English Conditionals: Zero, First, Second, Third and Mixed

English Conditionals Theory

Zero Conditional

We use the zero conditional to talk about things that are generally true, especially for laws and rules.

• If I drink too much coffee, I can't sleep at night.
• Ice melts if you heat it.
• When the sun goes down, it gets dark.

Structure: if/when + present simple >> present simple.

First Conditional

We use the first conditional when we talk about future situations we believe are real or possible.

• If it doesn't rain tomorrow, we'll go to the beach.
• Arsenal will be top of the league if they win.
• When I finish work, I'll call you.

Structure: if/when + present simple >> will + infinitive.

It is also common to use this structure with unless, as long as, as soon as, or in case instead of if:

• I'll leave as soon as the babysitter arrives.
• I don't want to stay in London unless I get a well-paid job.

Second Conditional

The second conditional is used to imagine present or future situations that are impossible or unlikely in reality.

• If we had a garden, we could have a cat.
• If I won a lot of money, I'd buy a big house in the country.
• I wouldn't worry if I were you.

Structure: if + past simple >> would + infinitive.

When if is followed by the verb be, it is grammatically correct to say if I were, if he were, if she were, and if it were. However, it is also common to hear these structures with was, especially in the he/she form:

• If I were you, I wouldn't mention it.
• If she was prime minister, she would invest more money in schools.
• He would travel more if he was younger.

Third Conditional

The third conditional is used to imagine a different past. We imagine a change in a past situation and the different result of that change.

• If I had understood the instructions properly, I would have passed the exam.
• We wouldn't have got lost if my phone hadn't run out of battery.

Structure: If + past perfect >> would have + past participle.

Mixed Conditionals

We can use mixed conditionals when we imagine a past change with a result in the present or a present change with a result in the past.

1. Past/Present

Imagining how a change in a past situation would have a result in the present:

• If I hadn't got the job in Tokyo, I wouldn't be with my current partner.

Structure: If + past perfect >> would + infinitive.

2. Present/Past

Imagining how a different situation in the present would mean that the past was different as well:

• It's really important. If it wasn't, I wouldn't have called you on your holiday.

Structure: If + past simple >> would have + past participle.

Do this exercise to test your grammar again.