Conditionals: an infographic

Grammar reference

Conditionals

zero conditional

Used to talk about situations that are generally or always true

first conditional

Used to talk about possible and probable situations in the future and their consequences

second conditional

Used to talk about imaginary or improbable situations (present or future) and their consequences

Info

third conditional

Used to talk about imaginary or impossible (because they already happened) situations in the past and their consequences

other conditional structures

mixed conditionals

Mixture of second and third conditional

If + past simple..., would/wouldn't + infinitive

• If I had beard, I'd look older
• If I won the lottery, I would travel the world.
• If I were you, I would study this lesson.
• If she spoke French, she would move to Paris.

If + present simple..., present simple

• If you don't put sun cream on, you get burnt.
• If you don't water plants, they die.
• If I get sick, I go to the doctor.
• If it rains, the ground gets wet.

If + past perfect..., would/wouldn't have + past participle

• If I had studied, I would have passed the exam.
• If I had known, I wouldn't have asked you!
• If she had been honest with you, would you have forgiven her?
• If I had got a gold medal, I would have been happy.

Imaginary present situation and its past consequence

If + past simple,..would/wouldn't have + past participle

If + past perfect,.. would/wouldn't + infinitive

VS

Imaginary past situation and its present consequence

• If I liked that band, I would have gone to see them in concert.
• If I knew how to drive, I would have taken the car to work.
• If they were more organised, they wouldn't have missed the flight.

• If I had had breakfast, I wouldn't be hungry now.
• If we had taken the other route, we wouldn't be stuck in traffic now.
• If he had saved more money, he would have his own house now.

If + present simple..., will + infinitive

• If you don't leave, I'll call the police.
• If he doesn't study, he won't pass.
• If I have time, I'll call you later.
• If they don't hurry, they will miss the train