B1Conditionals15 min

First and second conditionals

Talk about real possibilities in the future and imaginary situations in the present.

A conditional sentence has two parts: the if-clause (the condition) and the main clause (the result). The tenses we choose show how real or likely the situation is.

Type	Form	Example	Meaning
First conditional	if + present simple, will / won't + verb	If it rains tomorrow, we'll stay at home.	Rain is a real possibility.
Second conditional	if + past simple, would / wouldn't + verb	If I had a garden, I'd grow tomatoes.	I don't have a garden. This is imaginary.

In the second conditional, the past form does not mean past time. It shows distance from reality. With be, we often use were for every person, especially in careful English. If I were you, I would... is a common way to give advice. If I was is also common in everyday speech.

Compare: If I get the job, I'll move to Lisbon. (I've had an interview, so it's possible.) If I got a job in Lisbon, I'd move there. (I'm not looking for one. It's just an idea.)

Word order and other useful words

The if-clause can come first or second. Use a comma when it comes first. You can use unless to mean if not, and might or could in the main clause when the result is less certain.

We'll miss the bus if we don't leave now.
Unless you hurry, you'll be late.
If Ravi had more free time, he could learn the guitar.
What would you do if you found a wallet in the street?

Source

Original lesson by Joy English.

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