Conditionals
Zero, First, Second, Third📖 Conditionals
| Type | Use | Formula | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zero | General truths | If + present, present | "If you heat water, it boils." |
| First | Real possibility | If + present, will + V1 | "If it rains, I will stay." |
| Second | Unreal present | If + past, would + V1 | "If I had money, I would travel." |
| Third | Unreal past | If + past perfect, would have + V3 | "If I had studied, I would have passed." |
Choose the correct conditional
Conditionals: meaning before formula
Original practice material · explained answers · no official-exam attribution
Understand the rule
Zero conditionals express general relationships: if + present, present. First conditionals describe a possible future situation: if + present, will + base verb. Second conditionals imagine an unlikely or unreal present/future situation: if + past, would + base verb. Third conditionals imagine an alternative past: if + past perfect, would have + past participle. The past form in a second conditional does not necessarily describe past time. Unless means if not and should not be combined with an unnecessary second negation.
Follow a method
Decide whether the situation is general, possible, imaginary now or contrary to past facts. Then choose the form. Keep will out of the ordinary first-conditional if-clause. Use a comma when the if-clause comes first. Check that the consequence matches the same time viewpoint.
Worked example
Practise and explain your answer
01Complete: If it rains tomorrow, we ___ (stay) indoors.
02Complete: If I ___ (be) you, I would apologise.
03Complete: If they had studied, they ___ (pass).
04Rewrite with unless: If you do not hurry, you will miss the bus.
05Correct: If I will see her, I will tell her.
MathMaroc · Guided practice
Meaning before form
Practise, use a hint, then read the explanation. This activity does not give an official examination grade.