Conditionals

CONDITIONALS

START

ZERO

FIRST

SECOND

THIRD

What is always true

PRESENT + PRESENT

When the sun goes down, it gets dark

If I work late, I get tired

ZERO

I get the bus if I miss the train

Future situations we believe are real or possible

PRESENT + FUTURE

If it doesn't rain tomorrow, we'll go to the beach

If you keep driving like that, you are going to have an accident

FIRST

When I finish work, I'll call you

It is also common to use this structure with unless, as long as, as soon as or in case instead of if

Hypothetical situations that are impossible or unlikely in reality

PAST + WOULD

If she was prime minister, she would invest more money in schools

If I knew the answer, I'd tell you

SECOND

If I was having a party, I wouldn't invite Paul

Hypothetical past situations

PAST PERFECT + WOULD HAVE

If she had studied, she would have passed the exam

If we had taken a taxi, we wouldn't have missed the plane

THIRD

Zero Conditional

If you _____(heat) ice, it _____(melt)

I _____ (get) the bus if I _____ (miss) the train

If the water _____ (boil), it _____ (mean) the food is nearly ready

First Conditional

I _____(buy) a new dress if I _____(have) enough money

If the weather _____(not/improve) , we _____(not/have) a picnic

If we _____(go) on holiday this summer, we _____(go) to Spain

Second Conditional

If he _____ (be) younger, he _____ (travel) more

If she _____(pass) the exam, she _____(be) able to enter university

We _____(come) to dinner if we _____(have) time

Third Conditional

If we _____(not/go) to the party, we _____(not/meet) them

He _____(be) on time if he _____(leave) earlier

If I _____(be) born in a different country, I _____(learn) to speak a different language