional and Second Conditional

1. Zero Conditional

   • We use the zero conditional to talk about things that are always or generally true.
     • If I drive into town, I pay for parking.
   • We use the simple present in both the if clause and the main clause.
     • If you drive on a highway, you don´t see any traffic lights.
   • We can use when instead of if in the if clause.
     • If people use public transportation, there is less traffic.

2. First Conditional

   • We use the first conditional to talk about something that is possible in the future.
     • If you go for a walk in the park, you will feel better.
   • We use the simple present in the if clause, and we use the future with will in the main clause.
     • If Dennis moves to the city, we won´t see him very often.
   • We can use unless instead of if not in the if clause.
     • If the bus doesn´t come soon, I´ll take a taxi to the train station.
   • We can also use a modal verb (can, must, should, etc.) or the imperative instead of will in the main clause.
     • If we meet at the entrance, we can go in together.

3. Second Conditional

   • We use the second conditional to talk about something that is impossible or something that is unlikely in the present or the future.
     • If I owned the Hilton Hotel chain, I would be very rich.
   • We also use the second conditional to give advice, usually with If I were you
     • If I were you, I would make a plan.
   • We can use were instead of was in the if clause,
     • If John was/were here, I´d ask him for advice.
   • We use a simple past in the if clause, and would + a main verb in the main clause.
     • If Sally lived in the city, she wouldn´t need a car.

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