Conditionals are sentences that describe situations that could happen or might have happened under certain conditions. They often use the words if and would. In English, there are four main types of conditionals:

1. Zero Conditional

The zero conditional is used for general truths or things that are always true. We use it when one thing always leads to another.

• Structure: If + present simple, present simple
• Example: “If you heat water to 100°C, it boils.”

2. First Conditional

The first conditional talks about possible future events. It shows situations that can happen if a certain condition is met.

• Structure: If + present simple, will + base verb
• Example: “If it rains tomorrow, we will stay inside.”

3. Second Conditional

The second conditional is for imaginary or unlikely situations. It expresses what you would do if things were different.

• Structure: If + past simple, would + base verb
• Example: “If I had a million dollars, I would travel the world.”

4. Third Conditional

The third conditional talks about things that could have happened in the past but didn’t. It often expresses regret or hypothetical past situations.

• Structure: If + past perfect, would have + past participle
• Example: “If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.”