Conditionals and wishes
Zero, first, second, third and mixed conditionals, plus wish, if only and would rather.
Conditional sentences link a condition (the if-clause) with a result (the main clause), and the verb forms must match the type of situation. The zero conditional (if + present, present) states general truths, while the first conditional (if + present, will) talks about real future possibilities. The second conditional (if + past, would) describes unreal or unlikely present situations, and the third conditional (if + past perfect, would have) talks about impossible past situations. Mixed conditionals combine a past condition with a present result, or a present condition with a past result. We also use 'wish' and 'if only' to express regrets and desires: wish + past simple for an unreal present, wish + past perfect for a past regret, and wish + would to complain about annoying behaviour. For example: 'If I were you, I would apologise' (second conditional, unreal present).
Rules
- 1Zero conditional: if/when + present simple, present simple (general truths). First conditional: if + present simple, will + base verb (real future).
- 2Second conditional: if + past simple, would + base verb (unreal/unlikely present); use 'were' for all persons after if.
- 3Third conditional: if + past perfect, would have + past participle (impossible past). Mixed: past condition -> present result, or present condition -> past result.
- 4Use 'unless' for 'if not', and 'as long as / provided that / on condition that' to set conditions.
- 5wish/if only + past simple = unreal present; + past perfect = past regret; + would = complaint about behaviour. 'would rather + past simple' expresses a preference about another person.
Practice
10 easy · 10 medium · 10 hard