¶ Conditionals
Zero Conditionals
Zero conditional sentences express general truths—situations in which one thing always causes
another. When you use a zero conditional, you’re talking about a general truth rather than a specific
instance of something. Consider the following examples:
If you don’t brush your teeth, you get cavities. (Simple present, Simple present)
When people smoke cigarettes, their health suffers. (Simple present, Simple present)
¶ The First Conditional
We use the first conditional to talk about a realistic situation in the present or future. The structure of the first conditional is as follows:
If you’re free later, we can go for a walk.
If they’re hungry, I’ll make some sandwiches.
¶ The Second Conditional
We use the second conditional to talk about improbable or impossible situations in the present or future. Here is the structure:
For example:
If I had more time, I’d exercise more. (But I don’t have more time so I don’t.)
If I were rich, I’d spend all my time traveling. (But I’m not rich so I can’t.)
¶ The Third Conditional
We use the third conditional to talk about impossible situations, as in the second conditional, in the past. We often use the third conditional to describe regrets. The structure is:
Here are some examples:
If we had left earlier, we would have arrived on time.
If you hadn’t forgotten her birthday, she wouldn’t have been upset.