Grammar, compared
First vs second conditional
The first conditional is for real, possible futures. The second is for imaginary or unlikely ones.
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| First conditional | Second conditional |
|---|---|
| If I have time, I will call you. (Likely.) | If I had time, I would call you. (I don't have time.) |
| If it rains, we'll stay home. (Possible.) | If I won the lottery, I would travel. (Unlikely.) |
| If you study, you will pass. (A real chance.) | If I were you, I would study. (Advice.) |
How each one works
| Point | First conditional | Second conditional |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Real and possible | Imaginary or unlikely |
| If clause | if plus present simple | if plus past simple |
| Result | will plus base verb | would plus base verb |
| Example | If it rains, I will stay in. | If it rained, I would stay in. |
| Time | Future | Present or future, but not real |
Watch out if you speak Spanish
- Do not put will or would in the if clause. Say If I had, not If I would have.
- Spanish si tuviera is the past in English: if I had. Si tengo is if I have.
- Use if I were you for advice. If I was is common in speech, but were is the standard form.
- The if clause with the present simple still talks about the future: If it rains tomorrow.
Practice
Grammar practice
Choose or type the answer for each sentence, then check.
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Questions
- What about the zero and third conditionals?
- Zero is for facts: if you heat ice, it melts. Third is for the past that did not happen: if I had studied, I would have passed. Learn first and second first.
- Why is it if I were, not if I was?
- Were is the standard form after if, especially in advice. If I was is common in casual speech.
Keep going
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