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
Hi. I was wondering if there is any case of using "If I were _, I would have__" or is it always "If I were _, I would __"
Hello tasnim234,
Yes, it is possible to make a sentence like this. When the condition in the if-clause is something general, meaning something that is always true, and the result is something true in the past then it is possible for example:
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello , I hope you are doing well.
I ‘am very confused , I am learning conditionals , and I found that some articles and vedios said that imperative can be used in conditional zero others said it can be used in conditional first !
So the sentence :if she rings the doorbell,tell her to go away. Wich type of conditional is this ? And please can you explain why ?
Thank you in advanced , I really appreciate your help 🙏
Hello masmitich,
Please remember that what we sometimes call 'zero', 'first', 'second' and 'third' conditionals are not really rules but merely common patterns that it is useful to be familiar with. The key is understanding the meaning that is being expressed.
So-called 'zero' conditionals describe general real situations that are true in general. They do not describe single events but rather typical situations. For example:
This is a general statement. It doesn't tell you about any particular instance of being late, but rather my boss's typical response when it happens.
So-called 'first' conditionals describe specific real situations that are true in the present or future. We use this form when we are talking about a particular example of an action. For example:
The imperative gives an instruction, telling a person what to do. You can give general instructions or ones for specific situations. How you want to call these does not really matter, which is one reason why getting stuck in 'zero', 'first' etc is not a good idea. It's a useful way to think about conditionals at the start, but they are only examples rather than rules.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hello,
If I won't be a teacher I will make dresses. (talking about future)
is this sentence grammatically correct? Can we say If I will... / I f I won't...
Thank you!
Hello Timusa,
No, that is not correct. In the if-clause of a conditional like this we use a present form of the verb, so it should be 'If I am not...'. You can use 'will' or similar modal vebrs like 'might' or 'could' in the second (result) clause.
Peter
The LearnEnglish Team
Hi teacher
I have a question that why there is a " 's " in the doctor's (Grammar test 2 - 4)
Hello JohnHuynh,
In informal British English, people often say 'the doctor's' as an abbreviation of 'the doctor's practice' or 'the doctor's office'.
You could also just say something like 'I'd go to see the doctor' instead if you prefer.
Best wishes,
Kirk
LearnEnglish team
Can we use would have and could have both in one ssentence? Pls give example and eexplain where to place ccould hhave and would have in the ssentence. Eg. If we could hhave worked harder, we would have won the match. In this ssentence why we have used could have after "if" ...why not would have in place of could have is used.
Hello Shayshay,
In informal speaking sometimes people say things like 'If we could have worked harder, we would have won the match,' but really the correct way to express this idea is with a third conditional: 'If we had been able to work harder, we would have won the match'.
Although people sometimes use 'would' or 'would have' after 'if' when they speak, generally these forms are not correct after 'if' in such sentences, as is explained above and on the page I linked to earlier.
Best wishes,
Kirk
LearnEnglish team