IF Conditionals

 Zero conditional refers to facts.

This involves the present simple + present simple

This is used for facts that are generally true or scientific facts.

The condition always has the same result.

If you stand in the rain, you get wet. (This is generally true)

If you heat ice, it melts. (This is a fact)

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First conditional and Second conditional refer to the present or future. 

However second conditional sentences suggest it is less probable or imaginary.

Third conditional refers to the past.

The First Conditional

This involves the present simple + will / won’t + verb

This is used to express a possible situation in the future.

We are predicting a likely result in the future if the condition happens.

If it rains, we will cancel the trip. (This is the likely result in the future if it rains)

If you study, you will pass the exam. (I predict that this will happen in the future if you study)

If we work hard, we will finish the project on time.

First Conditionals – If clauses

The first conditional is used to express a real or very probable situation in the present or future.
It is for things that will possibly happen in the future if a condition is met. In a way, we are predicting a likely result in the future if a certain condition happens.

The first conditional uses the present simple in the if-clause and the future simple in the main clause.

If + Present Simple, Future Simple

(If + condition, result)

• If we work hard, we will finish the project on time.

The condition is: if we work hard.
This is an if-clause because it begins with IF.

What is the result of this if-clause?
The result is: we will finish the project on time.

we have to use a comma at the end of an if-clause, when an if-clause comes at the beginning of the sentence.

Here I am saying it is possible that we will finish the project on time on the condition of working hard now. I am predicting that this is the likely result in the future. The main clause is in the future simple tense… we WILL finish.

It is also important to note that the if-clause must be in the present simple tense.
We say: If we work hard, we will finish the project on time.
We cannot say: If we will work hard… (this is NOT correct)

Here are some more example sentences of the first conditional.

• If you like Suzy Singer, then you’ll love her new album.
• If you take this medicine, you will feel much better.
• A: Where are my keys?
  B: If you look in the garage, you will find them.
• 
  
• Don’t worry. If I see John, I won’t tell him about the surprise.
  
• If I don’t feel well tomorrow, I won’t go to work.
• If the weather is nice tomorrow, we will have a picnic at the park.
• If he doesn’t arrive soon, we will leave without him.

Notice how there is a comma after the if-clause.

Look at this sentence:

• If it rains tomorrow, we will stay home.

Remember, we cannot say “If it will rain tomorrow”. 

The if-clause needs to be in the present simple tense.

Result + if + condition

We can also change the order of the sentence and have the main clause (the result) before the if-clause (the condition).

How can we change our example sentence (If it rains tomorrow, we will stay home) to this order? We say:

• We will stay home if it rains tomorrow.

Note that with this order, we do NOT use a comma between the clauses.

Let’s change the order of the example sentences we have already seen.

• You will find them if you look in the garage.
• You will feel much better if you take this medicine.
• I won’t tell John about the surprise if I see him.
• We will leave without him if he doesn’t arrive soon.

Possible plans, promises, warnings, threats, persuasion

The first conditional is common when we are talking about possible plans, promises, warnings, threats or for persuading someone. We are predicting a likely result in the future if a condition is fulfilled.

• If I go to Egypt next month for work, I’ll visit the pyramids. (plans)
• If I have time, I will do help you. (promise)
• If you touch that wire, you will get an electric shock. (warning)
• If you eat my chocolate, you’ll sleep outside with the dog. (threat)
• If you drive us to the concert, I’ll pay for the parking. (persuasion)

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The Second Conditional

This involves the past simple + would (or Could/ might) + verb

This is used for hypothetical or unlikely situations.

Also for unreal or improbable situations now or in the future.

be in second conditionals 

we can use either was or were with I/he/she/it, but we use were (NOT was) when we give advice with the expression if I were you.

If Jack was / were here, he'd know what to do. 

 if I were you, I wouldn't take that job. 

If I won the lottery, I would travel a lot.

(It is unlikely that I will win the lottery. But in this hypothetical, though improbable situation, this is what I would do)

If they sold their house, they would be rich.

(It is unlikely that they will sell the house because they like living there. However, in this improbable situation of them selling the house, they would become rich)

If I had more money, I'd travel more.

What would you do if you found a lot of money in the street?

A lot of health problems could be prevented if people ate better.

If I had her number, I 'd call her; but I don't have it.

I can't speak Japanese. If I Could,I Might be able to 

find a job in Japan.

Our kids would be happier if we lived in the country

I'd get a big tattoo on my back if my parents allowed me to do it.

I wouldn't drink that milk if I were you.

You wouldn't have so many accidents if you drove more carefully.

If it didn't rain, I 'd always cycle to work

 If I had more time I'd do more exercise.

 I'd do more exercise if l had more rime. 

 If we went by car, we could stop at places on rhe way.

If we learned Portuguese, we could go and work in Brazil

 . 

You'd feel much better if you did some exercise. 

I'd enjoy the weekend more  if l didn't have to work on Saturday. 

Would you wear it  if l boughtitfor you? 

 I wouldn't work if l didn't need the money

 If I went to live in London would you come to visit me?

If I found a good job, I would move to the USA. 

 We'd buy the house if it had a garden. 

 If you tried  Indian food, I'm sure you'd like it. 

You'd learn more if you worked harder. 

 If we rented a car, we could drive up to the mountains. 

 We'd see our son more often if he lived nearer.

 I wouldn't go to that restaurant if I Were you - it's very expensive. 

 I'd take you to the airport if my mum didn't have the car.

 

I quite like cycling, but I wouldn't cycle to work

 if I had a car.

 Would you leave your country if you gota well-paid job abroad?

 I love living here. I wouldn't be happy if I had to leave. 

If a bull attacked me, I'd run away.  

If you didn't go to bed so late, you wouldn't be so tired in the morning. 

Would you take the manager's job ifrhey offered it to you? 

  If you had  the chance to work in another country, which country would you  choose?

 How Would you feel  if your boss asked you to work at weekends?

 If you could study full-time for a year, what subject ,Would interest  you most?

 If there was an extra hour in your working day, how Would you spent it?

 Would you be  happier if mobile phones didn't exist?

 If you didn't have a clock or watch to see the time at work, 

would it be  a problem for you?

Compare the first and second conditionals. 

If I don't have to work tomorrow, I'll help you. (= It's a possibility. Maybe I will help you.) 

 Second conditional for imaginary or hypothetical situations. 

If I didn't have to work tomorrow, I'd help you. 

(=It's a hypothetical situation. I have to work, so l can't help you.) 

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The Third Conditional

This involves the past perfect + would have + past participle

This is used when a person is imagining a different past, an imaginary situation that did not happen in the past.

If you had studied, you would have passed the exam.

(I imagine that if you had done this in the past, the result would have been different)

If I hadn’t been sick, I would have gone to your party.

(I’m imagining the situation of NOT being sick in the past… something that I cannot change now)