Zero Conditional
Meaning:
We use the zero conditional to talk about general truths, facts, or things that always happen when a condition is met.
Pattern:
If + present simple, present simple
Examples:
If you heat water to 100°C, it boils. (condition = heat water, result = it boils)
If it rains, the ground gets wet.
If people don’t eat, they get hungry.
If the sun sets, it gets dark.
If you touch fire, it burns.
First Conditional
Meaning:
We use the first conditional to talk about real or possible situations in the future and their likely results.
Pattern:
If + present simple, will + base verb
Examples:
If it rains tomorrow, we will cancel the trip.
If I study hard, I will pass the exam.
If she calls me, I will answer.
If they arrive late, they will miss the bus.
If we don’t hurry, we will be late.
Second Conditional
Meaning:
We use the second conditional to talk about unreal or imaginary situations in the present or future.
Pattern:
If + past simple, would + base verb
Examples:
If I won the lottery, I would buy a house.
If she were taller, she would join the basketball team.
If it rained now, we would stay inside.
If I had a car, I would drive to work.
If we lived near the beach, we would swim every day.
Third Conditional
Meaning:
We use the third conditional to talk about imaginary situations in the past—things that didn’t happen.
Pattern:
If + had + past participle, would have + past participle
Examples:
If I had studied, I would have passed the test.
If they had left earlier, they would have caught the train.
If she had told me, I would have helped.
If we had prepared, we would have succeeded.
If he had listened, he wouldn’t have made a mistake.
Mixed Conditional
Meaning:
We use mixed conditionals to connect a past condition with a present result, or a present condition with a past result. The most common type is past condition + present result.
Pattern:
If + had + past participle, would + base verb
Examples:
If I had taken that job, I would be rich now.
If she had studied medicine, she would be a doctor today.
If we had moved to Canada, we would live in a colder place.
If he had married her, he would be happier now.
If you had listened to me, you wouldn’t be in trouble now.
3rd and Mixed conditionals Quiz!
