Conditionals: If Clauses

Types of Conditionals

Zero Conditional

Real and always true facts
Structure: If + present, present
- If you heat water to 100°C, it boils.

First Conditional

Realistic future possibilities
Structure: If + present, will + base
- If it rains tomorrow, I will stay home.

Second Conditional

Unlikely or imaginary present/future
Structure: If + past, would + base
- If I had a million euros, I would travel the world.
- If I were you, I would apologize. (Note: use "were" not "was")

Third Conditional

Impossible past — things that didn't happen
Structure: If + past perfect, would have + past participle
- If she had studied harder, she would have passed the exam.

Common Mistakes

❌ If I would have money...
✅ If I had money...

❌ If I was rich...
✅ If I were rich... (second conditional)

Practice

Complete these sentences:
- If I speak English well, I _ (get) a better job.
- If the weather ___ (be) nice, we would go to the beach.