Zero conditional
We use the zero conditional to talk about general truths or results that always
happen if a condition is present. We are talking in general, not about one
particular situation.
If milk smells bad, I don’t drink it.
If water reaches 100 degrees, it boils.
If I’ve drunk, I never drive.
If people are talking all the time, I can’t concentrate.
We can put the main clause at the beginning. Then we don’t use a comma
between the two clauses.
I never go to bed late if I have to get up early.
We can usually replace the if in this conditional with when without changing the
meaning.
Dogs can attack you when you are scared.
When the weather is bad, people don’t go shopping.
First conditional
The first conditional is used to talk about things that might happen in the future if
a condition is present. We don’t know if those things will happen or not, but they
are a real possibility.
If you study, you’ll pass.
If he doesn’t call you, tell me immediately.
If you’ve come to class, the exam is going to be easy.
If you help me, I’ll have finished by the end of the month.
We don’t use will in the if clause.
I’ll help you if you need me (NOT if you will need me)
Unless = if (not)
We can also use unless in conditional sentences to mean if … (not)
I won’t go on holiday unless I save some money. =
= I won’t go on holiday if I don’t save some money.
First vs zero conditional
We use the first conditional to talk about a particular situation, whereas we use
the zero conditional to talk about what happens in general.
If you don’t use oil, it tastes awful. (I’m talking about what happens every
time.)
If you don’t use oil, it will taste awful. (I’m talking about this particular
occasion.)
Second conditional
We use the second conditional to talk about hypothetical or imaginary situations
in the present or the future. We can use past simple or past continuous in the if-
clause and we can use would, could or might + simple infinitive (do) or
continuous infinitive (be doing) in the main clause.
If there was a fire, it would be impossible to escape.
If you weren’t making so much noise, I could concentrate.
I wouldn’t have a car if I lived in the city.
If it weren’t for him, I might not be talking to you right now.
When we use the verb be in the if-clause, we can use either was (more formal)
or were (spoken English) after I, he, she or it. But when we are giving advice, we
always use if I were you (NOT was).
If he was/were rich, he wouldn’t be living in this house.
If I were you, I’d call him as soon as possible. (NOT was)
As with all conditional types, we use a comma after the if-clause when it goes at
the beginning of the sentence, but we don’t use a comma when the if-clause
goes at the end.
If you weren’t making so much noise, I could concentrate.
I could concentrate if you weren’t making so much noise.
Third conditional
We use the third conditional to talk about hypothetical or imaginary situations in
the past. We can use the past perfect simple or past perfect continuous in the if-
clause and we can use would, could or might + the perfect infinitive in the main
clause.
If you had come to class more often, you would have passed the test.
I wouldn’t have been late if I hadn’t overslept.
He could have died if he hadn’t been wearing a helmet.
If the jacket had been a bit cheaper, I might have bought it.
