Conditionals: Zero, First and SecondA2–B1
If-sentences for facts (zero), real possibilities (first) and imagined situations (second). After if the verb is in the present simple, even for the future: If it rains, we'll stay in.
No information at the current level. This view starts at A2: choose A2 or a higher level.
No information at the current level. This view starts at A2: choose A2 or a higher level.
CheatsheetA2–B1
| Point | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Zero: facts | if + present, present | If you mix blue and yellow, you get green. |
| First: real possibilities | if + present, will + V | If you study, you'll pass. |
| B1Second: unreal situations | if + past simple, would + V | If I won the lottery, I'd buy a house. |
| The if-clause | present simple, also for the future | If it rains, we'll stay in. |
| Order | if-clause first: comma; if-clause second: no comma | If it rains, we'll stay in. / We'll stay in if it rains. |
| B1Trap | were for every person, also in advice | If I were you, I'd take the train. |
| B1Trap | unless means if … not; the verb is affirmative | Unless you hurry, you'll miss the bus. |
OverviewA2
- Zero and first conditionals talk about real situations. The second talks about imagined ones.
Form: zero and firstA2
| Type | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Zero | if + present, present | If you mix blue and yellow, you get green. |
| First | if + present, will + V | If you study, you'll pass. |
| First (negative) | if + don't / doesn't + V, will + V | If you don't hurry, you'll miss the bus. |
- The if-clause uses the present simple, also for the future.
- The first conditional main clause can also use can, may or an imperative: If you feel ill, call me.
Form: secondB1
| Type | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Second | if + past simple, would + V | If I won the lottery, I'd buy a house. |
| Second (negative) | if + didn't + V, would + V | If I didn't have to work, I'd travel. |
| Second with be | if + were, would + V | If it were sunny, we'd go out. |
- The past simple in the if-clause refers to the present or the future.
- were works for every person: If he were here, he'd help. was is common in informal speech.
- The main clause can also use could or might: If I had time, I could help.
Order of the clausesA2
| Order | Example |
|---|---|
| if-clause first: comma | If it rains, we'll stay in. |
| if-clause second: no comma | We'll stay in if it rains. |
UseA2–B1
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| Facts and general truths (zero) | If you press this button, the door opens. |
| Real possibilities in the future (first) | If I see Ana, I'll tell her. |
| B1Unreal or unlikely situations (second) | If I were a bird, I'd fly to Spain. |
| B1Advice: If I were you (second) | If I were you, I'd take the train. |
UnlessB1
- unless means if … not. It takes an affirmative verb: Unless you hurry, you'll miss the bus. = If you don't hurry, you'll miss the bus.
- unless goes with the zero and first conditionals. See Conjunctions and Linkers.
Compare: first and second conditionalB1
| First conditional | Second conditional |
|---|---|
| real, possible | imagined, unlikely |
| If I win, I'll buy a car. | If I won, I'd buy a car. |
| If we have time, we'll visit you. | If we had time, we'd visit you. |
- The speaker chooses by how likely the situation seems.
Typical errorsA2–B1
| ✗ | ✓ | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| B1If I am you, I would go. | If I were you, I'd go. | advice uses If I were you |
| B1If I win the lottery, I would buy a house. | If I won the lottery, I would buy a house. | match the pair: present + will or past + would |
| If it rains we'll stay in. | If it rains, we'll stay in. | comma after an if-clause at the start |
| B1Unless you don't hurry, you'll miss the bus. | Unless you hurry, you'll miss the bus. | unless already means if … not |
| If she come, I'll call you. | If she comes, I'll call you. | she / he / it → V-s in the if-clause |