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Conditionals in English: zero, first, second and third .
The Zero Conditional
We use the zero conditional to talk about permanent truths, such as scientific facts, and
general habits. The structure is simple:
Here are some examples:
If you heat water to 100°, it boils.
If you eat a lot, you put on weight.
If it doesn’t rain for a long time, the earth gets very dry.
The First Conditional
We use the first conditional to talk about a realistic situation in the present or
future. The structure of the first conditional is as follows:
Here are some examples:
If you’re free later, we can go for a walk.
If they’re hungry, I’ll make some sandwiches.
If you’re not back by 5pm, give me a ring.
If he studies hard, he’ll do well in the exam.
The Second Conditional
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We use the second conditional to talk about improbable or impossible
situations in the present or future. Here is the structure:
For example:
If I had more time, I’d exercise more. (But I don’t have more time so I don’t.)
If I were rich, I’d spend all my time travelling. (But I’m not rich so I can’t.)
If she saw a snake, she’d be terrified.
If he didn’t have to work late, he could go out with his girlfriend.
The Third Conditional
We use the third conditional to talk about impossible situations, as in the
second conditional, in the past. We often use the third conditional to describe
regrets. The structure is:
Here are some examples:
If we had left earlier, we would have arrived on time.
If you hadn’t forgotten her birthday, she wouldn’t have been upset.
If they had booked earlier, they could have found better seats.
If I hadn’t learnt English, I wouldn’t have got this job
TASK 2 conditionals exercises: zero, first, second and third conditionals.
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find w ill give
1. If they (find) your bag, they (give) it back to you at once I am sure of that.
had found
2. Probably, you left your bag somewhere else. If they (find) your it,
w ould have given
they (give) it back to you at once I am sure of that.
found w ould give
3. If they (find) your bag, they (give) it back to you at once but I am not sure
that you left it there.
finds takes
4. If Mary (find) anything on the street, she always (take) it to the lost and found
office.
had not bought
5. I bought an expensive toaster yesterday. If I (not/buy) it
w ould not have spend
I (not/spend) so much money.
had not bought
6. Although, I can make very tasty breakfast now. If (not/buy) it yesterday,
w ould not be
I (not/be) able to cook tasty breakfast.
w ill try
7. I (try) out some new recipes from the book that came along with the toaster, unless
forget
I (forget) to buy all the ingredients at the store today.
buy
8. When people (buy) something new, no matter if it is a jumper, a car, or a toaster,
use
they (use) it continually for a while, and then sometimes forget about it.
had w ould go
9. If I (have) some free time, but I am extremely busy, I (go) to the shopping
center.
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arrives runs
10. When Jim (arrive) home, his dog always (run) to greet him.
