| Examples | Usage |
| Conditional 0 If I am late, my father takes me to school. She doesn't worry if Julian stays out after school. | Situations that are always true if something happens. NOTE This use is similiar to, and can usually be replaced by, a time clause using 'when' (example: When I am late, my father takes me to school.) |
| Conditional 1 If it rains, we will stay at home. He will arrive late unless he hurries up. Simon will buy a new car, if he gets his raise. | Often called the "real" conditional because it is used for real - or possible - situations. These situations take place if a certain condition is met. NOTE In the conditional 1 we often use unless which means 'if ... not'. In other words, '...unless he hurries up.' could also be written, '...if he doesn't hurry up.'. |
| Conditional 2 If he studied more, he would pass the exam. I would lower taxes if I were the the Prime Minister. They would buy a new house if they won the lottery. | Often called the "unreal" conditional because it is used for unreal - impossible or improbable - situations. This conditional provides an imaginary result for a given situation. NOTE The verb 'to be', when used in the 2nd conditional, is always conjugated as 'were'. |
| Conditional 3 If he had known that, he would have decided differently. Joanna would have found a new job if she had stayed in Gorzów. | Often referred to as the "past" conditional because it concerns only past situations with hypothetical results. Used to express a hypothetical result to a past given situation. |
| Conditional 0 is formed by the use of the present simple in the if clause followed by a comma + the present simple in the result clause. You can also put the result clause first without using a comma between the clauses.
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| Conditional 1 is formed by the use of the present simple in the if clause followed by a comma + will + verb (base form) in the result clause. You can also put the result clause first without using a comma between the clauses.
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| Conditional 2 is formed by the use of the past simple in the if clause followed by a comma + would + verb (base form) in the result clause. You can also put the result clause first without using a comma between the clauses.
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| Conditional 3 is formed by the use of the past perfect in the if clause followed by a comma + would have + past participle in the result clause. You can also put the result clause first without using a comma between the clauses.
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EXERCISES
Choose the correct conditional form to complete the sentences below. Once you have decided on your answer, click on the arrow to check your answer.
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