Before heading to the third conditional

Let’s review the previous conditionals

What are conditionals in English grammar?

Sometimes we call them 'if clauses'. They describe the result of something that
might happen (in the present or future) or might have happened but didn't (in the
past). They are made using different English verb tenses.

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.

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.

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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

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.

Here are some more examples:

• If it rains, I won't go to the park.

• 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.

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.

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 How to use
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 the stranger.

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

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

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Let’s try more.
1. If you________________(not/be) late, we ________________ (not/miss) the bus.
2. If she ________________ (study) she ________________ (pass) the exam.
3. If we ________________ (arrive) earlier, we ________________ (see) John.
4. If they ________________ (go) to bed early, they ________________ (not/wake)
up late.
5. If he ________________ (become) a musician, he ________________(record) a CD.
6. If she________________(go) to art school, she________________(become) a
painter.
7. If I________________ (be) born in a different country, I________________(learn)
to speak a different language.
8. If she________________(go) to university, she________________(study) French.
9. If we________________(not/go) to the party, we ________________(not/meet)
them.
10. If he________________(not/take) the job, he________________(go) travelling.
11. He ________________ (be) happier if he________________ (stay) at home.
12. She________________(pass) the exam if she________________(study) harder.
13. We________________ (not/get) married if we________________(not/go) to the
same university.
14. They________________(be) late if they________________(not/take) a taxi.
15. She________________(not/meet) him if she________________(not/come) to
London.
16. He________________(take) a taxi if he________________(have) enough money.
17. I________________ (call) you if I________________(not/forget) my phone.
18. We________________(come) if we________________(be) invited.
19. She________________(not/do) it if she________________(know) you were ill.
20. He________________(be) on time if he________________ (leave) earlier.

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Reference:
Hewings, M. 2008. Advance Grammar in Use. Cambridge University Press.
Dubai. 294 p.
Sara, B. and G. Mackie. 2007. Basic Grammar Expert. CTBS. China. 111 p.
Hewings, Martin. (2005). Advanced Grammar in Use. Dubai; Oriental Press
Vince, Michael. (2003). Elementary Language Practice. Malaysia; Macmillan
www.trueplookpanya.com
www.perfect-english-grammar.com

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