Complete Guide to Conditionals and Wishes
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🔹 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.
if/when + present simple → present simple
Examples:
- If you mix red and blue, you get purple.
- Plants die if they don't get sunlight.
- When water freezes, it expands.
📝 Zero Conditional 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.
if/when + present simple → will + base verb
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.
We can also use unless, as long as, as soon as, or in case instead of "if":
- I'll stay in the library unless it gets too noisy.
- He'll call as soon as the meeting ends.
- We'll take jackets in case it gets cold.
- You can borrow the car as long as you drive carefully.
📝 First Conditional Exercise
Complete with the correct verb forms:
- If he __________ (arrive) late, we __________ (start) without him.
- They __________ (be) disappointed if the show __________ (get) canceled.
- If you __________ (not take) your umbrella, you __________ (get) wet.
- I __________ (help) you as soon as I __________ (finish) this email.
- She __________ (not come) to the party unless you __________ (invite) her.
- If we __________ (miss) the train, we __________ (take) a taxi.
- You __________ (learn) more if you __________ (ask) questions.
- If my phone __________ (die), I __________ (borrow) yours.
- He __________ (feel) better if he __________ (eat) something.
- We __________ (not win) unless everyone __________ (try) their best.
🔹 Second Conditional
The Second Conditional is used to talk about unreal or unlikely situations in the present or future. It imagines what would happen if things were different.
if + past simple → would + base verb
Examples:
- If I had wings, I would fly everywhere.
- She would buy a boat if she lived by the sea.
- If I were rich, I wouldn't work.
✅ Note: With the verb be, it's more formal to use were for all subjects:
"If I were taller" (more formal) vs. "If I was taller" (common in speech)
📝 Second Conditional Exercise
Complete the sentences:
- If I __________ (know) his number, I __________ (call) him.
- They __________ (buy) a new car if they __________ (have) enough money.
- If she __________ (be) more confident, she __________ (join) the club.
- I __________ (not worry) if I __________ (be) you.
- If we __________ (have) more time, we __________ (visit) the museum.
- He __________ (go) hiking if the weather __________ (be) nicer.
- We __________ (cook) at home if we __________ (not be) so tired.
- If you __________ (ask) her nicely, she __________ (help) you.
- The dog __________ (not run away) if the gate __________ (be) closed.
- I __________ (write) more stories if I __________ (feel) inspired.
🔹 Third Conditional
The Third Conditional is used to imagine a different outcome in the past — something that didn't happen, but we think about what would have occurred if it had.
if + past perfect → would have + past participle
Examples:
- If he had checked the map, he wouldn't have gotten lost.
- We would have caught the train if we had left earlier.
📝 Third Conditional Exercise
Complete the sentences:
- If I __________ (set) my alarm, I __________ (wake up) on time.
- They __________ (win) the match if they __________ (practice) more.
- If she __________ (bring) her ID, she __________ (get) in.
- We __________ (not lose) the keys if we __________ (be) more careful.
- He __________ (finish) the project if he __________ (start) earlier.
- If the restaurant __________ (stay) open, we __________ (eat) there.
- I __________ (send) the email if I __________ (remember).
🔹 Wishes
We use wish to talk about things we would like to be different, often expressing regret or frustration about the present or inability.
🟩 1. Wish + Past Simple → Unreal Present
Used when you want the present situation to be different.
Examples:
- I wish I had more energy. (= I don't have energy now.)
- She wishes she lived near the sea. (= She doesn't live near the sea.)
✅ Formal: "I wish I were…" (Correct)
✅ Informal: "I wish I was…" (Common in speech)
🟩 2. Wish + Could → Ability or Possibility
Used to talk about things we cannot do now but would like to.
Example:
- He wishes he could play the piano. (= He can't play now.)
📝 Wishes Exercise
Complete with the correct verb forms:
- I wish I __________ (know) how to bake a cake.
- She wishes she __________ (live) somewhere quieter.
- They wish they __________ (could) speak Spanish.
- We wish our holidays __________ (last) longer.
- He wishes he __________ (not/spend) so much time online.
💡 Tip: Each conditional expresses a different relationship with reality: Zero (always true), First (likely future), Second (unlikely present/future), Third (impossible past). Wishes express dissatisfaction with current reality or abilities.
💡 Tip: Remember that Second Conditionals are about imaginary or unlikely situations. The "if" clause uses past simple, but we're not talking about the past - we're talking about hypothetical present or future situations!