English conditionals can feel confusing at first, but once you understand the patterns, they become very easy to use in daily conversation. In this guide, we will learn Zero, First, Second, and Third Conditional sentences with clear rules and real-life examples.
By the end, you will be able to confidently use if-clauses in speech and writing.
Zero Conditional talks about Facts & General Truths
Rule:
If + Present Simple → Present Simple
We use this when the result is always true, like facts, rules, or habits.
Examples
| Meaning | Sentence |
|---|---|
| Scientific fact | If you heat water to 100°C, it boils. |
| Daily truth | If you don't eat, you get hungry. |
| Habit | If he finishes work early, he goes to the gym. |
| Warning | If you touch fire, you get burned. |
💡 Use Zero Conditional when the result always happens.
First Conditional — Real Future Possibility
Rule:
If + Present → Will / Can / May
Used for future plans or real situations.
Examples
| Meaning | Sentence |
|---|---|
| Real future plan | If I study hard, I will pass the exam. |
| Weather example | If it rains, we will stay home. |
| Advice | If you drink water, you may feel better. |
| Goal | If you practice every day, you can improve fast. |
💡 This is used when the situation is possible.
Second Conditional — Unreal & Imaginary Now
Rule:
If + Past Simple → Would / Could
Used for dreams, imagination, and things unlikely to happen now.
Examples
| Meaning | Sentence |
|---|---|
| Dream/wish | If I had a car, I would travel more. |
| Imagination | If I were rich, I would build a school. |
| Advice | If I were you, I would learn English daily. |
| Impossible now | If she knew his number, she would call him. |
💡 Think “not real right now.”
Third Conditional — Past Regrets & Lessons
Rule:
If + Past Perfect → Would Have / Could Have
Used for things we cannot change in the past.
Examples
| Meaning | Sentence |
|---|---|
| Regret | If I had studied harder, I would have passed the test. |
| Lost chance | If they had arrived early, they could have met the manager. |
| Lesson | If she had saved money, she wouldn't have struggled. |
💡 Think past wishes or regrets.
Quick Summary Table
| Type | Structure | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zero | If + Present → Present | Facts, habits | If you work hard, you succeed. |
| First | If + Present → Will | Real future | If it rains, we will stay home. |
| Second | If + Past → Would | Unreal now | If I had money, I would buy a car. |
| Third | If + Had + PP → Would Have | Unreal past | If he had called, I would have gone. |
Helpful Links
Learn how to use In spite of and Despite easily:
https://www.braverwanda.com/2025/10/how-to-use-in-spite-of-and-despite-with.html
Cambridge conditionals explanation:
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/conditionals
Final Motivation
Learning if-clauses takes practice, but don’t worry — even native speakers use them daily without thinking. Try making your own examples like:
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If I have time, I will study English. (First)
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If I had more free time, I would learn guitar. (Second)
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If I had slept early, I would have felt fresh. (Third)
-
If you eat too much sugar, you get sick. (Zero)
If you keep practicing, you will become an English master!
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