Conditionals

conditionals

Conditional sentences have two clauses: the condition and the result

Zero conditional

Form

If + present simple, present simple

• The order can be inverted

I feel bad if I don't help people in need

• We can replace if with when

When I don't help people in need, I feel bad

Use

To talk about things that are generally or always true.If I don't help people in need, I feel bad.If you mix yellow and blue, you get green.

First conditional

Alternative words for if

Form

If + present simple, future simple OR future simple + if + present simple

• In the first conditional, if can be replaced by such as as/as long as, and on condition that. They are more formal than if.

I'll lend you my book as long as you give it back to me.She'll tell you what happened on condition that you don't tell anyone else.

• Unless means if not

She'll make the cake tonight if she isn't tired / She'll make the cake tonight unless she is tired.

Use

To talk about situations that are possible in the future.If I pass my exams, I will volunteer in a charity shop before I go to university.We will show you how to install that program if you don't know how to do it.

Second conditional

Form

If + past simple, would + verb ORwould + verb + if + past simple

Use

To talk about unreal or hypothetical situations.

• If they had more money, they would buy more equipment for the shelter.
• They would raise more money if they used a social media site to advertise their work.

Third conditional

Form

If + past perfect, would have + past participle ORwould have + past participle + if + past perfect

Use

To talk about things in the past that did (not) happen and what would've happened if we had done something different.

• If we had had more volunteers, we wouldn't have had to stay so late.
• Emma would have helped at the marathon if we had told her on time.