Zero conditional,

First conditional,
Second conditional,
Third conditional&Mixed conditionals

MENTOR:PROF. LUMTURIJE BAJRAMI

Punoi:Luisa Residi
 When and how to use the Zero Conditional

The zero conditional (hypothetical period of type zero) is the simplest conditional sentence (with
'if') that can be found in English, but it is still useful and important to know it well.
The hypothetical period describes possible situations that require a condition, expressed with
'if'. This means that the performance of an action will be followed by another action.
For example:
•If students study hard, they learn quickly.
The part of the sentence containing 'if' - the hypothetical subordinate - may or may not occur,
while the other part is certain.
The zero conditional is used to express:
•generic habits
•For example:
•permanent facts / truths
•If I'm tired, I go to bed early. (action that I usually perform)
•If you heat water to 100 ° C, it boils. (scientific truth)

In both cases the time referred to is generic, neither present nor future.

The structure of the zero conditional is:

If + present simple, present simple. The two propositions can also be reversed:

•If you put food into the freezer, it freezes. Present simple if + present simple.
Food freezes if you put it into the
freezer.

Important: the zero conditional cannot be used in reference to a particular time, for example the past or
the future, but only to generic facts.
Other examples:

•If I have a lot of work, I stay in the office until late.

•If we have time, we go to the park for a walk.

•Teachers get angry if students don't do their homework.

•If it’s very cold during the night, there’s ice on cars.

•You put on weight if you eat too much.

•If I get a headache, I take a painkiller.

•They have a drink together if they win a match.

•If you take ice out of the freezer, it melts.

•If you don't water a flower, it dies.

In the previous sentences, it is possible to replace 'if' with 'when'

in cases where you are sure of the truthfulness of a situation.

For example:

•When I have a lot of work, I stay in the office until late.

 When and how to use the First Conditional

The first conditional is one of the four types of hypothetical sentences in English and is probably
also the most common.
The first conditional is used to talk about the future consequences of an event that can realistically
occur, now or in the future.
For example:
•If I miss the train, I'll take the next one.
The possibility that the first part of this sentence (the action that follows 'if') occurs is equal to
50%. If so, the second part will be 100% certain.

The structure of the first conditional is: As in all other types of hypothetical period
the structure can be reversed:
If + present simple, will / won’t + verb.
Will + verb if + present simple.
•If I pass this exam, I'll celebrate.
•If I pass this exam, I won’t have to do it again. •I'll celebrate if I pass this exam.
•I won’t have to do this exam again if I
pass it.

As an alternative to will, it is possible to complete the second part of a sentence in the first
conditional using a modal verb or an imperative. For example:

•If it rains, we can't play tennis.

•If it rains, we must postpone our game.

I m po r ta n t: in th e f irst c o n ditio n a l, will a n d if a re n eve r clo se. Will

will only be pre se nt in the othe r pa r t of the se nte nc e.
For example:

•We’ll be pleased if the client accepts our offer.

NOT

• We’ll be pleased if the client will accept our offer.

 Other examples with the first conditional:

•If you practice frequently, you’ll learn quickly.

•If we don't win today, we'll be out of the competition.

•Your teacher can help if you don't understand something.

•Call me if you're late.

•If she does well in this interview, she'll get the job.

•If you're hungry, help yourself to whatever you want.

•We won’t miss the plane if we hurry.

•Our boss will be really pleased if we get this contract.

As you have seen, the first conditional is used in many situations, from work to everyday life, and it
is certainly important to learn and put it into practice.
 When and how to use the Second Conditional
Second conditional (hypothetical period of 2nd type) is used to describe the consequences of
an unrealistic situation or action in the present or in the future. The situation can be:
•Highly unlikely (1-5% probability)
•Totally unrealistic (0% probability)
For example:
•If I won the lottery, I would travel around the world.
The probability that the first part of the sentence ('winning the lottery') occurs is extremely low
(1%). If, on the other hand, this event does happen, then the second part would be 100% certain.
•If I had more free time, I would play more sport.
I don't have much free time (0%), but if I had the second part it would be 100% certain.

The structure of the second conditional is: As in all other types of hypothetical period,
the structure can be reversed:
If + past simple, would / wouldn’t + verb. Would + verb + if + past simple.
•If I lived in a big city, I would go out more often. •I'd go out more often if I lived in a big city.
•If I lived in a big city, I wouldn’t need a car. •I wouldn’t need a car if I lived in a big city.
As an alternative to would, it is possible to
Exception: the verb 'to be‘
complete the second part of a sentence in
the second conditional using could. For
When the verb 'to be' is used in a sentence with
example:
the second conditional, the past tense form for
•If we lived in the city we could use the
subjects I, he, she and it is always were and not
public transport.
was. For example:
•If I were rich, I’d spend all my time traveling. Native speakers, especially younger ones, often use was
•If he were my boss, I’d look for another job. instead of were, especially in informal situations. However,
•If it weren't so cold, we could go for a walk. the correct form is were.
Knowing when to use the second conditional
instead of the first conditional can be tricky. It
might be helpful to remember that the second
conditional is usually used when talking about
imaginary situations or speculating about possible
situations and the resulting actions. For example:
•If we were rich, we could buy a big house near the
sea.
•What would you do if your company offered you a
promotion in another country?

Here are other examples with the second

conditional: Polite requests

•What would you do if you won a lot of money? The second conditional is also used
•I wouldn’t give up my job if I won a lot of money.
to make very polite requests. For
•If we could ski he we 'd come with you to the
mountains.
example:
•If people drove more carefully, there’d be fewer
accidents. •Would you mind if I used your
•I'd be amazed if he arrived on time. He's always computer?
late.
•Would they agree if we offered them a short •Would it be ok if we sat here?
delivery time?
•Would it bother you if I closed the
window?
 When and how to use the Third Conditional

Once studied and familiarized with the hypothetical periods of types 0, 1 and 2, the last type can be
tackled: the third conditional.
The third conditional (3rd type hypothetical period) is used to express the past consequences of an
unrealistic action or situation that occurred in the past.
For example:
•If he had studied harder, he would have passed the exam.
The first action ('studying hard') did not occur. Otherwise, the consequence would have been
passing the exam. The third conditional is very similar to the second conditional, but while the
second conditional refers to an unrealistic event in the present or future, the third conditional refers
to an unrealistic situation in the past.
The third conditional is often used to express regret or regret about something that happened or
didn't. For example:
•If my alarm had gone off, I wouldn’t have been late to work.
•If there hadn't been so much traffic we wouldn't have missed our flight.

The structure of the third conditional is:

If + past perfect, would / wouldn’t have + past participle. As in all other types of hypothetical period, the
structure can be reversed:
•If you had told me about the meeting, I would
have come. Would have + past participle if + past perfect.
•I’d have come to the meeting if you’d told me
•If you had told me about the meeting, I wouldn’t about it.
have missed it.
•I wouldn’t have missed the meeting if you’d told
me about it.
Native speakers often contract would in 'd and this practice is also acceptable in informal writing.
In speech, have is commonly contracted into 've. For example:
I’d’ve come to the meeting if you’d told me.
However, such a sentence is not acceptable, even in an informal context. However, it is an element
that is good to be aware of, in order to recognize it when you hear it from a native speaker.
As an alternative to would, it is possible to complete the second part of a sentence in the third
conditional using could. For example:
•If I’d stayed at university, I could have got a masters degree.
Other examples:
•He’d have got the job if he hadn’t been so nervous in the interview.
•What would you have done if you’d been me?
•If it hadn’t been snowing heavily, we’d have carried on skiing.
•The company would have survived if there hadn't been a recession.
•Would you have accepted the offer if we’d reduced the price?
•If you hadn’t invited me out, I’d have stayed in all day.
•She wouldn’t have given you a fine if you’d apologized.
•If they hadn't won that match, the club would have fired the manager.
•They could have stayed here if they hadn't found any accommodation.
 Mixed conditionals
Second and third conditional can be combined in two different ways, in such a way as to:

Describe the present consequences of a past situation:

If + past simple, would have + past participle

•If I were adventurous, I’d have gone backpacking after university.
or
Describe the past consequences of a present situation

If + past perfect, would + verb

If we hadn’t missed the flight, we’d be in our hotel by now.

Here are some examples:

•If I’d studied for a year in the U.S, my English would be fluent now.
•The roads wouldn’t be so icy if it hadn’t rained so much last night.
•If she weren’t so shy, she’d have gone to the party on her own.
•The fans would be miserable now if their team had been relegated.