Conditional Mood in English

The Conditional mood is used to express hypothetical situations, possibilities, and their consequences. It allows us to talk about what would happen, what might happen, or what would have happened under different circumstances. Conditionals are essential for discussing possibilities, giving advice, expressing wishes, and talking about cause and effect relationships.

In English, we use different types of conditionals depending on how real or probable the situation is. Each type has its own structure and is used in specific contexts. Understanding conditionals will greatly enhance your ability to express complex ideas and engage in sophisticated conversations.

1. Types of Conditionals

There are four main types of conditionals in English, plus mixed conditionals:

Type Name Use Probability
Zero General Truth Facts, general truths, scientific facts Always true
First Real Conditional Possible/probable future situations Very likely
Second Unreal Present Hypothetical present/future situations Unlikely/imaginary
Third Unreal Past Hypothetical past situations Impossible (past)
Mixed Mixed Time Past condition with present result (or vice versa) Impossible

2. Zero Conditional - General Truths

Structure

If/When + Present Simple, Present Simple

The Zero Conditional is used for facts and general truths that are always true when the condition is met.

If-clause (Condition) Main clause (Result) Complete Sentence
If water reaches 100°C it boils If water reaches 100°C, it boils.
When the sun sets it gets dark When the sun sets, it gets dark.
If you mix red and blue you get purple If you mix red and blue, you get purple.
When plants don't get water they die When plants don't get water, they die.
Common Uses:
  • Scientific facts: If you heat ice, it melts.
  • General truths: If people eat too much, they gain weight.
  • Instructions: If the red light appears, press the stop button.
  • Habits: When I have a headache, I take an aspirin.

Note: In Zero Conditional, "if" and "when" are often interchangeable because we're talking about situations that always have the same result.

3. First Conditional - Real Possibilities

Structure

If + Present Simple, will + base verb

The First Conditional is used for real and possible situations in the future. These are things that are likely to happen if the condition is met.

If-clause (Condition) Main clause (Result) Complete Sentence
If it rains tomorrow I will stay home If it rains tomorrow, I will stay home.
If she studies hard she will pass the exam If she studies hard, she will pass the exam.
If you come early we will have time to talk If you come early, we will have time to talk.
If the weather is nice they will go to the beach If the weather is nice, they will go to the beach.
If I get the job I will move to London If I get the job, I will move to London.
Variations in the Main Clause:

Instead of "will," you can use other modal verbs or future forms:

  • Can: If you finish early, you can leave.
  • Might/May: If it's sunny, we might have a picnic.
  • Should: If you feel sick, you should see a doctor.
  • Going to: If he keeps spending, he is going to run out of money.
  • Imperative: If you see John, tell him to call me.
Common Uses:
  • Warnings: If you touch that wire, you'll get an electric shock.
  • Promises: If you help me, I'll help you later.
  • Threats: If you're late again, you'll lose your job.
  • Offers: If you need help, I'll be happy to assist.
  • Predictions: If the economy improves, unemployment will decrease.

4. Second Conditional - Unreal Present/Future

Structure

If + Past Simple, would + base verb

The Second Conditional is used for hypothetical or unlikely situations in the present or future. These are imaginary situations that are not true now and probably won't be true in the future.

If-clause (Condition) Main clause (Result) Complete Sentence
If I had a million dollars I would buy a house If I had a million dollars, I would buy a house.
If she knew his number she would call him If she knew his number, she would call him.
If I were* you I would accept the offer If I were you, I would accept the offer.
If we lived in Paris we would speak French If we lived in Paris, we would speak French.
If he had more time he would learn to play guitar If he had more time, he would learn to play guitar.

Important: With the verb "be" in the if-clause, we traditionally use "were" for all subjects (I were, he were, etc.). This is more formal. In informal speech, "was" is also common with I/he/she/it.

  • Formal: If I were rich, I would travel the world.
  • Informal: If I was rich, I would travel the world.
Variations in the Main Clause:
  • Could: If I had a car, I could drive to work.
  • Might: If you asked nicely, he might help you.
  • Should: If I were in your position, I should complain.
Common Uses:
  • Giving advice: If I were you, I would talk to the manager.
  • Imaginary situations: If I could fly, I would visit every country.
  • Unlikely possibilities: If it snowed in summer, we would be very surprised.
  • Dreams and wishes: If I won the lottery, I would quit my job.
  • Polite requests: If you had time, would you help me with this?

5. Third Conditional - Unreal Past

Structure

If + Past Perfect, would have + past participle

The Third Conditional is used for hypothetical situations in the past. These are situations that didn't happen, and we imagine what the result would have been.

If-clause (Condition) Main clause (Result) Complete Sentence
If I had studied harder I would have passed the exam If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.
If she had left earlier she would have caught the train If she had left earlier, she would have caught the train.
If they had saved money they would have bought a car If they had saved money, they would have bought a car.
If we had known about the party we would have come If we had known about the party, we would have come.
If it had rained the plants would have survived If it had rained, the plants would have survived.
Variations in the Main Clause:
  • Could have: If I had seen him, I could have warned him.
  • Might have: If they had tried harder, they might have succeeded.
  • Should have: If he had asked for help, we should have assisted him.
Common Uses:
  • Regrets: If I had listened to my parents, I would have avoided many problems.
  • Criticism: If you had been more careful, you wouldn't have broken it.
  • Explanations: If the weather had been better, we would have had a picnic.
  • Relief: If I hadn't stopped in time, I would have hit the car.

6. Mixed Conditionals

Mixed conditionals combine different time frames. The most common types mix past conditions with present results, or present conditions with past results.

Type 1: Past Condition → Present Result

If + Past Perfect, would + base verb

  • If I had studied medicine, I would be a doctor now.
  • If she had accepted the job in Tokyo, she would live in Japan.
  • If they had invested wisely, they would be rich today.

Type 2: Present Condition → Past Result

If + Past Simple, would have + past participle

  • If I spoke French, I would have understood the movie.
  • If he were more organized, he wouldn't have missed the deadline.
  • If she didn't live so far away, I would have visited her more often.

Key Point: Mixed conditionals show how past events affect the present, or how present/general facts would have affected the past.

7. Alternative Conditional Expressions

Besides "if," there are other ways to express conditions:

Unless (= if not)

  • Unless you study, you won't pass. (= If you don't study, you won't pass.)
  • I'll go to the party unless I have to work.

Provided/Providing (that)

  • You can borrow my car provided you return it by 5 PM.
  • I'll help you providing you help me later.

As long as

  • You can stay here as long as you're quiet.
  • As long as the weather is good, we'll have the picnic.

In case

  • Take an umbrella in case it rains.
  • I'll leave my phone on in case you need to call.

Even if

  • Even if I had the money, I wouldn't buy that car.
  • I'll support you even if everyone else disagrees.

8. Word Order and Comma Usage

Conditional sentences can be structured in two ways:

If-clause first (use comma)

  • If it rains, I'll stay home.
  • If I were rich, I would travel the world.
  • If you had called, I would have answered.

Main clause first (no comma)

  • I'll stay home if it rains.
  • I would travel the world if I were rich.
  • I would have answered if you had called.

Remember: Use a comma when the if-clause comes first. Don't use a comma when the main clause comes first.

9. Common Mistakes with Conditionals

Incorrect Correct Explanation
If I will see him, I will tell him. If I see him, I will tell him. Don't use "will" in the if-clause of First Conditional.
If I would have money, I would buy it. If I had money, I would buy it. Use Past Simple (not would) in if-clause of Second Conditional.
If he studied, he would have passed. If he had studied, he would have passed. Use Past Perfect in if-clause of Third Conditional.
If water will boil, it evaporates. If water boils, it evaporates. Use Present Simple in both clauses of Zero Conditional.
If I was you, I would accept. If I were you, I would accept. Use "were" (not "was") in formal Second Conditional with "I".
If she would have known, she came. If she had known, she would have come. Use correct structure for Third Conditional.

Practice Test - Identifying Conditional Types

Identify which type of conditional each sentence represents.

1. If you heat water to 100°C, it boils.

2. If I win the lottery tomorrow, I'll quit my job.

3. If I were a bird, I would fly to tropical islands.

4. If she had studied medicine, she would have become a doctor.

5. If I had accepted that job, I would be living in New York now.

Complete the Sentences

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb.

Choose the Correct Form

Select the correct verb form to complete each conditional sentence.

1. If I ______ more money, I would travel around the world.

2. She ______ the exam if she studies tonight.

3. If we had left earlier, we ______ the traffic.

4. If you mix yellow and blue, you ______ green.

5. If I ______ the answer, I would tell you.

Complete the Conditional Sentences

Complete each sentence with the appropriate result clause.

1. If I see him tomorrow, ______.

2. If I were the president, ______.

3. If she had known about the meeting, ______.

4. If you press this button, ______.

5. If he had studied harder, ______ now.

Summary: Key Points to Remember

  1. Zero Conditional: Present + Present (general truths, facts)
  2. First Conditional: Present + will (real future possibilities)
  3. Second Conditional: Past + would (unreal present/future)
  4. Third Conditional: Past Perfect + would have (unreal past)
  5. Mixed Conditionals: Combine different time frames
  6. Use "were" (not "was") with I/he/she/it in formal Second Conditional
  7. Never use "will" in the if-clause (except for requests)
  8. Use comma when if-clause comes first
  9. Alternative expressions: unless, provided, as long as, in case
  10. Choose the right conditional based on probability and time frame

Mastering conditionals allows you to express complex ideas about possibilities, probabilities, and hypothetical situations. Each type serves a specific purpose, from stating facts (Zero) to imagining impossible past scenarios (Third). Practice using different types in various contexts to become more confident in expressing conditions and their consequences. Remember that the choice of conditional depends on how real or probable the situation is, and whether you're talking about the present, future, or past!