B1 English GrammarConditionals (If Clauses)
Express conditions and their results using zero, first, second, and third conditionals. Understand when to use each type for real and unreal situations.
1Zero Conditional - General Truths
Use zero conditional for things that are always true or scientific facts. Structure: If + present simple, present simple. Both clauses use present simple because the result always happens.
Zero Conditional Structure
| If clause | Result clause | Example |
|---|---|---|
| If + present simple | present simple | If you heat water, it boils. |
Examples
If you heat ice, it melts.
If you heat ice, it melts.
scientific fact
If it rains, the grass gets wet.
If it rains, the grass gets wet.
general truth
If you don't water plants, they die.
If you don't water plants, they die.
always true
If you press this button, the door opens.
If you press this button, the door opens.
automatic result
2First Conditional - Real Possibilities
Use first conditional for real, possible situations in the future. Structure: If + present simple, will + verb. The situation is likely to happen.
First Conditional Structure
| If clause | Result clause | Example |
|---|---|---|
| If + present simple | will + verb | If it rains, I will stay home. |
Examples
If I have time, I will call you.
If I have time, I will call you.
possible future situation
If she studies hard, she will pass the exam.
If she studies hard, she will pass the exam.
likely result
If we leave now, we won't be late.
If we leave now, we won't be late.
negative result
If you don't hurry, you will miss the bus.
If you don't hurry, you will miss the bus.
warning about future
3Second Conditional - Unreal Present/Future
Use second conditional for unreal, hypothetical, or unlikely situations. Structure: If + past simple, would + verb. Use 'were' for all persons with 'to be' (If I were...).
Second Conditional Structure
| If clause | Result clause | Example |
|---|---|---|
| If + past simple | would + verb | If I had money, I would travel. |
| If + were | would + verb | If I were you, I would accept. |
Examples
If I won the lottery, I would buy a house.
If I won the lottery, I would buy a house.
unlikely situation
If I were you, I would take the job.
If I were you, I would take the job.
advice (were for all persons)
If she had more time, she would learn piano.
If she had more time, she would learn piano.
hypothetical
If I could fly, I would visit every country.
If I could fly, I would visit every country.
impossible situation
4Third Conditional - Unreal Past
Use third conditional for imagining different outcomes for past events. Structure: If + past perfect, would have + past participle. These situations cannot change because they already happened.
Third Conditional Structure
| If clause | Result clause | Example |
|---|---|---|
| If + had + past participle | would have + past participle | If I had studied, I would have passed. |
Examples
If I had known, I would have helped.
If I had known, I would have helped.
but I didn't know
If she had left earlier, she wouldn't have missed the train.
If she had left earlier, she wouldn't have missed the train.
but she left late
If we had taken a taxi, we would have arrived on time.
If we had taken a taxi, we would have arrived on time.
regret about past decision
If he had listened to me, he wouldn't have made that mistake.
If he had listened to me, he wouldn't have made that mistake.
criticism of past action