Second or first? Spot the difference
Summarizing the rules
Let’s compare two conditionals: the first and the second.
First conditional
We form First Conditional by means of the Present Tense in the if-part (clause) and the Future Tenses in the main part (clause). The if-clause shows conditions and the main clause shows the results of these conditions.
If-part (condition) | Main part (result) |
If I have time, | I will do it for you. |
The clause can change positions without any change in meaning. But you always need a comma (,) if the condition goes first. Compare:
If I take a taxi to the airport, I will get on time.
I will get on time if I take a taxi to the airport.
Function
We use the First conditional to talk about possible situations in the future. Read some more examples.
If I get this job, I will be on cloud nine.
If it snows tomorrow, we will go snowboarding.
She will not be (won’t be) very pleased if her husband doesn’t remember about her mother’s birthday.
You can use not only “will”
You can use be going to//may/can/etc. instead of will
If you don’t hurry, we’re going to miss the plane.
If you ask Jane, she can help you.
If we call a taxi, we may get there sooner.
You can use not only “if”
You can use as soon as/when/in case/as long as/before etc. instead of will
In case Samantha comes, we’ll make some desert.
I’ll call my mum as soon as I get to the airport.
Think carefully before you say something to him.
Imperative
You can use imperative in the main part to give orders and instructions. E.g.:
Tell me if you need help. If you see a ghost, don’t talk to it!.
Second conditional
We form Second Conditional by means of the Past Tense (simple or continuous) in the if-part (clause) and the Would + V-infinitive in the main part (clause). The if-clause shows unreal conditions and the main clause shows the hypothetical results of these conditions.
If-part (condition) | Main part (result) |
If I had time, | I would do it for you. |
The clause can change positions without any change in meaning. But you always need a comma (,) if the condition goes first. Compare:
If I took a taxi to the airport, I would get there on time.
I would get to the airport on time if I took a taxi.
Function
We use the Second conditional to talk about impossible/unrealistic/untrue/hypothetical situations in the present and future. Read some more examples.
If I got this job, I would be on cloud nine. (I know for some reason it’s unlikely).
If it snowed tomorrow, we could go snowboarding. (We imagine the situation)
She would not be (wouldn’t be) very pleased if her husband forgot about her mother’s birthday.
You can use not only “would”
You can use could / might instead of would.
If you weren’t in a hurry, you might spend more time with us.
If you asked Jane, she could help you.
If we had the right qualifications, we might get this project.
Do you get it right? Let’s check.
Rules ruling
Please, click the correct option in the rules.
Great! Now move on to the practice.