Conditionals are sentences that describe possible situations and their outcomes. English has three main conditional forms: First, Second, and Third. Each one serves a different purpose and follows specific grammar rules.
First Conditional
The First Conditional is used to talk about real or possible situations in the future. It shows that if one thing happens, another thing will follow.
Rule
- Use if + present simple, will + base verb
Examples
| English Example | English Explanation |
|---|---|
| If it rains, I will stay home. | If it rains (possible future), I will stay at home. |
| If you study, you will pass. | If you study (future possibility), you will pass exam. |
Usage
- Real or likely situations
- Future possibilities
- Giving warnings or advice
Second Conditional
The Second Conditional talks about unreal or unlikely situations in the present or future. It imagines a scenario that isn’t true or is very unlikely.
Rule
- Use if + past simple, would + base verb
Examples
| English Example | English Explanation |
|---|---|
| If I won the lottery, I would travel. | I don’t have the lottery ticket, but I imagine this. |
| If she were taller, she would play basketball. | She isn’t tall, but we imagine what might happen. |
Usage
- Unreal or imaginary situations
- Hypothetical present or future
- Giving advice about unlikely conditions
Third Conditional
The Third Conditional describes situations that did not happen in the past. It imagines different outcomes if something had been different.
Rule
- Use if + past perfect, would have + past participle
Examples
| English Example | English Explanation |
|---|---|
| If I had studied, I would have passed. | I didn’t study (past), so I didn’t pass (past result). |
| If they had left earlier, they would have arrived on time. | They left late (past), arrived late (past result). |
Usage
- Past regrets or criticisms
- Imagining different past outcomes
- Speculating about “what if” scenarios
Complete the Third Conditional sentence: ‘If you ______ (study) harder, you would have passed the exam.’
had studied
The if-clause in the Third Conditional uses the past perfect tense, so the correct form is "had studied."
Summary Table
| Conditional Type | If-Clause Structure | Main Clause Structure | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Conditional | if + present simple | will + base verb | If it rains, I will stay home. | Real present/future possibility |
| Second Conditional | if + past simple | would + base verb | If I won, I would travel. | Unreal/imaginary present or future |
| Third Conditional | if + past perfect | would have + past participle | If I had studied, I would have passed. | Unreal past (something didn’t happen) |
This summary shows how the tenses and meanings differ among the three conditional forms.
Which conditional form is used for hypothetical advice about an unlikely present or future?
Second Conditional
The Second Conditional is often used to give advice about hypothetical or unlikely situations in the present or future.
Flashcards (1 of 6)
- English Example: If it rains, I will stay home.
- English Explanation: If it rains (possible future), I will stay at home.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
