Conditionals — Ampersand Lab

Zero Conditional

The zero conditional is used to talk about general truths, scientific facts, and things that are always true.

If you heat water to 100°C, it boils

The first conditional is used to talk about real and possible situations in the future.

If it rains tomorrow, I will stay home

The second conditional is used to talk about hypothetical or unlikely situations in the present or future.

If I won the lottery, I would travel the world

The third conditional is used to talk about hypothetical situations in the past.

If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam

Mixed conditionals combine different time frames - typically a past cause with a present result.

If I hadn't eaten so much last night, I wouldn't be sick now