Conditionals (0, 1, 2, 3)
Formula
Examples
Usage
- •Type 0: General truths and facts
- •Type 1: Possible future scenarios
- •Type 2: Imaginary present situations
- •Type 3: Past unreal situations
More Examples
If you mix red and blue, you get purple.
Type 0: scientific / universal truth
If she calls, I will answer.
Type 1: real possibility in the future
If I were the president, I would change this law.
Type 2: hypothetical present (note: "were" for all subjects)
If you had told me, I would have helped.
Type 3: regret about past that can't be changed
If I had more time, I would learn to paint.
Type 2: wishes about current situation
Common Mistakes
- ✗Type 2: "If I was rich" is informal; "If I were rich" is grammatically preferred.
- ✗Type 1: Don't use "will" in the if-clause: "If it will rain" should be "If it rains".
Tips
- ✓Mixed conditionals exist: Type 3 condition + Type 2 result (e.g., "If I had studied harder, I would be a doctor now").
- ✓"Were" is used for all persons in Type 2 in formal/standard English.
Conditional Types at a Glance
If clause · main clause · use · example for all four types
| Type | If clause | Main clause | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type 0 | If + present simple | present simple | General truths, scientific facts, habits |
| Type 1 | If + present simple | will + infinitive | Real / likely future situation |
| Type 2 | If + past simple | would + infinitive | Unreal / hypothetical present or future |
| Type 3 | If + past perfect | would have + past participle | Unreal / impossible past situation |
Advanced Notes
The four-type numbering is a teaching shortcut — real English is messier. Mixed conditionals (Type 3 condition + Type 2 result: "If I had studied, I would be a doctor now") are common and important. "Unless" substitutes for "if...not" but has subtly different scope. "Were to" in Type 2 ("If he were to resign...") adds formality. "Should" in the if-clause ("If you should need help...") signals low probability in formal writing. Native speakers frequently use Type 1 with "should" or "happen to". The biggest B2 learner error: putting "would" in the if-clause of Type 1 or 2.
Compare With
Other B2 Topics
Past Perfect
Used for the earlier of two past events to show sequence
Future Perfect
Used for actions completed before a specific future point
Reported Speech
Used for converting direct speech to indirect speech with tense and pronoun shifts
Gerund vs Infinitive
Used for choosing between -ing and to+verb after verbs, adjectives, or prepositions
Causative Have
Used for arranging for someone else to do something for you
Past Perfect Continuous
Used for an ongoing action that continued up to a past event
Future Perfect Continuous
Used for duration of an ongoing action up to a future point
Modal Perfects: Deduction About the Past
Expresses deductions about past events using must/can't/might + have
Participle Clauses
Used for reducing clauses using -ing or past participle for concise formal style