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Conditional Sentences

Zero first second and third conditionals

Zero conditional: general truths and facts

If + present → present. Always true.

📊 Conditional types
Type Structure Use
Zero If + present / present general truth
First If + present / will real future possibility
Second If + past / would unreal present/future
Third If + past perfect / would have unreal past
💬 Examples
If you heat water to 100°C it boils.
always true — scientific fact
📝 scientific fact
If I am late my boss gets angry.
always happens — habitual result
📝 habitual result
First conditional: real future possibilities

If + simple present → will + base verb.

💬 Examples
If it rains we will stay inside.
real possibility in the future
📝 real possibility
If she studies hard she will pass.
likely cause and likely result
📝 likely result
Second conditional: unreal present situations

If + simple past → would + base verb.

💬 Examples
If I had more money I would travel.
imaginary — I do not have more money
📝 imaginary present
If she were the president she would change things.
hypothetical — she is not the president
📝 hypothetical