The Conditional

0 conditional 1 conditional 2 conditional 3 conditional

If + simple present + if + simple present + if + simple past + would if + past perfect +

simple present will/will not (future) would/could etc. + have + past
participle
Time: General Time: Future Time: Hypothetical future, Time: Hypothetical past
Function: Habits, Function: Probable future, abstract Function: Regrets, comments
tendencies, rules, and predictions, promises, threats, Function: Fantasy, improbable about past situations.
scientific facts. and offers. future, hypothesis, and Structure: If + Past Perfect,
Structure: When + Present Structure: If + Present Simple, negotiations. would/ modal + have + past
Simple, Present Simple. will/ modal + verb Structure: If + Past Simple, participle.
Example: When he is Example: If Sally is hungry would/ modal + verb Example: If I had not studied
stressed, he exercises. later, she will eat something. Example: If I was rich, I would English, I would have studied
travel around the world. Arabic.
Mixed Conditional
Time: Past (condition) and present (consequence).
Function: Regrets, comments about past situations that have present consequences.
Structure: If + Past Perfect, would/ modal + verb
Example: If I had studied Arabic at school, I could speak Arabic now.
 Comparison
There are similarities in structure between the different conditionals. However, you should be careful to recognise the differences.

Zero and First Conditional First and Second Conditional Second, Third, and Mixed Conditional.
Both zero and first conditional These conditionals are used for future. All of these conditionals are hypothetical:
use present simple in their However, the first is used when the second for present to future, and the
conditional clauses. But, the speaker thinks this situation is probable. third for past. The mixed conditional
zero conditional is used to If it is just an idea, the second combines the two. That is to say that in
speak in general about the conditional is used.  third, both the condition and consequence
present whereas (in timp ce) Compare; are past whereas (in timp ce) in the mixed,
the first conditional speaks If the sky is clear later, I will look at the the condition is past and the consequence is
about a specific future. stars. present.
Compare; If I was an astronaut, I would look at the Compare;
If I am hungry, I eat. stars all the time. If Charlotte had studied German more, she
(Generally) First: probable future. would have passed her exam.
If I am hungry, I will eat. Second: improbable future. If she had studied more, she could speak
(Later) German today.
Examples
If Tom is tired, he goes to bed early. (Zero – tendency)
If you cool water, it becomes ice. (Zero – Scientific fact)
If I finish work on time, I can meet my friend the restaurant. (First – probable future)
If you give me that bicycle, I will pay you €250. (First – offer)
If it snowed in summer, I would be very surprised. (Second – improbable future)
If I found a big bag of cash, I would buy a motorcycle. (Fantasy)
If I had not gone to the cinema on Friday, I could have gone to the restaurant with my friends on Saturday. (Third – regret)
If Gerry had worn a scarf on that cold day, he would not be sick not. (Mixed – hypothetical – past condition, present consequence)