Types of Conditionals

This page provides an overview of the four main types of condicionales en inglés. It explains the structure and usage of each conditional type, along with examples to illustrate their application in various contexts.

The zero conditional uses simple present tense in both clauses to express general truths or facts. For instance, "If you wake up early, you feel more productive." This structure is commonly used to describe everyday life situations and consistent outcomes.

Example: If you make up early, do you feel more productive? Yes, I make up early, I feel more productive.

The first conditional combines simple present in the if-clause with future tense in the main clause. It's used for realistic future possibilities, warnings, and predictions. An example given is, "If fracking is legalized in Salento, the natural ecosystem will dramatically suffer."

Highlight: The first conditional is particularly useful for discussing environmental issues and potential consequences of actions.

The second conditional uses simple past in the if-clause and would/could/might in the main clause. It's used for hypothetical situations that are unlikely but possible. The example provided is, "If I had a million dollars, I would buy an island."

The third conditional, though not fully explained on this page, is mentioned to use past perfect in the if-clause and would/could/might have in the main clause, typically for imaginary past situations.