Conditionals

Conditionals are sentences that describe what happens (or would happen) if a certain condition is met. You already know how to use Type 0 and Type 1 conditionals from P4. Now you will strengthen those skills and learn a new type -- the Type 2 conditional -- which lets you talk about imaginary or unlikely situations.

What You'll Learn

• How to confidently use Type 0 conditionals for facts and universal truths
• How to confidently use Type 1 conditionals for real or likely future events
• How to form and use Type 2 conditionals for hypothetical or imaginary situations
• Why you should use "were" instead of "was" in Type 2 if-clauses (the subjunctive)

When to Use

1. Universal truths and scientific facts (Type 0): "If you freeze water, it turns into ice."
2. Real or likely future events (Type 1): "If she finishes her revision early, she will join us at the playground."
3. Imaginary situations that are not real right now (Type 2): "If I were a bird, I would fly over the whole of Singapore."
4. Unlikely or hypothetical wishes (Type 2): "If he had more pocket money, he would buy a new book from the school bookshop."
5. Giving advice using an imaginary situation (Type 2): "If I were you, I would apologise to her."

How to Form

Type 0 -- Zero Conditional (Universal Truths)

Use this when the result always happens whenever the condition is true. Both clauses use the simple present tense.

Type 1 -- First Conditional (Real Future)

Use this when the condition is possible or likely to happen. The if-clause uses the present tense, and the main clause uses will + base verb.

Type 2 -- Second Conditional (Hypothetical Present/Future)

Use this for situations that are imaginary, unlikely, or not true right now. The if-clause uses the simple past tense (or were for all subjects), and the main clause uses would + base verb.

Important: In Type 2 conditionals, use "were" for all subjects, not "was". This special form is called the subjunctive.

• "If I were a doctor..." (Not: If I was a doctor...)
• "If he were taller..." (Not: If he was taller...)

Key Rules

1. Type 0 uses present tense in both clauses: The condition and the result are both in the simple present because the result is always true. "If you drop a glass, it breaks."

2. Type 1 uses present tense + will: The if-clause takes the present tense, and the main clause uses "will" + base verb. Never put "will" in the if-clause. "If she studies hard, she will do well." (Not: If she will study hard...)

3. Type 2 uses past tense + would: The if-clause uses the simple past tense (or "were"), and the main clause uses "would" + base verb. Even though the if-clause uses the past tense, the meaning is about the present or future, not the past. "If I knew the answer, I would tell you."

4. Always use "were" (not "was") in Type 2 if-clauses: For all subjects -- I, he, she, it -- use "were" when the situation is imaginary. "If it were a holiday today, I would sleep in." This is called the subjunctive mood.

5. Do not mix conditional types: Keep the if-clause and the main clause in the same type. Do not write "If I were rich, I will buy a car." The correct form is "If I were rich, I would buy a car." (Type 2 uses "would", not "will".)

6. The if-clause can come first or second: When the if-clause comes first, put a comma before the main clause. When the main clause comes first, no comma is needed. "If I were you, I would study harder." / "I would study harder if I were you."

Common Mistakes

Clue Words

Type 0 clue words (facts and general truths)

always, every time, whenever, generally

Type 1 clue words (real future possibility)

tomorrow, next week, soon, if...will, probably

Type 2 clue words (hypothetical/imaginary now)

were, would, imagine, suppose, what if

Distinguishing Type 1 from Type 2

• Type 1 (likely): "If I save enough money, I will buy that book." (This could really happen.)
• Type 2 (unlikely/imaginary): "If I had a million dollars, I would buy a private island." (This is a fantasy.)

Tip: Check the verb in the if-clause. If it is in the present tense, the sentence is Type 0 or Type 1. If it is in the past tense or uses "were", the sentence is Type 2. The tense of the if-clause is the best clue for identifying the conditional type.

Practice Tips

1. Tense-matching check: After writing a conditional sentence, draw a line from the if-clause to the main clause and check the tense pair. Present + present = Type 0. Present + will = Type 1. Past/were + would = Type 2. If the pair does not match, fix it.

2. The "were" habit: Whenever you write a Type 2 conditional, automatically write "were" for every subject. Train yourself to say "If I were...", "If he were...", "If it were..." until it feels natural.

3. Reality check: Before choosing a conditional type, ask yourself: Is this always true? (Type 0.) Is this possible in the future? (Type 1.) Is this imaginary right now? (Type 2.) Your answer tells you which type to use.

4. Rewrite practice: Take a Type 1 sentence and turn it into a Type 2 sentence to feel the difference. Type 1: "If I study hard, I will pass." Type 2: "If I studied hard, I would pass." Notice how the meaning shifts from a real plan to a hypothetical idea.

Quick Reference