Conditionals in English

In this lesson, I introduce the concept of conditionals in English and I briefly describe the 4 main types. There are links to detailed lessons for each type of conditional.

Structure of conditionals

A conditional sentence has 2 parts:

A condition (a situation or circumstance)
A result or consequence

If the condition is true, then the result will happen.

Example:
If it rains, I will take an umbrella.

The order of words in a conditional sentence is important. We have 2 choices for the form:

Form 1

if + condition + result

We write the condition BEFORE the result. We write a comma (,) after the condition and before the result to represent a slight pause in speech.

Example:
If the shop is open, I will buy a shirt.

Form 2

result + if + condition

We write the condition AFTER the result. There is no comma because there is no pause in the spoken English when we say the sentence.

Example:
I will buy a shirt if the shop is open.

Types of conditionals

There are 4 main types of conditionals in English. They are very briefly defined below along with an example and a link to a detailed lesson for each one.

Zero conditional

Use: to describe facts and things that are always true.
Example: If you heat ice-cream, it melts.
Link to lesson: Zero conditionals in English

First conditional

Use: to describe a real possibility in the future.
Example: If he passes his English exam, Andrew will be pleased.
Link to lesson: First conditionals in English

Second conditional

Use: to describe an improbable event in the future.
Example: If I won the lottery, I would buy a house.
Link to lesson: (Coming soon.)

Third conditional

Use: to describe an event from the past that did NOT happen.
Example: If I had won the lottery, I would have bought a house.
Link to lesson: (Coming soon.)