Conditionals

conditional types

first second
zero third
zero
cond.
A high probability
main rules
This conditional is used when the result will always
happen. So, if water reaches 100 degrees, it always
boils. It's a fact. I'm talking in general, not about one
particular situation. The result of the 'if clause' is
always the main clause.
The 'if' in this conditional can usually be replaced by
'when' without changing the meaning.
 use:
■ General truths
■ Habits
■ Real world
■ Scientific facts, etc
 structure

If clause + Main clause

If + present simple ... Present simple

1. If it rains, the ground gets wet.
2. If I cry, I cough.
3. If you mix yellow and blue, you
get green.

examples:
examples:
now your
turn!
e.g: When I see his smile, my
mood gets better
first
cond.
A probability
main rules
It's used to talk about things which might happen in
the future. Of course, we can't know what will happen
in the future, but this describes possible things, which
could easily come true.

Used to talk about a possible condition and its probable

result in the future.
 use:
■ Possible plans
■ Promises
■ Warnings
■ Threats
■ Persuading someone
 structure

If clause + Main clause

If + present simple ... Future simple

1. If I move to a new apartment,
I’ll invite you to the
housewarming party.
2. I will help you, if I have time
tomorrow.
examples:
examples:
 It’s your turn!
e.g: I will pass the exam with a
high score, if I prepare for them
during the summer holidays.
second

cond.
A low probability
main rules
First, we can use it to talk about things in the future that
are probably not going to be true. Maybe I'm imagining
some dream for example.

Second, we can use it to talk about something in the

present which is impossible, because it's not true.
 use:
■ Unlikely situations
■ Hypothetical conditions
 structure

If clause + Main clause

If + past simple ... would + infinitive

1. If I won the lottery, I would buy
a big house.
2. If I had his number, I would call
him.

examples:
examples:
now it’s your
turn!
e.g: My stomach would
explode, if I ate all of the KFC
combo lunches.
third
cond.
No probability
main rules
It's used to describe a situation that didn't
happen, and to imagine the result of this
situation.
 use:
■ Past action that didn’t happen and
its probable result in the past.
 structure

If clause + Main clause

would + have + past

If + past perfect ...
participle
1. She would have become a
teacher if she had gone to
university.
2. If we had taken a taxi, we
wouldn't have missed the
plane.
examples:
examples:
your turn!
e.g: He would have passed that
test, if he had gone to bed
earlier.
 How to distinguish them

zero first
describes what happens describes a particular
in general situation
 How to distinguish them
they depend
on my point
of view!

first second
describes things that I talks about things that I
think are likely to don't think will really
happen in the future happen
 Zero Conditional Exercise

First Conditional Exercise

Second Conditional Exercise

Third Conditional Exercise

thanks!
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