There are four types of conditional clauses.
- Zero conditional
- First conditional
- Second conditional
- Third conditional
Zero and first conditional sentences are used to talk about real and possible situations.
Second and third conditional sentences are used to talk about imaginary or improbable situations.
Identify the conditional used in the following sentences.
1If I don't drink coffee in the afternoon, I feel sleepy.
Wrong!
The sentence is a general routine or result, so the correct answer is "Zero conditional".
2I will tell her if I meet her.
Wrong!
The sentence describes a real future possibility, so the correct answer is "First conditional".
3I would have helped if I had been there.
Wrong!
The sentence imagines a different past result, so the correct answer is "Third conditional".
4If you want to play a musical instrument, you have to practice.
Wrong!
The sentence gives general advice that is normally true, so the correct answer is "Zero conditional".
5If I have enough time tomorrow, I will come and see you.
Wrong!
The sentence talks about a possible future situation and result, so the correct answer is "First conditional".
6If you eat too much, you gain weight.
Wrong!
The sentence states a general result, so the correct answer is "Zero conditional".
7What would you do if you lost your job?
Wrong!
The question imagines an unreal or unlikely present situation, so the correct answer is "Second conditional".
8If you had run a bit faster, you would have won.
Wrong!
The sentence imagines a different past result, so the correct answer is "Third conditional".
9If I were you, I would buy it as soon as possible.
Wrong!
The sentence gives advice through an unreal present situation, so the correct answer is "Second conditional".
10If he had gone to university, he would have got a better job.
Wrong!
The sentence imagines a different past and its result, so the correct answer is "Third conditional".
11I will be surprised if he doesn't win.
Wrong!
The sentence describes a real possible future result, so the correct answer is "First conditional".
12If anyone complains, we will deal with it promptly.
Wrong!
The sentence describes a possible future problem and response, so the correct answer is "First conditional".
Answers
- If I don’t drink coffee in the afternoon, I feel sleepy. — Zero conditional
- I will tell her if I meet her. — First conditional
- I would have helped if I had been there. — Third conditional
- If you want to play a musical instrument, you have to practice. — Zero conditional
- If I have enough time tomorrow, I will come and see you. — First conditional
- If you eat too much, you gain weight. — Zero conditional
- What would you do if you lost your job? — Second conditional
- If you had run a bit faster, you would have won. — Third conditional
- If I were you, I would buy it as soon as possible. — Second conditional
- If he had gone to university, he would have got a better job. — Third conditional
- I will be surprised if he doesn’t win. — First conditional
- If anyone complains, we will deal with it promptly. — First conditional