First and Second Conditionals in less than 5 minutes

First and Second Conditionals are very useful for work or daily conversations.

The First and Second Conditionals are used to express a hypothetical situation

We don’t know what is going to happen, so we make a guess.

First Conditional

The First Conditional talks about a likely or possible outcome that occurs if a condition is met.

• If I study for the test (condition), I will get a good grade (outcome)
• If it doesn’t rain (condition), we will go to the beach (outcome).

Notice that! In the ‘if clause’ – use Present Simple

• If I go, I will enjoy the party.
• If he feels sick, we won’t go to the game.
• If she sings, she will win the contest.

Notice that! In the main clause, use WILL + the BASE FORM of the verb.

• If they come, there will be 10 of us at dinner.
• If we work together, we will finish faster.
• If she gets her driver’s license, she will buy a car.

Notice that! You can also reverse the order of the sentence

• He will be late for work (outcome) if he stays for another drink (condition)
• They will stay at home (outcome) if it is too cold outside (conditional).

Second Conditional

The Second Conditional talks about an unlikely or impossible outcome that wouldn’t happen in most cases (unless a very specific condition were met)

• If I were the boss (condition), I would give everyone a raise (outcome).
• If we had wings (condition), we would travel more often (outcome).

Notice that! In the ‘if clause’ – use Past Simple

Always use WERE for the verb ‘to be’ in conditionals

• If I won the lottery, I would buy a home.
• If he were taller, he would reach the book.
• If they could ski, they would buy season tickets.

Notice that! In the main clause, use WOULD + the BASE FORM of the verb.

• If they had a pool, they would swim every day.
• If I ate more veggies, I would be healthier.
• If she lost her keys, she would be locked out.

Notice that! You can also use COULD + the BASE FORM of the verb to show possibility.

• If they had a pool, they could swim every day.
• If I ate more veggies, I could be healthier.
• If she lost her keys, she could be locked out.

Notice that! You can also reverse the order of the sentence

• We could play all day (outcome) if we were children (condition).
• I would be happier (outcome) if I lived by the sea (condition).

English Grammar

Now that you have learned about ‘First and Second Conditionals in less than 5 minutes’, take a look at our other English Grammar posts:
Cómo usar “USED TO”, “BE USED TO” y “GETTING USED TO” en inglés en menos de 5 minutos