First, Second and Third Conditional

First, Second and Third Conditional

1. FIRST CONDITIONAL

   • We use the first conditional to talk about the consequences of something which may possibly happen in the future. Note that we use a present tense in the IF-clause, and a future tense in the main clause:
     • - If you transfer your money to a deposit account, you'II earn more interest. - I'll give you a five per cent discount if you pay by cash.

2. SECOND CONDITIONAL

   • We use the second conditional to talk about something which we think is unlikely to happen, or to refer to an imaginary situation. Note that we use a past tense in the IF-clause, and would + infinitive in the main clause:
     • - What would you do if you lost your credit card? - If I had more money, I'd invest it on the Stock Exchange.
     • were instead of was
       • When the verb to be is used in the IF-clause, we sometimes use were instead of was, especially after personal pronoun /
         • - If I weren't so tired after working so hard, I would help you.
           • giving someone advice
             • f I were you, I would take traveller's cheques rather than cash.

3. THIRD CONDITIONAL

   • We use the third conditional to talk about actions or events which did not happen in the past, but which could have happened. Note that we use the past perfect tense in the IF-clause, and would have + past participle in the main clause:
     • - If you had bought shares in Nokros, you would have made a lot of money. - The employees would not have gone on strike if the company had improved their pension schemes