USAGE
When is zero conditional used?
To talk about scientific facts, general truths and rules.
The weather / be as sunny tomorrow as it is today / we / go surfing
"If the weather is as sunny tomorrow as it is today, we will go surfing."
If I played the lottery, I ______ (have) a chance to hit the jackpot.
would have
Chuck is not usually a bad student, but he failed his midterm exam because he didn't study for it.
"If Chuck had studied, he wouldn't have failed his midterm exam."
When do we use first conditional?
To talk about real possibilities in the present and the future.
I / meet a genie / I / ask him for my three wishes
"If I met a genie I would ask him for my three wishes"
Unless you ______ (pay) the fine, you won't be able to park here again.
pay
I want to work outside today, but that won't be possible because it's raining.
"If it weren't raining, I would work outside today."
When is the second conditional used?
To talk about imaginary and hypothetical situations in the present or the future. To give advice.
you / smoke / you / get yellow teeth
"If you smoke, you get yellow teeth."
If you ________(not do) your homework, you __________(be punished).
don´t do, will be punished
I'll try to give your message to Ted, but I'm not sure whether I'll see him or not.
"If I see Ted, I'll give him your message."
When is the third conditional used?
To talk about imaginary and unreal situations in the past.
I / never / speak to you again / you / forget my birthday
"I'll never speak to you again if you forget my birthday".
If I ___________(be) a baby, I __________(sleep) and _______(play) all day.
were, would sleep, (would) play
My boss wants to send me to Japan. I'll try sushi.
"If my boss sends me to Japan, I’ll try sushi."
What is the structure of the first, second and third conditionals?
1st: If + S + present simple, S + WILL / CAN / MAY + Vinf
2nd: If + S + past simple, S + WOULD / COULD / MIGHT + Vinf
3rd: If + S + past perfect, S + WOULD / COULD / MIGHT + HAVE + pp
I / not felt sick / yesterday / I / not eat so much
"I wouldn't have felt sick yesterday, if I hadn't eaten so much."
What cities _______ you _________ (visit) if you had been to South Africa last year?
would you have visited
Kathy wants to go to the movies but doesn't have any money.
"If Kathy had some money, she would go to the movies"