Conditionals

First Conditional
The first conditional deals with issues that have a real possibility of occurring. This conditional typically deals with future, real world events that are pondered on a daily basis. When people make plans and suggest back up plans, they are utilizing the first conditional.

The first conditional uses the if/then structure and the words will, shall, can or may to convey the future action being considered. The following sentences are examples of the first conditional:

•If it rains this weekend, we won't be able to play tennis.
•If we burn the dinner, we may have to order pizza.
•I'll watch TV if I finish my homework early.
•If it rains tomorrow, I shall go to the movies.

Second Conditional
The second conditional is a bit more tricky. In some ways it is similar to the first conditional. It utilizes the same if/then structure, but instead of using the words will, shall, can, or may, the second conditional uses would. The most significant difference between the second conditional and the first conditional, however, is that the second conditional deals with events that are not real possibilities. In many cases, the events could happen; they are not physical impossibilities. However, they are not tangible events that are certain to impact daily life.

In many respects, the second conditional is what English speakers use when they are dreaming about something or fantasizing about a particular scenario. See the following sentences for examples of the second conditional:

•If I had a million dollars, I would open an animal sanctuary.
•If we lived in Spain, we would enjoy the siestas.
•If I became president, I would give places to live to everyone.

Third Conditional
While the first two conditionals talk about possible future events, the third conditional deals with the past. Specifically, the third conditional talks about events in the past and ponders the effects of those events not happening.

Because we can't go back in time, the third conditional deals with events that have no possibility of happening. The third conditional uses the words would have to convey these impossible events. The following are examples:

•If Bobby Kennedy wasn't assassinated, he would have made a great president.
•If I had bet on the long shot, I would have made a killing.
•If I would have married her when I had the chance, I would have been happy.

Zero Conditional
The zero conditional deals with issues that are always true. They can often be thought of as stating a scientific fact. The following are examples:

•If you don't ever water your plants, they die.
If I see soemone in need, I try to help.
•If it gets below freezing, water turns into ice.
•If you stick your hand in a fire, it will burn.
Adapted from: http://www.yourdictionary.com/esl/Teaching-Conditionals-for-ESL.html

Conditionals