First Conditional (Real Conditional)
Form: If + present verb, will + base form of verb (no to or different ending for he or she)
When: Present/Future
This conditional shows a possible result that will probably happen if another condition happens.
- If she studies for the test, she will get a good grade.
- She will get a good grade if she studies for the test.
She will probably get a good grade after she studies for the test.
- If we take the train, we will be on time.
- We will be on time if we take the train.
We will be on time because we took the train.
Second Conditional (Unreal Conditional)
If + past verb, would + base form of verb (no to or different ending for he or she)
When: Present/Future
This conditional shows an unlikely or impossible action that probably wouldn't happen (unless another action happened).
Unlikely action:
- If we won the lottery, we would move to Spain.
- We would move to Spain if we won the lottery.
You probably will not win the lottery so you will probably not move to Spain.
Impossible action
- If I had gills, I could live underwater.
- I could live underwater if I had gills.
You cannot have gills so you cannot live underwater.
Third Conditional
Form: If + had + past participle, would + have + past participle
When: Past
This conditional shows a past action or different action that would have happened if another action had happened.
- If I had studied last night, I wouldn't have failed my test.
- I wouldn't have failed my test if I had studied last night.
He did not study and he failed his test. (both actions are finished)
- If I hadn't eaten so much candy, I wouldn't have had a stomachache.
- I wouldn't have had a stomachache if I hadn't eaten so much candy.
He ate too much candy and had a stomachache. (both actions are finished)
Were/Was?
In writing conditionals and in educated speaking, the past tense of to be, you use were instead of was no matter who you are talking about. This is an old rule that will probably disappear someday but for now it is still used.
- If I were you, I would go to college. (correct)
- If I was you, I would go to college. (incorrect)
- He would wash the dishes if she were here. (correct)
- He would wash the dishes if she was here. (incorrect)