Four Types of Conditionals

There are 4 basic types of conditionals: zero, first, second, and third.
It’s also possible to mix them up and use the first part of a sentence as one type of conditional
and the second part as another. These sentences would be called “mixed conditionals.”
1. The Zero Conditional
The zero conditional expresses something that is considered to be a universal truth or when one
action always follows another.
if (or when) + present tense | present tense
if (or when) + past tense | past tense
 When I did my homework, my teacher was happy.*
 If the temperature reaches zero degrees Celsius, water freezes.
 My mom comforted me when I got scared.*
 If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.
As you might have noticed, the order of clauses is not fixed in the conditional. However, if you
move “if” or “when” to the middle of the sentence, you must remove the comma. This rule
applies to all 4 types.
*Note: The zero conditional is the only type of conditional in which “when” can replace “if.”
2. The First Conditional
The first conditional expresses a future scenario that might occur. Assuming that the condition is
fulfilled, the outcome is likely to happen.
if + present tense | will (may/might/can/could/should) + infinitive
 If I get paid today, I will go shopping. (“Will” implies near certainty about the shopping
trip in case the condition is fulfilled)
 We could go to Paris if we save enough money. (“Could” indicates that the result is
possible.)
 If she knows the truth, she might not be happy. (“Might” implies a degree of uncertainty
about her happiness in case the condition is fulfilled.)
 They can do it if they try. (“Can” indicates that the result is possible.)
 If I see the man, I may say something to him. (“May” implies a degree of uncertainty
about saying something to him in case the condition is fulfilled.)
 He should get a dog if he is lonely. (“Should” indicates that the speaker is giving their
opinion.)

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This type refers to general truths, while the first conditional refers to specific situations. Though
“will” is most commonly used in the first conditional, you can also use “may,” “might,” “can,”
“could,” or “should.” However, as outlined above, each of these modal verbs can change the
meaning of the sentence.
3. The Second Conditional
The second conditional can either refer to future hypotheticals that are unlikely to be true or
present situations that are untrue or impossible.
if + past subjunctive | would/might/could + infinitive (simple or continuous)
*if + simple past | would/might/could + infinitive (simple or continuous)
 If I were rich, I would travel the world.
 If she were to try harder, she might get better grades.
 They might be able to see it if they were more observant.
 If I met the President, I would be too nervous to speak.
 If he played sports, he might be in better shape.
 He could get the promotion if he knew the right people.
Though the second resembles the first conditional in meaning, their structures are distinct.
Moreover, the first conditional usually refers to future events that are likely to happen, while the
second refers to events that are unlikely to happen (or current impossibilities).
4. The Third Conditional
The third conditional expresses an unreal situation in the past, with reference to the hypothetical
outcome that would result also in the past.
if + past perfect subjunctive | would (could/might) + perfect infinitive
*if + past perfect | would (could/might) + perfect infinitive
 If I had known how you were going to react, I would have kept my mouth shut.
 If you had seen the movie, we could have talked about the ending.
 We might have crossed paths if I had left the house on time.
Both the second and third conditionals can refer to impossible events. However, the second
refers to impossibilities in the present (“If I were you…”), while the third refers to impossibilities
in the past. The situations expressed in the third conditional are impossible because they already
transpired and therefore cannot be changed.

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Conditional sentences with modal verbs
We are going to look at conditional sentences using the modals “can”, “must”, “may” and “might”,
instead of “will.”
The conditional used with these modal verbs is usually the first conditional. Its purpose is to
indicate consequences, possibilities or conditions, when spoken in the present.
The modal verb “can” is used to indicate ability or possibility, let’s look at some examples:
If you arrive early, you can catch a ride to the game with me.
Mike can help you with your homework, if you ask him nicely.
Can you look after the baby if we go to the cinema?

You can also use the conditional sentences in the negative:

The modal verb “must” is used for strong obligations in English, as we see in the following
examples:
If you visit Brazil, you must come stay with me.
If Mary phones you, you must tell me.
She must be on time, if she wants to come with us.
Now in the negative:
You mustn’t go to the party if you don’t want to.
She mustn’t try fix it if it’s not broken.

The modal verb “may” is used to express possibility or permission.

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Finally, we use the modal verb “might” to indicate remote possibility, for example:
I might make it to work on time, if I leave now.
You might catch a cold if you don’t put on a jacket.
If we win this game we might have a chance of winning the league.
The negative would be:
Kevin might not make it to the party if he doesn’t finish work on time.
If we don’t leave now, we might not make the bus.