Conditional sentences: types and examples

Zero conditional: general truths and routines, where if means whenever: "If I drink coffee late, I can't sleep."

First conditional: a real possibility in the future: "If the bus is late, I'll take a taxi." You can use may, might or can instead of will.

Second conditional: an imaginary present or an unlikely future: "If I won the lottery, I would travel the world." For advice, use "If I were you, I would ...".

Third conditional: an imagined past that can't change, often for regret: "If I had checked my answers, I wouldn't have lost marks."

Mixed conditionals: a past condition with a present result, or a present situation with a past result.

The if-clause can come first or second. When it comes first, put a comma after it: "If you need help, call me." When it comes second, you don't need a comma: "Call me if you need help."

Don't use will or would in the if-clause of these patterns: "If it rains", not "If it will rain".

Unless means if not: "You won't pass unless you practise" means "You won't pass if you don't practise." As long as and provided that mean only if.

• Wrong: If I will see him, I will tell him.

  Right: If I see him, I will tell him.

  The if-clause of a first conditional takes the present simple.

• Wrong: If I would have known, I would have come.

  Right: If I had known, I would have come.

  The if-clause of a third conditional takes the past perfect.

• Wrong: If I am rich, I would buy a house.

  Right: If I were rich, I would buy a house.

  An imaginary present takes the past form in the if-clause.

Conditionals are a natural way to show grammatical range in IELTS Writing Task 2 and PTE Write Essay, especially when you suggest solutions: "If governments invested more in public transport, fewer people would drive." In IELTS Speaking Part 3, the second conditional helps with hypothetical questions about what would happen if something changed. Choose the type that matches how likely the situation is, rather than forcing a complex form.

Try each one, then open it to check your answer.

1. 1. Which conditional? "If you mix red and blue, you get purple."

   Zero conditional.

   It is a general fact, with the present simple in both clauses.

2. 2. Complete this: "If it ___ (snow) tomorrow, the schools will close."

   snows

   The if-clause of a first conditional takes the present simple.

3. 3. Complete this: "If I ___ (be) you, I would talk to the teacher."

   were

   The fixed phrase for advice is "If I were you".

4. 4. Complete this: "If they had booked early, they ___ (get) cheaper tickets."

   would have got

   A third conditional takes would have plus the past participle.

5. 5. Which conditional? "If I had studied medicine, I would be a doctor now."

   Mixed conditional.

   A past condition has a present result.

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