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: If you (drop) ____________ a glass, it (break) ____________. People (feel) ____________ tired if they (not sleep) ____________ well. 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: ...

The Conditional: Type Three + Wishes

 




Third Conditional

The Third Conditional is used to express imaginary situations in the past — things that didn’t happen. We talk about how the result would have been different if the past had changed.

Examples:

  • If I had remembered her birthday, I would have sent her a message.

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

Structure:

  • If + Past Perfect, Would Have + Past Participle

This structure is used to reflect regret, missed opportunities, or hypothetical outcomes in the past.

More Examples:

  • If she had brought her umbrella, she wouldn't have gotten wet.

  • They wouldn’t have failed the project if they had double-checked their work.

Third Conditional Exercise – Complete the sentences:

  1. If I had studied graphic design, I ______________ (become) a designer.

  2. They wouldn't have crashed the car if they ______________ (follow) the speed limit.

  3. If we ______________ (book) the hotel in advance, we ______________ (get) a better room.

  4. Mia would have helped us if she ______________ (know) about the issue.

  5. If the teacher ______________ (explain) it clearly, the students wouldn't have been confused.

"Wish" – Expressing Regret or Unreal Situations

The word “wish” is used when you want something to be different from reality — either now (present) or about what you can’t do.

1. Wish + Past Simple → Unreal Present

Use this when you're unhappy about something in the present and want it to be different.

Structure:

  • Subject + wish + past simple

Examples:

  • I wish I had more time to exercise. (= I don’t have it now.)

  • She wishes she worked closer to home. (= Her job is far.)

Note: With “I,” it is correct to say “I wish I were…” (formal), but many people say “I wish I was…” in informal speech.

2. Wish + Could → Unreal Ability or Possibility

Use this when talking about something you cannot do now, but you would like to.

Example:

  • He wishes he could sing better. (= He can’t sing well now.)

Wish – Complete the sentences using the correct form of the verbs in brackets:

  1. I wish I __________ (live) near the beach.

  2. She wishes she __________ (know) how to cook well.

  3. We wish we __________ (can) take a break from work.

  4. They wish the library __________ (be) open on weekends.

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