Zero conditional (general truths) FACTS, high probability

( If + Pres S ) + Pres S If the temperature falls below 0C, water turns into ice if = when(ever)

1 conditional real present or future possibility

st

If I study, I will pass the exam

(it's possible, I can do it, I just need to study!)

1st conditional (real possibility), high probability. Subtypes:

If + Pres S/Cont Pres Perf (Cont) + Fut S/Imperat/going to
can/may/might/must/should

If he doesn't study, he won't pass his exam If you need help, come and see me If you are good today, you may watch TV If you've finished your work, we can have a break If you're ever in the area, you should come and visit us

If I do my homework, I'll get good grades. If I get good grades, you'll send me to college. If I go to college, I'll graduate and get a job. If I get a job, I might get fired. If I get fired, I could go bankrupt and lose everything.

That's why I don't do my homework!

Other possible expressions: If we don't leave now, we'll miss the bus. UNLESS we leave now, we'll miss the bus. You can see the headmaster PROVIDED you have an appointment SUPPOSE the boss came now, what would you say?

2 conditional If you studied, you would pass the exam

nd

(but this is not very probable now or in the future) Passing the exam is IMPROBABLE

2 conditional (future situation, low probability)

nd

To give advice:

Unreal hypothesis:

3 conditional
rd

If I had studied, I would have passed the exam

(but I didn't study, so I didn't pass and there's nothing I can do about it now) This is a totally imaginary & impossible situation

Past situation: impossible (this is just a

hypothesis about the past)

3rd conditional

To sum up...
Is it always true? Zero conditional
If the temperature falls below 0C, water turns into ice

Is it possible? 1st conditional If I study, I will pass Is it imaginary or improbable? 2nd conditional
If I studied, I would pass

Is it impossible (it already happened)? 3rd conditional If I had studied, I would have passed
By Pili A.M.