What's Zero, First, Second and Third Conditional?
Conditional use means that one action depends on another. Conditionals are used to discuss real or unreal. In general, conditional sentences have the word "if"
Note that there's no conditional tense for English and Spanish too. At the same time, we use the auxiliary verb "would" to form the conditional in English.
There are four types of conditional sentences, and the use of one over another reflects the likelihood of action.
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| What's Zero, First, Second and Third Conditional? |
Zero conditional
Type 0 is used when the condition of the conditional and the results are always true, such as scientific facts.
➤ If condition result : if + present simple + present simple.
Example:
➧ If you heat water to 100°C, it boils. Water boils if you heat it to 100°C.
➧ If I don't practice the guitar every day I play poorly. I play the guitar poorly if I don't practice every day.
⧫ Note that we can change the order of these sentences without changing the meaning. In general, with this type, we can replace "if" by "when" without altering the meaning.
First conditional
Type 1 is used for the future and in cases where it's likely that the condition will pass.
➤ If condition result : If + simple present + simple future "will".
Example:
➧ If men and women keep eating junk food, they'll get impotence and frigidity. Men and women will get impotence and frigidity if they keep eating junk food.
⧫ Note that you can use some model verbs instead of "will" to change the probability or express an opinion.
➧ If It doesn't rain, may we play tennis? (With the use of "may", the meaning of this phrase changes. Now, the speaker recognizes that they can play tennis but not so sure if it'll rain).
➧ If it doesn't rain, should we play tennis? (In this case, the use of "should" expresses the speaker's opinion)
➧ If It doesn't rain, can we play tennis? ("Can" means they can go to the beach, but there's no indication of the probability).
Second conditional
Type 2 is used to express an unrealistic possibility in the present, as a wish or a dream, or an action in the future's not likely to happen.
➤ If condition result : If + past simple + Would + infinitive.
Example:
➧ If I inherited a lot of money, I'd invest in e-commerce. I'd invest in e-commerce if I inherited a lot of money.
➧ Would you be healthy if you were to quit smoking?. If you were to quit smoking, would you be healthy?
⧫ Note as in type 1, we can use other model verbs instead of "would" to change the meaning and possibility.
Third conditional
Type 3, in contrast to types 1 and 2, is using the 3rd type of probation when it comes to a condition in the past that hasn't succeeded.
➤ If condition result : If + past perfect + Would have + past participle.
Example:
➧ If I had studied the verified translations as I do now, I would have translated sentences differently. I would have translated sentences differently if I had studied the verified translations (If I had studied the verified translations in the past, I would have translated sentences differently)
➧ Brianna would have had the heart attack if she had gone on a diet. If Brianna had gone on a diet she would have had the heart attack (Brianna wouldn't have the heart attack if she had made diet)
➧ Would you have liked to go to the mall if you had been able to buy what you need?. If you had been able to buy what you need, would you have liked to go to the mall?
⧫ Note as in types 1 and 2, we can use other model verbs instead of "would" to change the meaning and probability.
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I welcome your comments, suggestions, and advice to continue learning and creativity!