1. ZERO CONDITIONAL
The zero conditional sentences refer to “all time”, not just the present or future. They express a situation that is
always true. IF means WHEN or WHENEVER.
Example: If you spend over £20 pounds at that supermarket, you get a 5% discount.
IF CLAUSE + MAIN CLAUSE
If you heat water, it boils.
Simple Present Simple Present
Examples: If you press this switch, the computer comes on.
If you don’t respect the law, you’re sent to prison.
FIRST CONDITIONAL
The first conditional expresses a possible condition and a probable result.
Example: If we hurry, we’ll catch the bus.
IF CLAUSE + MAIN CLAUSE
If we hurry, we’ll catch the bus.
Simple Present Future
(Present Continuous)
(Present Perfect)
The main clause often has will, but we can use other modal verbs.
Examples: If you haven’t got a television, you can’t watch the football match.
If John is going to a job interview, he should wear a tie.
If Henry jogs regularly, he might lose weight.
SECOND CONDITIONAL
The second conditional expresses an unreal or improbable condition and its probable result.
Example: If I ate a cake, I’d get fat.
IF CLAUSE + MAIN CLAUSE
If I ate a cake, I’d get fat.
Simple Past Would
(Past Continuous)
The main clause often has would, but we can also use could or might.
THIRD CONDITIONAL
The third conditional is “the conditional of regret”. We use it to talk about things in the past happening
differently from the way they really happened. This sometimes means criticizing people or pointing out mistakes.
Example: If I had phoned her that day, we would have still been together.
IF CLAUSE + MAIN CLAUSE
If I had called her that day we would have still been together.
Past Perfect Would have
(might have/could have)
The main clause often has would have. We can also use could have, might have.
