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How to Use First Conditional Sentences

First conditional sentences are used to express situations in which the outcome is likely (but not guaranteed) to happen in the future. Look at the examples below: -If you rest, you will feel better. -If you set your mind to a goal, you'll eventually achieve it. Note that we use the simple present tense in the if-clause and simple future tense in the main clause—that is, the clause that expresses the likely outcome. This is how we indicate that under a certain condition (as expressed in the if-clause), a specific result will likely happen in the future. Examine some of the common mistakes people make using the first conditional structure: INCORRECT >> If you will rest , you will feel better. CORRECT >> If you rest ​, you will feel better. Explanation: Use the simple present tense in the if-clause. INCORRECT >> If you set your mind to a goal, you eventually achieve it. CORRECT >> If you set your mind to a goal, you'll eventually achieve it. Explanation: Use the zero conditional (i.e., simple present + simple present) only when a certain result is guaranteed. If the result is likely, use the first conditional (i.e., simple present + simple future).

The Second Conditional

It has two uses. First, we can use it to talk about things in the future that are probably not going to be true. Maybe I'm imagining some dream for example. -If I won the lottery, I would buy a big house.(​I probably won't win the lottery) -If I met the Queen of England, I would say hello. She would travel all over the world if she were rich. -She would pass the exam if she ever studied.(​She never studies, so this won't happen) Second, we can use it to talk about something in the present which is impossible, because it's not true. Is that clear? Have a look at the examples: -If I had his number, I would call him. (I don't have his number now, so it's impossible for me to call him). -​If I were you, I wouldn't go out with that man.

The Third Conditional

It talks about the past. It's used to describe a situation that didn't happen, and to imagine the result of this situation. -If she had studied, she would have passed the exam (but, really we know she didn't study and so she didn't pass) -If I hadn't eaten so much, I wouldn't have felt sick (but I did eat a lot, and so I did feel sick). -If we had taken a taxi, we wouldn't have missed the plane -She wouldn't have been tired if she had gone to bed earlier -She would have become a teacher if she had gone to university -He would have been on time for the interview if he had left the house at nine

The First Conditional

It's used to talk about things which might happen in the future. Of course, we can't know what will happen in the future, but this describes possible things, which could easily come true. If it rains, I won't go to the park. If I study today, I'll go to the party tonight. If I have enough money, I'll buy some new shoes. She'll be late if the train is delayed. She'll miss the bus if she doesn't leave soon. If I see her, I'll tell her.

How to Use Second Conditional Sentences

Second conditional sentences are useful for expressing outcomes that are completely unrealistic or will not likely happen in the future. Consider the examples below: -If I inherited a billion dollars, I would travel to the moon. -If I owned a zoo, I might let people interact with the animals more. Notice the correct way to structure second conditional sentences is to use the simple past tense in the if-clause and an auxiliary modal verb (e.g., could, should, would, might) in the main clause (the one that expresses the unrealistic or unlikely outcome). The following sentences illustrate a couple of the common mistakes people make when using the second conditional: INCORRECT >> If I inherit a billion dollars, I would travel to the moon. CORRECT >> If I inherited a billion dollars, I would travel to the moon. Explanation: When applying the second conditional, use the simple past tense in the if-clause. INCORRECT >> If I owned a zoo, I will let people interact with the animals more. CORRECT >> If I owned a zoo, I might let people interact with the animals more. Explanation: Use a modal auxiliary verb in the main clause when using the second conditional mood to express the unlikelihood that the result will actually happen.

First vs. Zero Conditional

The first conditional describes a particular situation, whereas the zero conditional describes what happens in general. For example (zero conditional): if you sit in the sun, you get burned (here I'm talking about every time a person sits in the sun - the burning is a natural consequence of the sitting) But (first conditional): if you sit in the sun, you'll get burned (here I'm talking about what will happen today, another day might be different)

How is this different from the first conditional?

The first conditional describes things that I think are likely to happen in the future, whereas the second conditional talks about things that I don't think will really happen. It's subjective; it depends on my point of view. For example (first conditional): If she studies harder, she'll pass the exam (I think it's possible she will study harder and so she'll pass) But (second conditional): If she studied harder, she would pass the exam (I think that she won't study harder, or it's very unlikely, and so she won't pass)

The First Conditional

The first conditional has the present simple after 'if', then the future simple in the other clause: if + present simple, ... will + infinitive

The Second Conditional

The second conditional uses the past simple after if, then 'would' and the infinitive: if + past simple, ...would + infinitive (We can use 'were' instead of 'was' with 'I' and 'he/she/it'. This is mostly done in formal writing).

How to Use Third Conditional Sentences

Third conditional sentences are used to explain that present circumstances would be different if something different had happened in the past. Look at the following examples: -If you had told me you needed a ride, I would have left earlier. -If I had cleaned the house, I could have gone to the movies. These sentences express a condition that was likely enough, but did not actually happen in the past. The speaker in the first sentence was capable of leaving ear​ly, but did not. Along these same lines, the speaker in the second sentence was capable of cleaning the hous​e, but did not. These are all conditions that were likel​y, but regrettably did not happen. Note that when using the third conditional, we use the past perfect (i.e., had + past participle) in the if-clause. The modal auxiliary (would, could, shoud​​, etc.) + have + past participle in the main clause expresses the theoretical situation that could have happened. Consider these common mistakes when applying the third conditional: INCORRECT >> If you would have told me you needed a ride, I would have left earlier. CORRECT >> If you had told me you needed a ride, I would have left earlier. Explanation: With third conditional sentences, do not use a modal auxiliary verb in the if-clause. INCORRECT >> If I had cleaned the house, I could go to the movies. CORRECT >> If I had cleaned the house, I could have gone to the movies. Explanation: The third conditional mood expresses a situation that could have only happened in the past if a certain condition had been met. That's why we use the modal auxiliary verb + have + the past participle.

The Zero Conditional

This conditional is used when the result will always happen. So, if water reaches 100 degrees, it always boils. It's a fact. I'm talking in general, not about one particular situation. The result of the 'if clause' is always the main clause. The 'if' in this conditional can usually be replaced by 'when' without changing the meaning. For example: If water reaches 100 degrees, it boils. (It is always true, there can't be a different result sometimes). If I eat peanuts, I am sick. (This is true only for me, maybe, not for everyone, but it's still true that I'm sick every time I eat peanuts) Here are some more examples: -If people eat too much, they get fat. -If you touch a fire, you get burned. -People die if they don't eat. -You get water if you mix hydrogen and oxygen. -Snakes bite if they are scared -If babies are hungry, they cry

The Zero Conditional

We can make a zero conditional sentence with two present simple verbs (one in the 'if clause' and one in the 'main clause'): If + present simple, .... present simple.

The Third Conditional

We make the third conditional by using the past perfect after 'if' and then 'would have' and the past participle in the second part of the sentence: if + past perfect, ...would + have + past participle

How to Use Zero Conditional Sentences

Zero conditional sentences express general truths—situations in which one thing always causes another. When you use a zero conditional, you're talking about a general truth rather than a specific instance of something. Consider the following examples: -If you don't brush your teeth, you get cavities. -When people smoke cigarettes, their health suffers. There are a couple of things to take note of in the above sentences in which the zero conditional is used. First, when using the zero conditional, the correct tense to use in both clauses is the simple present tense. A common mistake is to use the simple future tense. INCORRECT >> When people smoke cigarettes, their health will suffer ​. Secondly, notice that the words if and when can be used interchangeably in these zero conditional sentences. This is because the outcome will always be the same, so it doesn't matter "if" or "when" it happens.