Conditionals: the basics

We use conditionals to talk about the result of something that happens, something that might happen, or something that we imagine happening.

They are formed of two clauses – the if/when clause and one to describe the result.

The clauses can be in either order. When the if/when clause comes first, there is a comma between them. When the result clause comes first, there is no comma.

The zero conditional

This is used to talk about things that are always true. We use if/when + present simple in one clause and present simple in the other clause:

• If you tease him, he gets angry.
• He gets angry if you tease him.

The first conditional

This is used to describe the result of things in the future that we believe are possible. We use if/when + present simple in one clause and will + infinitive in the other clause:

• If they offer me the job, I will accept it.
• I will accept the job if they offer it to me.

The second conditional

This is used to imagine situations that are not likely to happen. We use if + past simple in one clause and would + infinitive in the other clause:

• If I ruled the world, I would stop all wars.
• I would stop all wars if I ruled the world.

The third conditional

This is used to imagine the result of a situation that didn’t happen. We use if + past perfect in one clause and would + have + past participle in the other clause:

• If you had admitted your mistake, I wouldn’t have been so angry.
• I wouldn’t have been so angry if you had admitted your mistake.