A conditional* is a sentence, often starting with “if” or “unless,” in which one half expresses something which depends on the other half. Apart from “if” and “unless,” we can use the following conjunctions to start a conditional:

• when (when it means the same as “if”)
• in case (more formal than “if”)
• provided (that) (more formal than “if”)
• as long as

*Note that a conditional is not the same as a condition. A condition is an arrangement that must exist before something else can happen. For example, “One of the conditions in the contract is that we don’t build on the land.” A conditional, on the other hand, is a specialized linguistic term that describes a type of sentence.

There are a few types of conditionals: zero, first, second, third, and mixed. In this post, we’ll look at the first 3 types, analyzing what they mean, how they are formed, and practicing using them. Make sure you subscribe to this blog to not miss future articles about the other types of conditionals. And now, without further ado, let’s dive into the topic of 0, 1st, and 2nd conditionals.

Zero Conditionals in the Present

Meaning: One action, result, etc. always follows another.

Form: If* + Present Simple, Present Simple

*We often use “when” instead of :if” in zero conditionals. For example: When water freezes, it turns to ice.

Other examples:

1. If the weather is fine, we always eat in the garden.
2. When the weather isn’t fine, our dog doesn’t like to go out.
3. You pay a lot for gas if you have a big car.*

*Note that the if-clause or the result clause can come first. We use a comma when the if-clause comes first.

Zero Conditionals in the Past

Meaning: Facts and situations that always happened and were always true in the past.

Form: If + Past Simple, Past Simple

Examples:

1. When I was a child, if I misbehaved, I didn’t get candy or pocket money.
2. My mother didn’t lose her temper if I didn’t listen to her.
3. My teachers were strict with us when we did something wrong.

First Conditionals

Meaning: Something is possible in the future, and we are confident about our predictions.

Form: If + Present Simple, Future Simple

Examples:

1. If it rains, we will stay at home.
2. You will fail if you don’t try harder.
3. If they don’t leave right now, they’ll miss the train.

Other structures are possible, depending on what you want to say:

1. If + Present Simple, modal verb: If you behave yourself, you can come.
2. If + Present Simple, be going to: If you don’t find a job, you are going to be in trouble.
3. If + Present Simple, imperative: If you need anything, just let me know.
4. If + Present Continuous, Future Simple: If we’re leaving soon, I’ll get my coat.
5. If + Present Perfect, Future Simple: If I’ve finished, I’ll be able to come.
6. If + Present Perfect, modal verb: If you’ve finished, you can go out.

Unless

We can use “unless” to mean “if…not.” A clause with “unless” usually comes second. For example:

1. They’ll miss the train unless they leave right now.
2. You can’t get a job unless you have experience.
3. Unless you call me to say you’re not coming, I’ll see you at the theatre.

Second Conditionals

Meaning: Something is unlikely in the present or in the future.

Form: If + Past Simple, would** + V

Examples:

1. If I had enough money, I’d retire.
2. If Jane was* here, she would help us.
3. The world would be boring if there were no animals.

*If the if-clause of second conditionals, we can use “were” with I, he, she and it. For example:

1. If I were you, I would feel the same. (In the expression “if I were you,” we always use “were: and not “was.”)
2. If Jane were here, she would help us.

**Instead of “would,” we can use other modal verbs. For example:

1. If I lost my job, I might go abroad for a while.
2. If the weather was fine, we could go to the zoo.

Bottom Line

We can use both first and second conditionals to talk about the future. The difference is how likely the situations are, and how certain we feel about our predictions. Compare:

1. If Sarah passes her exam tomorrow, I’ll be very pleased. (Meaning: I’m quite confident she will pass her exam; it’s very likely.)
2. If Sarah passed her exam tomorrow, I would be very pleased. (Meaning: It’s hypothetical and unlikely.)

When choosing between the first and second conditional, remember that second conditionals are sometimes more polite than first ones. For example:

1. If you offered me the job, I would accept it. (This sounds more polite than “If you offer me the job, I will accept it.)
2. If you helped me cook dinner, I’d be very grateful. (This is a little more polite than “If you help me cook dinner, I’ll be very grateful” and much more polite than “Help me cook dinner.”)

Practice

Exercise 1. Re-write the sentences about changes of behavior using “unless” and making any necessary changes.

1. If I don’t lose weight, I’ll have to buy new clothes.
2. If you stop buying things you don’t need, you’ll be able to afford a vacation.
3. If her cold isn’t better, she won’t go to school tomorrow.
4. If she studies hard, she’ll pass the test.
5. If you don’t listen, you won’t know what to do.

Answer key 🔑

1. Unless I lose weight, I’ll have to buy new clothes.
2. Unless you stop buying things you don’t need, you won’t be able to afford a vacation.
3. Unless her cold gets better, she won’t go to school tomorrow.
4. Unless she studies hard, she won’t pass the test.
5. Unless you listen, you won’t know what to do.

Exercise 2. Look at the first conditionals below. Do they refer to a probable future event, or an unlikely situation? If they refer to an unlikely situation, change them to second conditionals.

1. If I win the lottery, I’ll stop working and buy a yacht.
2. I’ll put some gas in the car if I go out this afternoon.
3. Susie will live in Beverly Hills if she can live anywhere in the world.
4. If I get home from work early, I’ll take the dog for a walk.
5. If James rings, I’ll tell him you’re not here.
6. If Beyonce rings, I’ll be too shocked to speak.
7. If I have a million dollars, I’ll buy a sports car.
8. If it rains tomorrow, I’ll take an umbrella.

Answer key 🔑

1. If I won the lottery, I’d stop working and buy a yacht.
2. probably future event
3. Susie would live in Beverly Hills if she could live anywhere int he world.
4. probably future event
5. probably future event
6. If Beyonce rang, I’d be too shocked to speak.
7. If I had a million dollars, I’d buy a sports car.
8. probably future event

Exercise 3. Click the link here and complete the dialog with the best alternative in each case.

Would you like to practice some more? Answer the question below in the comments to receive feedback on your grammar. Make sure you use zero, first and/or second conditionals in your answer.

Question: If you could do anything, what job would you like to do?