Conditionals in English

Conditionals

Conditionals or 'if clauses' describe the result of something that might happen (in the present or future) or might have happened but didn't (in the past) . 

There are four kinds of conditional structure:

• The Zero Conditional: it expresses what always happens if or when a certain action takes place. 
  (if + present simple, ... present simple)
  If you heat water to 100 degrees, it boils.
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• The First Conditional:  We use the first conditional to talk about something that will happen (the result), if a particular condition (which is likely to happen) is met. 
  (if + present simple, ... will + infinitive)
  If it rains tomorrow, we'll go to the cinema.
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• The Second Conditional:it is a way of talking about impossible or unlikely events or situations.
  (if + past simple, ... would + infinitive)
  If I had a lot of money, I would travel around the world.
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• The Third Conditional
  (if + past perfect, ... would + have + past participle)
  If I had gone to bed early, I would have caught the train.
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Click here for conditional exercises

practice in the British Council Webpage