TYPES OF CONDITIONAL SENTENCES
Zero conditional
We use the zero conditional to talk about things that are generally true, especially for laws and rules.
If I drink too much coffee, I can't sleep at night.
Ice melts if you heat it.
The structure is: if/when + present simple , present simple.
First conditional
We use the first conditional when we talk about future situations we believe are real or possible.
If it doesn't rain tomorrow, we'll go to the beach.
When I finish work, I'll call you.
The structure is: if/when + present simple , will + infinitive.
It is also common to use this structure with unless, as long as, as soon as or in case instead of if.
I'll leave as soon as the babysitter arrives.
I don't want to stay in London unless I get a well-paid job.
I'll give you a key in case I'm not at home.
You can go to the party, as long as you're back by midnight.
Second conditional
The second conditional is used to imagine present or future situations that are impossible or unlikely
in reality.
If we had a garden, we could have a cat.
I wouldn't worry if I were you.
The structure is: if + past simple , would + infinitive.
When if is followed by the verb be, it is grammatically correct to say if I were, if he were, if she
were and if it were. However, it is also common to hear these structures with was, especially in
the he/she form.
If I were you, I wouldn't mention it.
If she was prime minister, she would invest more money in schools.
Third conditional
The third conditional is used to refer to an unreal past condition and its probable result in the past.
If I had moved to London, I would have got the job
If she had not got the money, she would not have bought the car
The structure is: if + past perfect , would have + infinitive
