Conditionals: zero, first and second
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
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
Hello User_1,
This is true. However there is a difference between I'm a dragon fantasy and If I were 12, I wouldn't be... hypothesising. The latter is something children don't do at this stage of development.
This is not a question about language. It's about children's neurological and psychological development and I'm just not an expert in this field.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Thanks for your response.
In this case: "I'm a dragon fantasy" they could say:
"If I was a dragon, I wouldn't scared of dark" for example?
I am asking for help for a task.
Thank you
Hello again User_1,
As I said, children don't have this kind of hypothetical thinking ability until they are 11 or 12. They just don't think in abstract terms of the kind you're describing at younger ages.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Thank you
Hi
For the structure use of unless, as long as, as soon as or in case instead of if. Does it also common to use in zero and second conditions?
Hello Nour Shekho,
Unless is very rare in conditionals expressing general truths. It is possible but if...not is much more common.
As long as, as soon as and in case can all be used. For example:
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello sir,
I wrote the conditional sentences below by using all my understanding in this lesson. Would you please correct me if I were wrong?
Regards,
Benny
Hello Nyan Htoo Pai,
Most of these are good. Only the last one needs changing. In this sentence you are describing a past situation which is not real (imaginary), so you should use the past perfect in the if-clause:
If it had not rained yesterday, I would play football.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello,
As for the second conditional and the structure used to talk about hypothetical situations:
if + past simple >> + would + infinitive.
In some stories, I have found a similar construction:
Instead of "If I won the lottery, I would travel around the world", this sentence "If I were to win the lottery, I would travel around the world."
This makes me confused. Could you please explain it?
Thank you
Hello User_1,
Certain types of if-clauses in conditional structure can be inverted in this way to create a more formal version. Three are most common:
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team