Conditionals: zero, first and second

Conditionals: zero, first and second

Do you know how to use the zero, first and second conditionals? Test what you know with interactive exercises and read the explanation to help you.

Look at these examples to see how zero, first and second conditionals are used.

If you freeze water, it becomes solid.
If it rains tomorrow, I'll take the car.
If I lived closer to the cinema, I would go more often.

Try this exercise to test your grammar.

Grammar test 1

Conditionals 1: Grammar test 1

Read the explanation to learn more.

Grammar explanation

Conditionals describe the result of a certain condition. The if clause tells you the condition (If you study hard) and the main clause tells you the result (you will pass your exams). The order of the clauses does not change the meaning.

If you study hard, you will pass your exams.
You will pass your exams if you study hard.

Conditional sentences are often divided into different types.

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.

The structure is: 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.

In first conditional sentences, the structure is usually: 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.
I'll give you a key in case I'm not at home.
You can go to the party, as long as you're back by midnight.

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.

The structure is usually: 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.

Do this exercise to test your grammar again.

Grammar test 2

Conditionals 1: Grammar test 2

Language level

Average: 4.1 (414 votes)

Submitted by beckysyto on Sun, 20/06/2021 - 09:52

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Hi Which of the following sentences are correct? (1) I could go into a chocolate factory and eat a lot of chocolate if no one WAS able to see me. (2) I could go into a chocolate factory and eat a lot of chocolate if no one WERE able to see me. If subjunctive verbs are used, should indefinite pronouns go with "was" or "were"? Why? Thanks a lot.
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Submitted by Kirk Moore on Sun, 20/06/2021 - 14:57

In reply to by beckysyto

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Hello beckysyto,

Both of the sentences are correct. We use singular verb forms with 'no one', but 'were' is still correct here for a different reason.

In older English, the only correct verb form here was a past subjunctive, and the past subjunctive of 'be' is 'were'. We still use this old form in a few structures (such as the second conditional), and that is why 'were' is also considered correct here.

As I'm sure you've noticed, 'was' is also accepted as correct -- it acts as a kind of modern subjunctive in a way.

Does that make sense?

All the best,

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

 

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Submitted by Ahmed Imam on Wed, 09/06/2021 - 11:47

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Hello. Is the following sentence correct? If not, why. Fast food is great unless you eat too much of it. Thank you.

Hello Ahmed Imam,

Yes, that sentence is fine. You could also say '...as long as you don't eat too much...' with the same meaning.

 

Peter

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by lean on Sat, 22/05/2021 - 10:33

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Hello :-) I saw you use (have to use) present simple too in main clause, if you use "unless", "as long as", "as soon as" or "in case" instead of if for the first conditional. If I were you, I'd correct the common rule for the first conditional (if/when + present simple >> will + infinitive. ) :-))))))))))))))))))))) Best regards
Profile picture for user Kirk Moore

Submitted by Kirk Moore on Sat, 22/05/2021 - 14:34

In reply to by lean

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Hello lean,

Thanks for your suggestion. We actually considered that, but decided to try to keep the page simple and so did not include that information. 

Thanks again!

Best wishes,

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

Submitted by Ayn on Mon, 15/03/2021 - 06:12

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A)Unless people stick to their diets, they will face obesity problems more than ever. B)Unless people stick to their diets, they face obesity problems more than ever. Which looks correct?

Hello Ayn,

I would recommend that you not use 'unless' here. 'unless' means something like 'if ... not', but only when it expresses an idea like 'except if'. If we reword the sentence as 'Except if people stick to their diets ...', it seems awkward.

In comparison, 'If people do not stick to their diets' seems more straightforward to me, and in this case you could say 'they face' to refer to a generally-known fact or 'they will face' to make a prediction.

I'd recommend you have a look at this Cambridge Grammar page on Unless, which has lots of useful example sentences.

Hope this helps.

All the best,

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team

Since I'm predicting they will face obesity more than ever, should I use first conditional?

Hello Ayn,

Yes, the first conditional would be better if you are making a prediction.

All the best,

Kirk

The LearnEnglish Team