A conditional sentence is based on the word ‘if’.

There are We use the second conditional to talk about improbable or

always two parts to a conditional sentence – one part impossible situations in the present or future. Here is the
beginning with ‘if’ to describe a possible situation, and the structure:
second part which describes the consequence. For
example:
1) If it rains, we’ll get wet.
For example:
We can also invert the two parts of a conditional sentence 1) If I had more time, I’d exercise more. (But I don’t
so that the ‘if’ part comes second, and this is especially have more time so I don’t.)
common in questions. For example: 2) If I were rich, I’d spend all my time
2) What will you do if you miss the train? travelling. (But I’m not rich so I can’t.)
3) How can you finish the project if you don’t have a 3) If she saw a snake, she’d be terrified.
computer? 4) If he didn’t have to work late, he could go out
4) What happens if the students don’t pass an exam? with his girlfriend.
5) What would you do if you were offered a job in
There are four types of conditional sentences: Canada?
0 – The zero conditional 6) You wouldn’t have to walk everywhere if
1 – The first conditional you bought a bike.
2 – The second conditional
3 – The third conditional A common expression used to give advice has the second
conditional structure. The expression is ‘If I were you , I’d..’,
It is also possible to mix the second and third conditional. meaning ‘in your situation, this is what I would do’. For
Let’s look at each conditional to see how we use them. example:
A: I’ve got a headache.
The Zero Conditional B: If I were you, I’d take an aspirin.
We use the zero conditional to talk about permanent truths, A: I don’t understand this.
such as scientific facts, and general habits. The structure is B: If I were you, I’d ask your teacher for help.
simple: A: This order won’t be delivered on time.
B: If I were you, I’d phone the customer to let them know.

The Third Conditional

We use the third conditional to talk about impossible
Here are some examples: situations, as in the second conditional, in the past. We
1) If you heat water to 100°, it boils. often use the third conditional to describe regrets. The
2) If you eat a lot, you put on weight. structure is:
3) If it doesn’t rain for a long time, the
earth gets very dry.
4) If we go out with friends, we normally go to a
restaurant. Here are some examples:
5) If I’m tired, I go to bed early. 1) If we had left earlier, we would have arrived on
time.
The First Conditional 2) If you hadn’t forgotten her birthday,
We use the first conditional to talk about a realistic situation she wouldn’t have been upset.
in the present or future. The structure of the first conditional 3) If they had booked earlier, they could have
is as follows: found better seats.
4) If I hadn’t learnt English, I wouldn’t have
got this job.
5) What would you have studied if you hadn’t
done engineering?
Here are some examples: 6) They wouldn’t have hired you if you hadn’t
1) If you’re free later, we can go for a walk. had some experience abroad.
2) If they’re hungry, I’ll make some sandwiches. 7) You could have helped me if you’d stayed later.
3) If you’re not back by 5pm, give me a ring.
4) If he studies hard, he’ll do well in the exam. Mixed Conditionals
5) If we arrive late, we must get a taxi. It’s possible to combine the second and third conditional in
6) He’ll call if he needs help. one sentence when we want to make a hypothesis about
7) Take a break if you’re tired. the past that has a consequence in the present. In this
case, the structure is:
Another way to make first conditional sentences is to use
‘unless’ which means ‘only if’ or ‘except’. As with ‘if’, the
word ‘unless’ can never be followed by ‘will’ but only by the
present simple. For example: Here are some examples:
1) Unless you hurry up, you won’t catch the bus. 1) If you’d studied harder, you’d be at a higher level
2) I’ll carry on doing this work, unless my now.
boss tells me to do something else. 2) We’d be lying on a beach now if we hadn’t
3) We’ll stay at home unless the weather improves. missed the plane.
3) They’d have much more confidence if they hadn’t
The Second Conditional lost so many matches.
4) What would you be doing now if you hadn’t
decided to study?