English Conditionals

Introduction 🔊 Read Aloud

Conditional sentences tell us about situations and their consequences.

In English, we use these sentences to talk about things that might happen.

We also use them for things that could have happened.

And we also use them for things we wish would happen.

Zero Conditional 🔊 Read Aloud

We use the zero conditional to talk about general truths.

These are things that always happen if a condition is met.

For example, scientific facts.

Structure

• If + present simple, ... present simple.

Examples

• If you heat water to 100 degrees, it boils.
• If you don't eat, you get hungry.

First Conditional 🔊 Read Aloud

We use the first conditional for real or possible situations.

We are talking about a future situation.

We believe the condition is possible.

Structure

• If + present simple, ... will + infinitive.

Examples

• If it rains tomorrow, I will stay at home.
• If you study hard, you will pass the exam.

Second Conditional 🔊 Read Aloud

We use the second conditional for hypothetical or unlikely situations.

These are situations in the present or future.

We do not believe the condition will be met.

Structure

• If + past simple, ... would + infinitive.

Examples

• If I won the lottery, I would buy a big house.
• If I were you, I would tell the truth.

Third Conditional 🔊 Read Aloud

We use the third conditional to talk about past situations that did not happen.

We imagine a different past.

And the consequence of that different past.

Structure

• If + past perfect, ... would have + past participle.

Examples

• If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.
• If you had told me, I would have helped you.

Interactive Practice

Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb.