There are 4 types of conditionals that are used to describe different hypothetical situations. The zero conditional uses the present simple to describe events that always happen under certain conditions. The first conditional uses the present simple and will/can to describe possible future events. The second conditional uses the past simple and would/could to describe unlikely present or future situations. The third conditional uses the past perfect and would/could to describe unreal past situations.

1. CONDITIONALS
They are subordinate clauses. They are normally linked by “if”.
If the first condition happens, the second one is likely to
happen too. THERE ARE 4 TYPES OF CONDITIONALS
0 CONDITIONAL = If + present simple, present simple
We use the Zero conditional to show that one action always follows another. We often use “when”
or “if”.
- If/ when water freezes, it turns to ice.
- When I travel by boat, I’m always sick
1ST CONDITIONAL = If + present simple, will/can + infinitive
We use the first conditional to talk about events which are possible. The Conditional clause can
refer to the present or the future.
- If it rains, we will stay at home.
Other structures are possible, depending on what you want to say:
- Paul will bring you a sweater (just) in case it gets cold
- Provided/ing (that) you rest, you’ll make a full recovery
- They’ll be safe as long as they don’t move
- Unless you leave now, you’ll be late (unless = if not)
2ND CONDITIONAL = If + past simple, would/ could/ might + infinitive
We use the second conditionals for unlikely situations in the present or future:
- If I had enough money, I’d retire
- I would study more if I were you
In the second and third conditionals, we can use were instead of was with any subject.
We use the third conditional to talk about a situation that did not happen in the past.
- If I hadn’t become a teacher, I would have liked to be an actor
3RD CONDITIONAL = If + past perfect, would/ could/ might + present perfect