We can use the conditional tenses to talk about situations that may or may not be real or possible.
Zero Conditional
Zero Conditional is used to talk about facts and general truths.
- If + Present Simple, + present simple.
- Present simple + if + present Simple.
Rocks sink if you drop them in water.
First Conditional
First Conditional is used to talk about actions in the future that are possible and likely to happen, but not certain.
- If + Present Simple, + Will + verb.
- Will + verb + if + Present SImple.
If I have some time this evening, I will go to the pool.
Jane will injure herself if she doesn’t warm up before her class.
Second Conditional
Second Conditional is used for impossible or hypothetical situations. The time we refer to is not specific. In the Second Conditional, the verb be is always conjugated to were.
- If + Past Simple, + would + verb.
- Would + verb + if + Past Simple.
If Canada were warmer, I would stay here permanently.
I would buy more fashionable clothing if I had a higher paying job.
If they didn’t fight so much, they might be happier.
Third Conditional
Third Conditional is used for hypothetical situations in the past. We are unable to change these situations.
- If + Past Perfect, + would have past participle.
- Would have past participle + if + Past Perfect.
If we had left the party earlier, we wouldn’t have missed the last bus.
We would have enjoyed the tour in France more if we had had a translator!
Katie and Frank would have ordered the furniture if the salesman had given them a better deal.
Exercise
Open the exercise to begin the activity. Follow the instructions in the document.