Conditional tenses

Conditional tenses

1. zero conditional

   • form
     • if + present simple (condition), present simple (result)
       • the order doesn't matter
   • use
     • when the result is always true
       • a fact
   • example
     • if you respect pect the planet, you recycle your rubbish

2. first conditional

   • form
     • if + present simple (condition), will/wont (result)
       • order can change
   • use
     • the result of probable situations
   • example
     • if we clean the oceans, the fish will live

3. second conditional

   • form
     • if + past simple (condition), would/ wouldn't (result)
       • order doesn't matter
   • use
     • the result of improbable situations
   • example
     • if the north pole melted tomorrow, your city could be under water

4. third conditional

   • form
     • if + subject + past perfect (condition), subject + past modal (result)
   • use
     • hyphotetical past situations
   • example
     • if he hadn't been late, he wouldn't have lost his job