Conditionals

Zero Conditionals
The zero conditional is a structure used
for talking about general truths -- things
which always happen under certain
conditions. Following I will explain how
the zero conditional is formed, and
when to use it.

The structure of a zero

conditional sentence
A zero conditional sentence consists of
two clauses, an "if" clause and a main
clause (note that most zero conditional
sentences will mean the same thing if
"when" is used instead of "if"):
If clause+ main clause:
If you heat water to 100 degrees, it boils.

Using the zero

conditional

The zero conditional is used to talk about things which are

always true -- scientific facts, general truths, and so on:

Example: If you cross an international date line, the time

changes.

Explanation: This always happens, every time you cross a

dateline.

If you go 10 meters under water, the pressure increases to two

atmospheres.

Explanation: This is basically always true -- the pressure of

10 meters of water equals one atmosphere.

Phosphorus burns if you expose it to air.

Explanation: This is a scientific fact -- you can test it in a
laboratory.

The First Conditional

The first conditional (also called conditional
type 1) is a structure used for talking about
possibilities in the present or in the future.
Following I will explain how the first
conditional is formed, and when to use it.

The structure of a first

sentence
A firstconditional
conditional sentence consists of
two clauses, an "if" clause and a main
clause:

if clause+ main clause:

If you study hard, you will pass the test.

Second Conditionals
The second conditional (also called
conditional type 2) is a structure
used for talking about unreal
situations in the present or in the
future. Following I will explain how
the second conditional is formed,
and when to use it.

The structure of a second conditional sentence

Like a first conditional, a second

conditional sentence consists of two
clauses, an "if" clause and a main
clause:

if clause+ main clause

If I had a million dollars, I would buy
a big house.

Using the second conditional

The second conditional is used to talk about things

which are unreal (not true or not possible) in the
present or the future -- things which don't or
won't happen :

Example:
If I were you, I would drive more carefully

in the rain. (I am not you -- this is unreal )

Paula would be sad if Jan left. (Jan will not
leave -- that's not going to happen )
If dogs had wings, they would be able to fly.
(Dogs don't have wings -- that's
impossible. )

Third Conditionals
The third conditional (also called
conditional type 3) is a structure used for
talking about unreal situations in the
past. Following I will explain how the
third conditional is formed, and when to
use it.

The structure of a third conditional sentence

Like the other conditionals, a third conditional

sentence consists of two clauses, an "if"
clause and a main clause:

if clause +main clause

If I had studied harder, I would have passed
the exam.

Explanation:

I failed the exam, because I didn't study hard

enough.

We use different verb forms in each part of a third

conditional:
if clause: if + subject + past perfect verb*
main clause :subject + would (OR could, OR
might) have + past participle
*The past perfect is formed with the auxiliary verb "had", and
the past participle (or third form) of the verb.

Note also that third conditional forms can be contracted:

Full form: If I had studied harder, I probably would have
passed the exam.
Contracted form :If I'd studied harder, I probably would've passed
the exam.

Using the third conditional

The third conditional is used to talk about

things which DID NOT HAPPEN in the
past. If your native language does not
have a similar construction, you may find
this a little strange, but it can be very
useful. It is often used to express
criticism or regret:

Example

If you had driven more carefully, you

would not have had an accident.

Criticism: You had an accident because

you didn't drive carefully enough.