Conditional Sentences in English

Conditional sentences, also known as “if” sentences, express that one action or situation depends on another. They typically have two clauses: the “if” clause (condition) and the main clause (result). There are four main types of conditionals, each serving a different purpose and following distinct grammatical patterns.

1. Zero Conditional (Type 0)

The zero conditional is used for general truths, scientific facts, and things that are always true. It follows the pattern:

• If + present simple, present simple

Examples:

• If you heat water to 100°C, it boils.
• If it rains, the grass gets wet.
• If you mix red and blue, you get purple.
• If you touch a flame, it burns.

2. First Conditional (Type 1)

The first conditional is used for real and possible situations in the future. It follows the pattern:

• If + present simple, will + base verb

Examples:

• If it rains tomorrow, we will cancel the picnic.
• If you study hard, you will pass the exam.
• If she calls, I will answer.
• If they finish the project on time, they will receive a bonus.

3. Second Conditional (Type 2)

The second conditional is used for unreal or improbable situations in the present or future. It follows the pattern:

• If + past simple, would + base verb

Examples:

• If I won the lottery, I would travel around the world.
• If she were here, she would help us.
• If I had a million dollars, I would buy a house.
• If he spoke French, he would work in Paris.

4. Third Conditional (Type 3)

The third conditional is used for unreal situations in the past, things that did not happen. It follows the pattern:

• If + past perfect, would have + past participle

Examples:

• If I had known about the meeting, I would have attended.
• If they had left earlier, they would have caught the train.
• If she had studied harder, she would have passed the exam.
• If we had taken a taxi, we would have arrived on time.

Examples:

• If she had studied harder (past), she would be successful now (present).
• If I were you (present), I would have apologized by now (past).
• If he were more careful (present), he would not have made that mistake (past).
• If they had saved more money (past), they would be traveling now (present).

Conditional Type	If Clause	Main Clause	Example
Zero Conditional	If + present simple	present simple	If you heat ice, it melts.
First Conditional	If + present simple	will + base verb	If you call me, I will come.
Second Conditional	If + past simple	would + base verb	If I had a car, I would drive to work.
Third Conditional	If + past perfect	would have + past participle	If they had asked, I would have helped.