Conditional clauses are very common in English. They are usually introduced by the subordinating conjunction if.
Conditional clauses can refer to the present, past or the future. The zero conditional usually refers to the present. The first conditional can refer to the present or the future. Second and third conditional clauses are mainly used to talk about unreal or hypothetical past situations.
The second conditional can also be used to refer to unreal present or future situations.
Test your understanding of conditional clauses with this grammar exercise. Read the sentences given below and try to identify the type of conditional clauses present in them.
1If I see my enemy on the road, I turn my head away.
Wrong!
This is the zero conditional because "Zero conditional" describes a general habit with present simple in both clauses.
2If it is a holiday tomorrow, I will go to the cinema.
Wrong!
This is the first conditional because "First conditional" describes a real future possibility with present simple and "will".
3If I had a lot of money, I would start a business.
Wrong!
This is the second conditional because "Second conditional" describes an unreal or unlikely present situation with past simple and "would".
4If I want to go to Mumbai, I will book a ticket on the Mangala Express.
Wrong!
This is the first conditional because "First conditional" describes a real future possibility with present simple and "will".
5If you had worked harder, you would have passed the test.
Wrong!
This is the third conditional because "Third conditional" describes an unreal past result with past perfect and "would have".
6If you got a job in Delhi, you could learn Hindi.
Wrong!
This is the second conditional because "Second conditional" describes an imaginary situation with past simple and "could".
Answers
- If I see my enemy on the road, I turn my head away. — Zero conditional
- If it is a holiday tomorrow, I will go to the cinema. — First conditional
- If I had a lot of money, I would start a business. — Second conditional
- If I want to go to Mumbai, I will book a ticket on the Mangala Express. — First conditional
- If you had worked harder, you would have passed the test. — Third conditional
- If you got a job in Delhi, you could learn Hindi. — Second conditional
