Conditional sentences express hypothetical relationships between

different actions or events. They consist of two parts: the “if” clause
(conditional clause) and the main clause. The type of conditional
sentence you use depends on the likelihood of the condition being met
and the resulting outcome.

Zero Conditional (Present Real Conditional):

Used for general truths or facts.

If + present simple, present simple.
Example: If you heat water to 100 degrees Celsius, it boils.
First Conditional (Present Unreal Conditional):

Used for future possibilities or likely situations.

If + present simple, will + base form verb.
Example: If it rains tomorrow, we will stay indoors.
Second Conditional (Past Unreal Conditional):

Used for hypothetical situations in the present or future.

If + past simple, would + base form verb.
Example: If I had more time, I would travel around the world.
Third Conditional (Past Unreal Conditional – Past Counterfactual):
Used for past situations that didn’t happen and their hypothetical
outcomes.
If + past perfect, would have + past participle.
Example: If she had studied harder, she would have passed the exam.
Combine elements of different conditional types to show complex
relationships.
Type 1: Past result of a past condition.
If + past perfect, would + base form verb.
Example: If she hadn’t missed the train yesterday, she would have been
at the meeting right now.
Type 2: Present result of a past condition.
If + past simple, would have + past participle.
Example: If they practiced more before the competition, they would
have performed better on stage.

Zero Conditional (Present Real Conditional):

If you mix red and blue, you get purple.

If the temperature drops below freezing, water turns into ice.
2. First Conditional (Present Unreal Conditional):

If he studies hard, he will pass the exam.

If she doesn’t leave soon, she will miss the bus.
3. Second Conditional (Past Unreal Conditional):

If I won the lottery, I would buy a big house.

If they traveled to Europe, they would visit famous landmarks.
4. Third Conditional (Past Unreal Conditional – Past Counterfactual):

If I had known about the party, I would have gone.

If they had taken my advice, they wouldn’t have faced this problem.
5. Mixed Conditionals (Type 1 – Past result of a past condition):

If she hadn’t lost her phone (past condition), she would have joined the
video call (present result).
If he had finished the project last week (past condition), he wouldn’t be
stressed now (present result).

Mixed Conditionals (Type 2 – Present result of a past condition):

If I wasn’t afraid of heights (present condition), I would have climbed

the mountain (present result).
If they understood the instructions (present condition), they would have
solved the puzzle (present result).
Type 1 – Past result of a past condition:
If he had taken that job offer (past condition), he would have a higher
salary now (present result).
If she had bought the tickets earlier (past condition), she would be
sitting in the front row now (present result).
Type 2 – Present result of a past condition:

If I wasn’t scared of heights (present condition), I would have climbed

that tall tower (past result).
If they spoke Italian (present condition), they would have enjoyed their
vacation in Rome more (past result).
Remember, in Type 1, the past condition affects the present result, and
in Type 2, the present condition affects the past result. The key is
understanding the relationship between the condition and the result
and how they are situated in time.
Type 1 – Past result of a past condition:

This type talks about a past condition that didn’t happen and its
hypothetical present or ongoing result.
The past condition is expressed using the past perfect tense in the “if”
clause.
The present or ongoing result is expressed using “would” + base form
verb in the main clause.
Example: If she hadn’t missed the train yesterday (past condition), she
would be at the meeting right now (present result).
In this example, the past condition (missing the train) affects the
present result (not being at the meeting
Type 2 – Present result of a past condition:

This type talks about a present condition that is contrary to reality and
its hypothetical past result.
The present condition is expressed using the past simple tense in the
“if” clause.
The past result is expressed using “would have” + past participle in the
main clause.
Example: If they had practiced more before the competition (present
condition), they would have performed better on stage (past result).

In this example, the present condition (not practicing enough) affects

the past result (poor performance on stage).

To sum up, the difference lies in the timing of the condition and the
result: Type 1 deals with a past condition affecting a present result,
while Type 2 deals with a present condition affecting a past result