Lesson 19: Conditionals (Part 1)

Explanation of Conditional Sentences: Zero, First, Second, Third, and Mixed Conditionals

Zero Conditional

The zero conditional is used to talk about facts, general truths, or things that always happen when a certain condition is met. It expresses cause and effect that is always true.

• Structure: If + present simple, present simple
• Example 1: If you heat water to 100°C, it boils.
  • Explanation: This is a scientific fact. When water reaches 100°C, it will always boil.
• Example 2: If it rains, the ground gets wet.
  • Explanation: This is a general truth. If the condition (rain) happens, the result (wet ground) always follows.

First Conditional 

The first conditional is used for real and possible situations in the future. It suggests that if the condition is met, the result will happen in the future.

• Structure: If + present simple, will + base verb
• Example 1: If it rains tomorrow, I will bring an umbrella.
  • Explanation: This is a future possibility. If it rains tomorrow, I will take the action of bringing an umbrella.
• Example 2: If you study hard, you will pass the exam.
  • Explanation: If you study (a possible action), the result will be that you will pass the exam.

Second Conditional 

The second conditional talks about hypothetical or unlikely situations in the present or future. It suggests a result that would happen if the condition were met, but the condition is not likely.

• Structure: If + past simple, would + base verb
• Example 1: If I had a million dollars, I would travel the world.
  • Explanation: This is a hypothetical situation because I don’t have a million dollars. It’s imagining something that isn’t real.
• Example 2: If I were you, I would talk to my boss.
  • Explanation: This is a hypothetical situation where I am imagining being in someone else's shoes.

Third Conditional 

The third conditional expresses a past hypothetical situation. It’s used to reflect regret or to imagine what could have happened in the past if the condition had been met.

• Structure: If + past perfect, would have + past participle
• Example 1: If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.
  • Explanation: The condition (studying harder) wasn’t met in the past, so the result (passing the exam) didn’t happen.
• Example 2: If she had known about the party, she would have attended.
  • Explanation: She didn’t know about the party, so she didn’t attend. It’s imagining a different past outcome.

Mixed Conditional 1 

Mixed conditional 1 combines a past unreal condition (third conditional) with a present result (second conditional). It expresses how a past condition could have affected the present situation.

• Structure: If + past perfect, would + base verb
• Example 1: If I had gone to bed earlier, I would feel better now.
  • Explanation: I didn’t go to bed earlier, and now I don’t feel well. The past action affects my current state.
• Example 2: If she had taken the job offer, she would be living in Paris now.
  • Explanation: She didn’t take the job in the past, and because of that, she’s not living in Paris today.

Mixed Conditional 2 

Mixed conditional 2 combines a present unreal condition (second conditional) with a past result (third conditional). It shows how a current unreal situation would have affected the past.

• Structure: If + past simple, would have + past participle
• Example 1: If I weren’t so tired, I would have gone to the party last night.
  • Explanation: I’m tired now, and because of that, I didn’t go to the party last night.
• Example 2: If they weren’t so busy, they would have helped you with the project.
  • Explanation: They are busy now, so they didn’t help you with the project in the past.

Implied Conditionals

Implied conditionals are those in which the condition is understood or implied, without being explicitly stated using "if." This usually happens in informal speech or writing.

• Structure: Main clause + condition implied
• Example 1: You’d feel better if you took the medicine.
  • Explanation: The "if" clause (If you took the medicine) is implied in this sentence.
• Example 2: I would have gone to the concert if I had known about it.
  • Explanation: The condition (if I had known about the concert) is implied, even though it’s not directly stated.