Conditionals
Conditionals express "if... then" relationships. Different types show different levels of reality or possibility.
Types of Conditionals
Zero Conditional (General truths)
If + present, present
- If you heat water to 100°C, it boils.
- If I don't sleep well, I feel tired.
First Conditional (Real future possibility)
If + present, will + verb
- If it rains tomorrow, I will stay home.
- If you study hard, you will pass the exam.
Second Conditional (Unreal/hypothetical present)
If + past simple, would + verb
- If I had a car, I would drive to work. (I don't have a car)
- If I were rich, I would travel the world. (I'm not rich)
Tip
Important: Use "were" (not "was") for all persons in second conditional: - If I were you, I would accept the offer.
Third Conditional (Unreal past)
If + past perfect, would have + past participle
- If I had studied, I would have passed the exam. (I didn't study)
- If they had left earlier, they would have caught the train.
Practice Exercises
Multiple Choice
B1Which sentence is a second conditional?
Fill in the Blank
B1If I you, I would accept the job offer.
Hint: Always use 'were' for all persons in second conditional
Sentence Transformation
B2Original
If it rains, I will stay home.
Task: Transform to second conditional (hypothetical)
Hint: Change to past simple + would
Find the Error
B1Click on the incorrect word:
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Level: B1