Mastering English Conditional Sentences

Conditionals describe hypothetical situations and their consequences. They are essential for discussing possibilities, probabilities, and imaginary scenarios in English.

Table of Contents

1. Zero Conditional: General Truths

Used for facts, scientific truths, and situations that are always true.

Structure

If + present simple, present simple

Examples:

  • "If you heat ice, it melts."
  • "If people don't eat, they get hungry."

Usage Notes

  • Can use "when" instead of "if" with no change in meaning
  • Both clauses are in present tense
  • Often used for scientific facts and universal truths

2. First Conditional: Real Possibilities

Used for real and possible situations in the future.

Structure

If + present simple, will + base verb

Examples:

  • "If it rains tomorrow, we will cancel the picnic."
  • "If you study hard, you will pass the exam."

Variations

Variation Example
With modal verbs "If you finish early, you can leave"
With imperative "If you see him, tell him to call me"

3. Second Conditional: Unreal Present/Future

Used for hypothetical, unlikely or impossible present or future situations.

Structure

If + past simple, would + base verb

Examples:

  • "If I won the lottery, I would buy a mansion."
  • "If she knew the answer, she would tell us."

Special Cases

  • Use "were" for all subjects with "to be"
    "If I were you, I would accept the offer"
  • Often used to give advice
  • Expresses unlikely or imaginary situations

4. Third Conditional: Unreal Past

Used for hypothetical situations in the past that cannot be changed.

Structure

If + past perfect, would have + past participle

Examples:

  • "If you had studied harder, you would have passed the test."
  • "If we had left earlier, we would have caught the train."

Usage Notes

  • Expresses regret about past actions
  • Describes situations that cannot be changed
  • Often used for criticism or reflection

5. Mixed Conditionals

Combine elements of different conditionals to show time relationships.

Common Mixed Types

Type Structure Example
Past → Present If + past perfect, would + base verb "If I had studied medicine, I would be a doctor now"
Present → Past If + past simple, would have + past participle "If I were smarter, I would have invested in that company"

When to Use

  • When the time in the if-clause is different from the result
  • To show how past actions affect present situations
  • To express hypothetical present qualities affecting past outcomes

6. Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Identify the Conditional Type

  1. "If water reaches 100°C, it boils"
    Zero conditional
  2. "If I had known, I would have helped"
    Third conditional

Exercise 2: Complete the Sentences

  1. If I (have) more time, I (learn) to play the piano
    had, would learn
  2. If you (not/remind) me, I (forget) about the meeting
    hadn't reminded, would have forgotten

Exercise 3: Correct the Errors

  1. "If I will see him, I will tell him"
    If I see him, I will tell him
  2. "If you would have called, I would have picked you up"
    If you had called, I would have picked you up

7. Conditionals FAQ

  • Q: Can we use other modals instead of 'will/would'?
    A: Yes! You can use might/could/should depending on the meaning: "If it rains, we might stay home"
  • Q: Is "If I was" ever correct?
    A: In informal speech, but "If I were" is grammatically correct for hypothetical situations
  • Q: Can we reverse the order of clauses?
    A: Yes: "I would travel more if I had money" = "If I had money, I would travel more"
  • Q: How do we punctuate conditionals?
    A: Use a comma when the if-clause comes first. No comma when it comes second