 Conditional sentences are complex sentences with two parts: a condition (starting

with if or unless) and a result, used to express possibilities or hypothetical situations.

 The zero conditional is used for universal truths or general facts. Example: If water
reaches 100°C, it boils.

 The first conditional is used for real and possible future events. Example: If you exercise
regularly, you will feel healthier.

 The second conditional is used for unlikely or hypothetical scenarios. Example: If I won a
million dollars, I would travel the world.

 The third conditional is used for unreal or hypothetical situations in the past. Example: If
they had prepared better, they would have won the match.

How do the second and third conditionals differ?

The second conditional describes unreal or unlikely situations in the present or future, whereas
the third conditional describes unreal past events.

 Second conditional: If I were rich, I would travel the world.

 Third conditional: If I had studied, I would have passed the exam.

The zero conditional is the simplest type of conditional sentence. It’s used to express facts and
general truths.

The zero conditional formula is: If + [simple present], … [simple present].

If you heat ice, it melts.

In this sentence, the condition is “If you heat ice,” and the result is “it melts.” This is a general
truth, as it’s always the case that if you heat ice, it melts.

Here are a few more examples:

If you mix blue and yellow, you get green.

If it’s a weekday, I go to work.

If you don’t eat, you get hungry.

Remember, the zero conditional is all about facts and general truths. It’s not about specific
situations or possibilities. It’s about what’s always true.

First conditional sentences: real possibilities

The first conditional is used to talk about real and possible situations in the future.

The first conditional formula is: If + [simple present], … will + [infinitive].

If it rains, I will stay home.

In this sentence, the condition is “If it rains,” and the result is “I will stay home.” This is a real
possibility: “It might rain, and if it does, I will stay home.”

Here are a few more examples:

If you study hard, you will pass the exam.

If I see her, I will say hello.

If they don’t hurry, they will miss the train.

Remember, the first conditional is all about real possibilities in the future and what might
happen. It’s not about general truths or hypothetical situations.
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Second conditional sentences: unreal or improbable situations

The second conditional is used to talk about unreal or improbable situations in the present or
future.

The second conditional formula is: If + [simple past], … would + [infinitive].

If I won the lottery, I would buy a house.

In this sentence, the condition is “If I won the lottery,” and the result is “I would buy a house.”
This is an unreal situation: “I probably won’t win the lottery, but if I did, I would buy a house.”

Here are a few more examples:

If I were you, I would take the job.

If it snowed in the Sahara, it would be a miracle.

If they knew the truth, they would be shocked.

To summarize, the second conditional is all about unreal or improbable situations. It’s not about
what will happen but what could happen in an alternate reality.

Third conditional sentences: past hypotheticals

The third conditional is used to talk about unreal situations in the past.

The third conditional formula is: If + [past perfect], … would have + [past participle].

If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.

In this sentence, the condition is “If I had studied harder,” and the result is “I would have passed
the exam.”

This unreal situation refers to something that could have but didn’t happen: ”I didn’t study hard,
and I didn’t pass the exam. But if I had studied harder (in the past), I would have passed the
exam (in the past).”

Here are a few more examples:

If she had seen the sign, she wouldn’t have parked there.
If we had left earlier, we would have caught the train.

If he hadn’t forgotten his wallet, he would have paid the bill.

Remember, the third conditional is all about unreal situations in the past. It’s not about what
did happen but what could have happened in a different past.

To connect future sentences using conditional clauses (often starting with "if"), use the first
conditional structure: "If + present simple, will + base verb" to express probable future
outcomes based on a condition.

Here's a breakdown:

 Structure:

 If clause (condition): "If" + subject + present simple verb + object/adverb

 Main clause (result): Subject + "will" + base form of the verb

 Examples:

 If it rains tomorrow, I will stay home.

 If she studies hard, she will pass the exam.

 If we don't hurry, we will miss the train.