cOndiTionaL senteNces

First Conditional

Introduction

The first conditional (also called conditional type 1) is a structure used for talking about possibilities in the present or in the future. This page will explain how the first conditional is formed, and when to use it.

The structure of a first conditional sentence

A first conditional sentence consists of two clauses, an "if" clause and a main clause:

if clause main clause

If you study hard, you will pass the test.

If the "if" clause comes first, a comma is usually used. If the "if" clause comes second, there is no need for a comma:

main clause if clause

You will pass the test if you study hard.

We use different verb forms in each part of a first conditional:

if clause if + subject + simple present (verb 1) --- PRESENT TENSE

main clause subject + will + verb 1 – FUTURE TENSE

Using the first conditional

The first conditional is used to talk about things which are possible in the present or the future -- things which may happen:

Example	Explanation
If it's sunny, we'll go to the park.	Maybe it will be sunny -- that's possible.
Paula will be sad if Juan leaves.	Maybe Juan will leave -- that's possible.
If you cook the supper, I'll wash the dishes.	Maybe you will cook the supper -- that's possible.

Second Conditional

Introduction

The second conditional (also called conditional type 2) is a structure used for talking about unreal situations in the present or in the future. This page will explain how the second conditional is formed, and when to use it.

The structure of a second conditional sentence

Like a first conditional, a second conditional sentence consists of two clauses, an "if" clause and a main clause:

if clause main clause

If I had a million dollars, I would buy a big house.

If the "if" clause comes first, a comma is usually used. If the "if" clause comes second, there is no need for a comma:

main clause if clause

I would buy a big house if I had a million dollars.

We use different verb forms in each part of a second conditional:

if clause if + subject + simple past verb (verb 2)*

main clause subject + would + verb 1

*Note that this "simple past" form is slightly different from usual in the case of the verb BE. Whatever the subject, the verb form is "were", not "was": If I were rich, I'd buy a big house.

Using the second conditional

The second conditional is used to talk about things which are unreal (not true or not possible) in the present or the future -- things which don't or won't happen:

Example	Explanation
If I were you, I would drive more carefully in the rain.	I am not you -- this is unreal.
Paula would be sad if Juan left.	Jan will not leave -- that's not going to happen.
If dogs had wings, they would be able to fly.	Dogs don't have wings -- that's impossible.

Third Conditional

Introduction

The third conditional (also called conditional type 3) is a structure used for talking about unreal situations in the past. This page will explain how the third conditional is formed, and when to use it.

The structure of a third conditional sentence

Like the other conditionals, a third conditional sentence consists of two clauses, an "if" clause and a main clause:

if clause	main clause	explanation
If I had studied harder,	I would have passed the exam.	I failed the exam, because I didn't study hard enough.

If the "if" clause comes first, a comma is usually used. If the "if" clause comes second, there is no need for a comma:

main clause if clause

I probably would have passed the exam if I had studied harder.

We use different verb forms in each part of a third conditional:

if clause if + subject + HAD+V3

main clause subject + (would / could / might) have + V3

*The past perfect is formed with the auxiliary verb "had", and the past participle (or third form) of the verb.

Note also that third conditional forms can be contracted:

Full form If I had studied harder, I probably would have passed the exam.

Contracted form If I'd studied harder, I probably would've passed the exam.

Using the third conditional

The third conditional is used to talk about things which DID NOT HAPPEN in the past. If your native language does not have a similar construction, you may find this a little strange, but it can be very useful. It is often used to express criticism or regret:

Example	Explanation
If you had driven more carefully, you would not have had an accident.	Criticism: You had an accident because you didn't drive carefully enough.
If we had played a little better, we could have won the game.	Regret: We didn't play well, so we lost the game.
If you had saved your money, you could have bought a computer.	Criticism: You didn't save your money, so now you can't afford a computer.
If it had snowed, we could have gone skiing.	Regret: It didn't snow, so we couldn't go skiing.