Conditional sentences are essential when we talk about possibilities, plans, regrets, and imagined situations. In this unit, you’ll explore the full range of conditionals in English—from general truths (zero conditional), to real possibilities (first), imagined futures (second), and regrets about the past (third), including mixed conditionals and expressions like wish and if only.
You’ll learn how to form each type correctly, when to use them, and how to combine them with modal verbs for added nuance. This unit also emphasizes real-life use: giving advice, imagining different outcomes, making polite suggestions, and expressing dreams or hypothetical scenarios. By mastering conditionals, you’ll gain a powerful set of tools to express complexity and emotion in your English.

16.1 ZERO CONDITIONAL: FACTS AND GENERAL TRUTHS
Objective:
To learn how to use the zero conditional to express facts, rules, and things that are always true when a condition is met.

🔹 STRUCTURE OF ZERO CONDITIONAL
If-Clause    Main Clause
If + present simple    present simple
Example:    If you heat water, it boils.
✅ Both parts of the sentence use the present simple tense
✅ Used for facts, scientific truths, and general rules

🔸 EXAMPLES OF USE
Condition (If...)    Result (Then...)
If it rains,    the grass gets wet.
If you mix red and yellow,    you get orange.
If I eat too much sugar,    I feel sick.
If students don’t study,    they fail exams.
If you press this button,    the machine starts.
✅ The order can be reversed:
→ The grass gets wet if it rains.

🔹 COMMON TOPICS FOR ZERO CONDITIONAL
Context    Examples
Science    If you freeze water, it becomes ice.
Health    If you don’t sleep, you feel tired.
Instructions    If the light turns red, stop the car.
Habits    If I drink coffee at night, I can’t sleep.
Rules    If you break the rules, you get a warning.

🔸 SENTENCE PATTERNS
If + present simple, present simple
→ If you drop it, it breaks.
Present simple + if + present simple
→ It breaks if you drop it.

❗ COMMON MISTAKES
Mistake    Correction    Why?
If you will study, you pass.    If you study, you pass.    Use present simple, not “will”
If rains, the road is slippery.    If it rains, the road is slippery.    Subject “it” is missing
If you touch fire, it burns you.    ✔ Correct    Standard zero conditional
If I will arrive early, I call you.    If I arrive early, I call you.    No future in zero conditional

💬 EXAMPLE DIALOG
Emma: What happens if you leave the oven on?
Leo: If you leave it on too long, it overheats.
Emma: And if it overheats?
Leo: It shuts off automatically—safety feature.
Emma: Good to know. I burn everything if I’m not careful.

16.2 FIRST CONDITIONAL: REAL POSSIBILITIES
Objective:
To use the first conditional to talk about realistic future situations and their possible outcomes, using if + present simple + will.

🔹 STRUCTURE OF THE FIRST CONDITIONAL
If-Clause    Main Clause
If + present simple    will + base verb
Example:    If it rains, we’ll stay inside.
✅ Use for possible future actions that are likely to happen.

🔸 EXAMPLES IN CONTEXT
If… (condition)    Will… (result)
If I study hard,    I’ll pass the exam.
If she’s late,    we’ll start without her.
If we don’t hurry,    we won’t catch the bus.
If it gets cold,    they’ll close the windows.
If you help me,    I’ll finish faster.

🔹 COMMON TOPICS
Context    Example
Daily plans    If I have time, I’ll call you tonight.
Weather    If it snows, we’ll cancel the trip.
Travel    If we leave now, we’ll arrive by 5 p.m.
Work/school    If you’re late, you’ll lose points.
Health    If you eat too much, you’ll feel sick.

🔸 NEGATIVE AND QUESTIONS
Type    Structure    Example
Negative    If + present simple, won’t + verb    If he doesn’t call, we won’t go.
Question    What will you do if + present simple?    What will you do if she says no?

🔹 ALTERNATIVE ORDERS
Form A    Form B
If you don’t study, you’ll fail.    You’ll fail if you don’t study.
✅ Both are correct. Add a comma after the if-clause when it comes first.

❗ COMMON MISTAKES
Mistake    Correction    Why?
If it will rain, we’ll stay in.    If it rains, we’ll stay in.    “Will” not used in the “if” clause
We go to the park if the weather is nice.    We’ll go to the park if the weather is nice.    Use “will” in the result clause
If you will be late, tell me.    If you are late, tell me.    Use present, not “will,” after “if”

💬 EXAMPLE DIALOG
Jake: If I finish my report early, I’ll meet you for dinner.
Nina: Great! And if you don’t?
Jake: Then I’ll order takeout and stay in.
Nina: Fair enough. What will you eat if you stay home?
Jake: Probably pizza—if I have any left!

16.3 SECOND CONDITIONAL: UNREAL OR HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS
Objective:
To use the second conditional to talk about imaginary, unlikely, or hypothetical situations in the present or future, and their possible results.

🔹 STRUCTURE OF THE SECOND CONDITIONAL
If-Clause    Main Clause
If + past simple    would + base verb
Example:    If I won the lottery, I would travel the world.
✅ Use when the condition is not real, unlikely, or imagined.

🔸 EXAMPLES IN CONTEXT
If… (imagined condition)    Would… (imagined result)
If I had more time,    I’d learn another language.
If she were taller,    she would play basketball.
If we lived in Italy,    we’d eat pasta every day.
If I didn’t have to work,    I’d go to the beach.
If he spoke slower,    we could understand him.
✅ “Were” is used instead of “was” for all subjects in formal or written English:
→ If I were you, I’d call her.

🔹 COMMON USES
Situation Type    Example Sentence
Advice    If I were you, I’d talk to her.
Imaginary situation    If we had a car, we’d drive there.
Daydreams or fantasies    If I were famous, I’d live in Paris.
Regret or complaint    If I knew the answer, I’d tell you.

🔸 QUESTIONS AND NEGATIVES
Form    Example
Negative    If I didn’t love this job, I would quit.
Question    What would you do if you lived abroad?
Mixed    If it weren’t so expensive, I’d buy it.

🔹 MODALS IN THE RESULT CLAUSE
Modal    Example
would    She would love that.
could    I could visit more often.
might    He might feel better.
✅ These soften or adjust the degree of certainty or ability.

❗ COMMON MISTAKES
Mistake    Correction    Why?
If I will see him, I tell you.    If I saw him, I would tell you.    Use past simple + would
If I was you…    If I were you…    “Were” is correct in formal English
She would buys a car.    She would buy a car.    Use base verb after “would”
I’d go if I will have time.    I’d go if I had time.    No “will” in the if-clause

💬 EXAMPLE DIALOG
Lena: If you had a million euros, what would you do?
Carlos: I’d open a café on the beach.
Lena: That sounds amazing!
Carlos: What about you?
Lena: I’d travel the world—if I didn’t have to work, of course.

16.4 THIRD CONDITIONAL: REGRETS AND IMAGINED PAST
Objective:
To use the third conditional to talk about unreal past situations and their imagined consequences, often related to regret, criticism, or reflection.

🔹 STRUCTURE OF THE THIRD CONDITIONAL
If-Clause    Main Clause
If + past perfect (had + past participle)    would have + past participle
Example:    If I had studied, I would have passed the exam.
✅ Use to express what could have happened, but didn’t.

🔸 EXAMPLES IN CONTEXT
If… (past event that didn’t happen)    Would have… (imagined result)
If I had left earlier,    I wouldn’t have missed the train.
If she had told me the truth,    I would have helped her.
If we had saved more money,    we could have gone on holiday.
If they had practiced more,    they might have won the game.
If you hadn’t eaten so much,    you wouldn’t have felt sick.

🔹 TYPICAL CONTEXTS
Context    Example Sentence
Regret    I wish I had spoken up. If I had, things might be different.
Apologies    I’m sorry. If I had known, I wouldn’t have said that.
Blame    If you had listened, we wouldn’t be in this mess.
Hypothetical praise    If she had entered, she would have won.

🔸 QUESTIONS AND NEGATIVES
Form    Example
Negative    If he hadn’t lied, she would have trusted him.
Question    What would you have done if you had failed?
Modal variations    We might have finished earlier if they had helped.

🔹 MIXED MODALS
Modal    Use Example
would have    They would have invited us.
could have    I could have passed if I’d studied more.
might have    She might have accepted if you had asked.
✅ These allow different shades of possibility.

❗ COMMON MISTAKES
Mistake    Correction    Why?
If I studied, I would have passed.    If I had studied, I would have passed.    Past perfect needed in if-clause
If she didn’t go, she wouldn’t have met him.    If she hadn’t gone…    “Didn’t go” is not past perfect
I would had helped you.    I would have helped you.    “Would” + “have,” never “had”
If he would have come, we start.    If he had come, we would have started.    Both clauses need proper form

💬 EXAMPLE DIALOG
Marta: I missed my flight yesterday.
James: Oh no! What happened?
Marta: If I had left five minutes earlier, I would have made it.
James: That’s tough. Did they reschedule you?
Marta: Yes, luckily. But I could have avoided all the stress.

16.5 WISH AND IF ONLY: EXPRESSING WISHES
Objective:
To use wish and if only to express regrets, unreal desires, and hypothetical changes in the present, past, or future.

🔹 WISHING ABOUT THE PRESENT (UNREAL SITUATIONS)
Structure    Example
wish + past simple    I wish I had more free time.
if only + past simple    If only I were taller.
✅ Use when the current situation is not how you want it to be
✅ “Were” is used for all subjects: I wish I were… (formal) or I was (informal)

🔸 WISHING ABOUT THE PAST (REGRET)
Structure    Example
wish + past perfect    I wish I had studied harder.
if only + past perfect    If only we had left earlier.
✅ Use when you’re talking about something that didn’t happen and you regret it

🔹 WISHING FOR THE FUTURE (DESIRES OR ANNOYANCES)
Structure    Example
wish + would + base verb    I wish he would stop talking.
if only + would    If only it would stop raining.
✅ Use when you want someone or something to change in the future
✅ Often shows annoyance or impatience

🔸 COMMON CONTEXTS AND USES
Type of Wish    Example
Present reality    I wish I knew the answer. (but I don’t)
Past regret    She wishes she had gone to university.
Future hope/annoyance    I wish it would be sunny tomorrow.

🧠 SENTENCE PATTERNS
I wish + past simple → I wish I had a car.
I wish + past perfect → I wish I had gone to the party.
I wish + would + verb → I wish people would be more respectful.
If only + (same structure as “wish”) → If only I hadn’t said that.

❗ COMMON MISTAKES
Mistake    Correction    Why?
I wish I have a better job.    I wish I had a better job.    Use past simple for present wish
If only I went to the doctor.    If only I had gone to the doctor.    Past regret = past perfect
I wish she will stop talking.    I wish she would stop talking.    “Wish” + “would” for future annoyance
I wish I was there.    ✔ Acceptable, but were is preferred formally    “Were” is correct for all subjects

💬 EXAMPLE DIALOG
Tom: I wish I had taken more photos during the trip.
Leila: Yeah, me too. If only we had remembered the camera!
Tom: At least we have some memories.
Leila: True. I just wish we could go back and do it again.
Tom: Maybe next year! And this time, I hope it won’t rain so much.

16.6 CONDITIONALS WITH MODALS
Objective:
To use modal verbs (can, could, might, would, should) within conditional sentences to express ability, possibility, permission, advice, or hypothetical outcomes more precisely.

🔹 FIRST CONDITIONAL WITH MODALS
Structure    Example
If + present simple, modal (can/may/should/will) + base verb    If you study more, you can pass the test.
    If it rains, we might stay home.
    If you’re tired, you should rest.
✅ Use when the condition is likely or real, but you want to express something other than certainty.

🔸 SECOND CONDITIONAL WITH MODALS
Structure    Example
If + past simple, modal (would/could/might/should) + base verb    If I had more money, I could buy a car.
    If he studied more, he might pass.
    If I were you, I would talk to her.
✅ Use when the condition is hypothetical or unlikely, and you want to show possibility, ability, or advice.

🔹 THIRD CONDITIONAL WITH MODALS
Structure    Example
If + past perfect, modal + have + past participle    If she had left earlier, she could have caught the train.
    If we had trained harder, we might have won.
    If you had told me, I would have helped you.
✅ Use when referring to imaginary past situations and what could have happened differently.

🔸 COMMON MODALS USED IN CONDITIONALS
Modal    Function    Example
can / could    ability / possibility    If you work hard, you can succeed. / If I were taller, I could play basketball.
might    possibility    If you call him, he might answer.
should    advice / recommendation    If you’re sick, you should see a doctor.
would    imagined result or decision    If I were you, I would apologize.
may    permission or possibility    If you finish early, you may leave.

🧠 SUMMARY OF FORMS
Conditional Type    If-Clause    Result Clause with Modal
First    present simple    modal + base verb
Second    past simple    modal + base verb
Third    past perfect    modal + have + past participle

❗ COMMON MISTAKES
Mistake    Correction    Why?
If I will go, I can help you.    If I go, I can help you.    No “will” in if-clause
If I would know, I would tell you.    If I knew, I would tell you.    Use past simple for 2nd conditional
If she had listened, she will have learned more.    If she had listened, she would have learned more.    Use would have + participle in 3rd conditional
If you would study, you might pass.    If you studied, you might pass.    Past simple, not “would,” in if-clause

💬 EXAMPLE DIALOG
Alex: If I had known about the concert, I would have gone with you.
Jamie: Yeah, and if you’d come, we could have taken my car.
Alex: Next time, if you hear about anything like that, you should tell me.
Jamie: Of course! And if I can, I’ll save you a ticket.

16.7 MIXED CONDITIONALS
Objective:
To use mixed conditionals to talk about situations where the time in the if-clause and the time in the result clause are different—typically combining past and present or past and future ideas.

🔹 MIXED CONDITIONAL TYPE 1: PAST → PRESENT RESULT
Structure    Example
If + past perfect, would + base verb    If I had studied medicine, I would be a doctor now.
Meaning    The past didn’t happen → this is the result now
✅ Use when a past condition affects a present situation.

🔸 MIXED CONDITIONAL TYPE 2: PRESENT → PAST RESULT
Structure    Example
If + past simple, would have + past participle    If I were more organized, I would have finished earlier.
Meaning    The current state caused a result in the past
✅ Less common, but used when a present quality or reality explains a past consequence.

🔹 COMPARISON OF CONDITIONAL TYPES
Type    If-Clause    Result Clause    Example
3rd (past → past)    past perfect    would have + past participle    If I had left earlier, I would have arrived on time.
Mixed (past → present)    past perfect    would + base verb    If I had saved more, I would be rich now.
Mixed (present → past)    past simple    would have + past participle    If I were more careful, I wouldn’t have broken it.

🔸 MORE EXAMPLES – PAST → PRESENT
If-Clause    Result Clause
If she had gone to university,    she would have a better job now.
If we had moved to Canada,    we would be living in Toronto.

🔹 MORE EXAMPLES – PRESENT → PAST
If-Clause    Result Clause
If I were smarter,    I would have solved it faster.
If he didn’t care so much,    he wouldn’t have gotten upset.

🧠 KEY NOTES
Use past perfect in the if-clause for past conditions.
Use would + verb for present/future results.
Use would have + past participle for past results.

❗ COMMON MISTAKES
Mistake    Correction    Why?
If I had studied, I would be passed the test.    If I had studied, I would have passed the test.    Past result → use “would have”
If I was rich, I would have a yacht.    If I had been rich, I would have a yacht now.    Mixed condition needs correct tense pairing
If I have known, I would tell you.    If I had known, I would tell you.    “Had known” for unreal past

💬 EXAMPLE DIALOG
Eli: If I had gone to that school, I’d be living in the US now.
Sasha: Yeah, and if you spoke better English, you might have gotten the scholarship.
Eli: True… If only I had taken those classes seriously.
Sasha: It’s never too late! You wouldn’t have missed so many chances if you had believed in yourself earlier.

16.8 USING CONDITIONALS IN REAL-LIFE CONTEXTS
Objective:
To apply zero, first, second, third, and mixed conditionals in natural conversations, making predictions, giving advice, expressing regrets, or imagining alternatives in everyday situations.

🔹 EVERYDAY USE OF CONDITIONAL TYPES
Conditional Type    Real-life Function    Example
Zero    Facts, rules, cause-effect    If you don’t water plants, they die.
First    Plans, warnings, offers, possibilities    If it rains, we’ll cancel the picnic.
Second    Advice, dreams, unreal present/future    If I were you, I’d talk to him.
Third    Regrets, excuses, blame    If we had left earlier, we wouldn’t have missed it.
Mixed    Past-present or present-past situations    If I had studied more, I’d be more confident now.

🔸 REAL-LIFE SCENARIOS AND EXAMPLES
1. Making Decisions
If you don’t apply now, you won’t get the job. (1st)
If I had known about the deadline, I would have submitted it. (3rd)
2. Giving Advice
If I were you, I’d speak to the manager. (2nd)
If he studied more, he could pass the exam. (2nd)
3. Expressing Regrets or Complaints
If they had told us, we wouldn’t have made that mistake. (3rd)
If we hadn’t forgotten the tickets, we’d be watching the show right now. (mixed)
4. Making Plans or Predictions
If I finish early, I’ll call you. (1st)
If we take the train, we’ll get there faster. (1st)
5. Describing Routines or Instructions
If the printer doesn’t work, press this button. (zero)
If the water reaches 100°C, it boils. (zero)

🔹 SPEAKING PATTERNS FOR EVERYDAY ENGLISH
Purpose    Phrases
Softening advice    If I were you, I’d… / You might want to…
Imagining change    If things were different, I’d…
Checking consequences    What will happen if…?
Showing frustration    If he had only listened…
Making polite suggestions    If we met tomorrow, would that work?

❗ COMMON REAL-LIFE MISTAKES
Mistake    Correction
If it will rain, we’ll cancel.    If it rains, we’ll cancel.
If I know the answer, I’d tell you.    If I knew the answer, I’d tell you.
If you had helped, we will finish.    If you had helped, we would have finished.

💬 EXAMPLE DIALOG
Mark: If we leave now, we’ll make it in time.
Nora: But what if the traffic’s bad?
Mark: Then we might be a little late. Still better than waiting.
Nora: Honestly, if I hadn’t been so tired, I’d have packed last night.
Mark: It’s fine. If you need help next time, just ask!

16.9 UNIT 16 REVIEW
Objective:
To review all types of conditional sentences, their structures, meanings, and real-life applications, including expressions of possibility, hypothesis, advice, regret, and mixed timeframes.

📘 WHAT YOU LEARNED IN THIS UNIT
🔹 ZERO CONDITIONAL – FACTS AND GENERAL TRUTHS
Structure: If + present simple, present simple
If you don’t water plants, they die.

🔹 FIRST CONDITIONAL – REAL POSSIBILITIES
Structure: If + present simple, will + base verb
If it rains, we’ll stay home.

🔹 SECOND CONDITIONAL – UNREAL PRESENT OR FUTURE
Structure: If + past simple, would + base verb
If I were rich, I’d travel the world.

🔹 THIRD CONDITIONAL – PAST REGRETS
Structure: If + past perfect, would have + past participle
If I had studied more, I would have passed the test.

🔹 WISH AND IF ONLY
I wish I knew the answer. (present)
If only I had studied harder. (past)
I wish it would stop raining. (future annoyance)

🔹 CONDITIONALS WITH MODALS
If you try harder, you can win. (1st)
If I were you, I might wait. (2nd)
If she had told me, I could have helped. (3rd)

🔹 MIXED CONDITIONALS
Past → Present: If I had studied medicine, I’d be a doctor now.
Present → Past: If I were more careful, I wouldn’t have made that mistake.

🔹 REAL-LIFE CONTEXT APPLICATIONS
Giving advice: If I were you…
Expressing regret: If we had planned better…
Making predictions: If we leave now, we’ll catch the train.
Describing routines: If you press this button, it starts.

🔹 LISTENING PRACTICE
Recognizing conditionals in conversations
Understanding intent (regret, advice, imagination)
Responding with appropriate conditional forms

💬 EXAMPLE DIALOG
Ben: If I had brought my umbrella, I wouldn’t be soaked right now.
Ava: Yeah, and if we had left earlier, we could have avoided the storm.
Ben: I guess if I learn from this, I’ll always check the weather first.
Ava: Smart thinking. If only I had done the same!