Conditionals
Conditionals are sentences expressing factual implications or hypothetical situations and their consequences.
Why we use them?
We use conditionals to discuss results of possible events or hypothetical situations.
When to use them?
Use conditionals to talk about real or imagined situations and their outcomes.
Zero Conditional
Used for general truths, scientific facts, or situations that are always true. - Key Words: "if," "when"
Structure: If + Present Simple, Present Simple
Examples:
If you freeze water, it turns to ice.
If you don’t water plants, they die.
If it rains, the ground gets wet.
If you mix red and blue, you get purple.
If you press the button, the machine starts.
Here are five sentences using "when" in the zero conditional:
When you heat water to 100°C, it boils.
When the sun sets, it gets dark.
When you mix red and blue, you get purple.
When you press this button, the machine starts.
When you don't water plants, they die.
First Conditional
Used for real or possible situations in the future. - Key Words: "if," "unless"
Structure: If + Present Simple, will + base verb
Examples:
If it rains tomorrow, I will stay home.
If you study hard, you will pass the exam.
If she arrives on time, we will start the meeting.
If they offer me the job, I will accept it.
If you don't hurry, you will miss the train.
You will miss the bus unless you hurry.
Unless it rains, we will go to the park.
She won’t pass the exam unless she studies hard.
We won’t start the meeting unless everyone is here.
Unless you call me, I won’t know when to pick you up.
Second Conditional
Used for hypothetical or unlikely situations in the present or future. - Key Words: "if," "were"
Structure: If + Past Simple, would + base verb
Examples:
If I had a million dollars, I would travel the world.
If I were you, I would apologize.
If she knew his address, she would send him a letter.
If we had a car, we would drive to the beach.
If they lived closer, we would visit them more often.
If I were you, I would take that job offer.
If she were here, she would know what to do.
If it were my decision, I would choose the red one.
If they were rich, they would travel the world.
If he were more confident, he would apply for the promotion.
Third Conditional
Used for hypothetical situations in the past that did not happen. - Key Words: "if," "had"
Structure: If + Past Perfect, would have + past participle
Examples:
If I had known about the party, I would have attended.
If they had studied harder, they would have passed the exam.
If she had left earlier, she would have caught the train.
If we had taken a taxi, we would have arrived on time.
If he had asked for help, I would have helped him.
Mixed Conditional
Mixed conditionals are used when the time in the "if" clause and the main clause are different. It often combines elements of the second and third conditionals. - Key Words: "if," "had"
Structure: If + Past Perfect, would + base verb (for a past condition affecting the present)
Examples:
If I had studied harder, I would have a better job now. (Past condition, present result)
If she had taken the job, she would be living in New York. (Past condition, present result)
If he hadn’t missed the flight, he would be here with us now. (Past condition, present result)
If they had saved money, they would be traveling now. (Past condition, present result)
If I were rich, I would have bought that car last year. (Present condition, past result)
