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Conditionals: Zero, First, Second, Third

This document discusses the four main types of conditionals in English: zero, first, second, and third. It provides examples and explanations of each conditional. The zero conditional describes general truths. The first conditional is used to talk about possible future events. The second conditional discusses unlikely or impossible present/future situations. The third conditional refers to past events that did not happen and their hypothetical results.

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PauLina AlejanDra VerGara BuiTrago
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120 views25 pages

Conditionals: Zero, First, Second, Third

This document discusses the four main types of conditionals in English: zero, first, second, and third. It provides examples and explanations of each conditional. The zero conditional describes general truths. The first conditional is used to talk about possible future events. The second conditional discusses unlikely or impossible present/future situations. The third conditional refers to past events that did not happen and their hypothetical results.

Uploaded by

PauLina AlejanDra VerGara BuiTrago
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Conditionals

zero, first, second, third


What is a conditional?
A conditional (or otherwise known as “if clauses”) is used
to describe the result of something that might happen (in
the present or future).

It is also used to describe something that might have


happened but didn’t (in the past).

We use different tenses to create these differences.


Zero
Conditional
Zero Conditional form

present present
if +
simple ,... simple
Zero Conditional
The zero conditional describes general truths, and the
result will always happen.

“If water reaches one hundred degrees, it boils.”

This is true, water will always boil at that temperature.

“If you add two and two, you get four.”

This is always true, it never changes. 2+2=4


Zero Conditional
In the zero conditional, the word if can be replaced with
when without changing the meaning.

“When water reaches one hundred degrees, it boils.”

“When you add two and two, you get four.”


Zero Conditional
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.


First
Conditional
First Conditional form

present
if + will + infinitive
simple ,...
First Conditional
The first conditional is used to describe things that might
happen in the future.

“If it rains, I won’t go to the park.”

In this moment, I say I won’t go if it rains, but perhaps I


may change my mind later.

“If I see her, I’ll tell her.”

I say this now, but maybe I’ll forget, or maybe I won’t see
her.
First Conditional
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.


First vs Zero Conditional
Remember, the first describes what will happen in a
particular situation. The zero describes what happens in
general.

Zero: “If you sit in the sun, you get burned.” This
describes a natural consequence of sitting in the sun.

First: “If you sit in the sun, you’ll get burned.” This
describes what will happen today, but tomorrow might be
different.
Second
Conditional
Second Conditional form

past
if + would + infinitive
simple ,...

the second conditional has two uses


Second Conditional use #1
Describes something in the future that probably won’t
happen. For instance, a dream or fantasy.

“If I won the lottery, I would buy a big house.”

It’d be nice to win, but I probably won’t win.

“She would pass the exam if she ever studied.”

She never studies, so this probably won’t happen.


Second Conditional use #1
If I met the Queen of England, I would say hello.

If I had a boyfriend, I’d be so happy.

I would go to the movies if I had time.

I would talk to more people if I wasn’t too shy.


Second Conditional use #2
Used to describe something in the present which is
impossible to do.

“If I had his number, I would call him.”

I don’t have his number, so I can’t.

“If I were you, I wouldn’t go out with that man.”

I’m not you. Only a suggestion.


Second Conditional use #2
If I had more money, I would travel the world.

I would hit you if you weren’t my brother.

I’d go swimming if the water was cooler.

If I were you, I’d leave for the train station right now.

If you were me, what would you do?


Second vs First Conditional
Remember, the first describes what will likely happen. The
second describes a situation that is unlikely to happen.

First: “If she studies harder, she’ll pass the exam.” I


think it’s possible she’ll study harder, so she will pass.

Second: “If she studied harder, she would pass the exam.” I
don’t think she’ll study harder, or it’s unlikely she’ll
study harder, so she probably won’t pass.
Third
Conditional
Third Conditional form

past would past


if + +
perfect ,... have participle
Third Conditional
The third conditional talks about the past. It describes a
situation that didn’t happen, and to imagine the result of
this situation.

“If she had studied, she would have passed the exam.”

She didn’t study, so she didn’t pass the exam.

“If we had taken a taxi, we wouldn't've missed the plane.”

We didn’t take the taxi, and now we missed the plane.


Third Conditional
If I hadn't eaten so much, I wouldn't have felt sick.

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.
RECAP of Zero, First, Second, and Third
Zero: General truths and general habits.

First: Possible or likely things in the future.

Second: Impossible things in the present / unlikely things


in the future.

Third: Things that didn’t happen in the past and their


imaginary results.

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