Conditionals

Types

• Zero conditional (always happens)
• 1st conditional (likely to happen)
• 2nd conditional (imagining something for the present)
• 3rd conditional (imagining something for the past)

Zero conditional

• Probability: Always happens
• Used for: Stating facts or commands
• Structure: If + present tense + present tense OR present tense + if + present tense

Example sentences:

• If you leave water below zero degrees, it freezes.
• Water freezes if you leave it below zero degrees.
• If you go, take this with you.
• If I have chocolates in the house, I eat them immediately.
• When I go to the gym, I tend to buy a smoothie afterward.

1st conditional

• Probability: Likely to happen.
• Used for: Promises or warnings.
• Structure: If + present tense + will OR will + if + present tense

Example sentences:

• If you don't eat all your peas, you will not get any pudding.
• You will get pudding if you finish all your food.

2nd conditional

• Probability: Likely to happen.
• Used for: Promises or warnings.
• Structure: If + present tense + will OR will + if + present tense

3rd conditional

• Probability: Likely to happen.
• Used for: Promises or warnings.
• Structure: If + present tense + will OR will + if + present tense