Grammar · advanced
Conditional Sentences
Zero, first, second and third conditionals.
15 minBusiness context
Learn
- Zero: If + present, present (facts). If you heat water, it boils.
- First: If + present, will + verb (real future). If we launch on time, we will get media coverage.
- Second: If + past, would + verb (unreal). If I had more capital, I would hire two engineers.
- Third: If + past perfect, would have + V3 (past regret). If we had validated earlier, we would have saved six months.
Examples
- If our margin improves, we will scale to two cities.
- If I were the CEO, I would focus on customer support.
- If we had raised funds last year, we would have grown faster.
Practice
1. Which is a third conditional?
2. First conditional structure?
Summary
- Zero = facts.
- First = real future.
- Second = unreal present.
- Third = past regret.