Conditional - Types Zero, One, Two & Three + Wishes (PDF Download)

 





🔹 Zero Conditional

We use the Zero Conditional to talk about general truths, facts, and things that always happen under certain conditions — often related to science, routines, or rules.

Examples:

  • If you mix red and blue, you get purple.

  • Plants die if they don't get sunlight.

  • When water freezes, it expands.

Structure:
if/when + present simple → present simple

📝 Exercise – Put the verbs in the correct form:

  1. If you (drop) ____________ a glass, it (break) ____________.

  2. People (feel) ____________ tired if they (not sleep) ____________ well.

  3. If the alarm (ring) ____________, the staff (evacuate) ____________ the building.

🔹 First Conditional

The First Conditional is used for real or likely situations in the future. It talks about what will happen if a certain condition is met.

Examples:

  • If she studies hard, she'll pass the test.

  • We'll leave early if the weather is bad.

  • When I see him, I'll give him your message.

Structure:
if/when + present simple → will + base verb

We can also use unless, as long as, as soon as, or in case instead of "if":

  • I’ll stay in the library unless it gets too noisy.

  • He’ll call as soon as the meeting ends.

  • We’ll take jackets in case it gets cold.

  • You can borrow the car as long as you drive carefully.

📝 Exercise – Complete with the correct verb forms:

  1. If he __________ (arrive) late, we __________ (start) without him.

  2. They __________ (be) disappointed if the show __________ (get) canceled.

  3. If you __________ (not take) your umbrella, you __________ (get) wet.

  4. I __________ (help) you as soon as I __________ (finish) this email.

  5. She __________ (not come) to the party unless you __________ (invite) her.

  6. If we __________ (miss) the train, we __________ (take) a taxi.

  7. You __________ (learn) more if you __________ (ask) questions.

  8. If my phone __________ (die), I __________ (borrow) yours.

  9. He __________ (feel) better if he __________ (eat) something.

  10. We __________ (not win) unless everyone __________ (try) their best.

🔹 Second Conditional

The Second Conditional is used to talk about unreal or unlikely situations in the present or future. It imagines what would happen if things were different.

Examples:

  • If I had wings, I would fly everywhere.

  • She would buy a boat if she lived by the sea.

  • If I were rich, I wouldn't work.

Structure:
if + past simple → would + base verb

✅ Note: With the verb be, it's more formal to use were for all subjects:
"If I were taller" (more formal) vs. "If I was taller" (common in speech)

📝 Exercise – Complete the sentences:

  1. If I __________ (know) his number, I __________ (call) him.

  2. They __________ (buy) a new car if they __________ (have) enough money.

  3. If she __________ (be) more confident, she __________ (join) the club.

  4. I __________ (not worry) if I __________ (be) you.

  5. If we __________ (have) more time, we __________ (visit) the museum.

  6. He __________ (go) hiking if the weather __________ (be) nicer.

  7. We __________ (cook) at home if we __________ (not be) so tired.

  8. If you __________ (ask) her nicely, she __________ (help) you.

  9. The dog __________ (not run away) if the gate __________ (be) closed.

  10. I __________ (write) more stories if I __________ (feel) inspired.

🔹 Third Conditional

The Third Conditional is used to imagine a different outcome in the past — something that didn’t happen, but we think about what would have occurred if it had.

Examples:

  • If he had checked the map, he wouldn’t have gotten lost.

  • We would have caught the train if we had left earlier.

Structure:
if + past perfect → would have + past participle

📝 Exercise – Complete the sentences:

  1. If I __________ (set) my alarm, I __________ (wake up) on time.

  2. They __________ (win) the match if they __________ (practice) more.

  3. If she __________ (bring) her ID, she __________ (get) in.

  4. We __________ (not lose) the keys if we __________ (be) more careful.

  5. He __________ (finish) the project if he __________ (start) earlier.

  6. If the restaurant __________ (stay) open, we __________ (eat) there.

  7. I __________ (send) the email if I __________ (remember).

🔹 Wishes

We use wish to talk about things we would like to be different, often expressing regret or frustration about the present or inability.

🟩 1. Wish + Past Simple → Unreal Present
Used when you want the present situation to be different.

Examples:

  • I wish I had more energy. (= I don’t have energy now.)

  • She wishes she lived near the sea. (= She doesn’t live near the sea.)
    ✅ Formal: "I wish I were…" (Correct)
    ✅ Informal: "I wish I was…" (Common in speech)

🟩 2. Wish + Could → Ability or Possibility
Used to talk about things we cannot do now but would like to.

Example:

  • He wishes he could play the piano. (= He can’t play now.)

📝 Exercise – Complete with the correct verb forms:

  1. I wish I __________ (know) how to bake a cake.

  2. She wishes she __________ (live) somewhere quieter.

  3. They wish they __________ (could) speak Spanish.

  4. We wish our holidays __________ (last) longer.

  5. He wishes he __________ (not/spend) so much time online