Four Types of Conditional Sentence Explained

There are four types of conditional sentence (also called 'if' clauses) and in this lesson we'll explain each one in a simple way with examples to illustrate.

Understanding The Four Types

Conditional sentences are used to express hypothetical situations and their possible outcomes. These sentences consist of an "if" clause (the condition) and a main clause (the result). 

These are a type of adverbial clause and so like most adverbial clauses, they can be placed either way round. Note the comma in the middle separating the two clauses, which is omitted if the 'if' clause is placed at the end:

If you get the earlier train (condition), you'll definitely arrive on time (result)

OR

You'll definitely arrive on time (result) if you get the earlier train (condition).


There are four main types of conditionals in English, each serving a different function. Let’s explore them in detail.

The Four Types of Conditional Sentence

Four Conditional Sentence Types

A. Zero Conditional (General Truths & Facts)

The zero conditional is used to express general truths, scientific facts, or things that are always true.

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

Additional Examples:

  • If you touch fire, you get burned.
  • If the sun sets, it gets dark.
  • If you mix red and blue, you get purple.
  • If you put ice in the sun, it melts.

B. First Conditional (Possible Future Situations)

The first conditional talks about real and possible situations in the future. The condition must be met for the result to happen.

Structure: If + present simple, will + base verb
Example: If you study, you will pass the exam.

Additional Examples:

  • If it rains tomorrow, we will stay indoors.
  • If you eat too much, you will feel sick.
  • If you work hard, you will succeed.
  • If she calls me, I will answer.

C. Second Conditional (Unreal or Hypothetical Present/Future Situations)

The second of the four types of conditional sentence is used for hypothetical or unlikely situations in the present or future.

Structure: If + past simple, would + base verb
Example: If I were a millionaire, I would travel the world.

Additional Examples:

  • If she knew how to swim, she would go to the beach more often.
  • If I had a car, I would drive to work.
  • If he were taller, he could be a basketball player.
  • If we lived in Paris, we would visit the Eiffel Tower every weekend.

Note: "Were" is often used instead of "was" in the if-clause, even with singular subjects:

  • If I were you, I would take the job.

D. Third Conditional (Hypothetical Past Situations)

The third conditional is used to talk about past events that did not happen and their imagined outcomes.

Structure: If + past perfect, would have + past participle
Example: If I had studied, I would have passed the test.

Additional Examples:

  • If she had left earlier, she wouldn’t have missed the bus.
  • If we had taken a taxi, we would have arrived on time.
  • If he had practiced more, he would have won the competition.
  • If they had invited us, we would have gone to the party.

Other Types

Though the four types of conditional sentence are those above, there are two other ways we can use conditionals that it's important to understand.

Mixed Conditionals

Mixed conditionals combine different time frames in the if-clause and the main clause.

These sentences are useful for describing past events that affect the present or present conditions that could have changed the past.

Example: If I had studied harder, I would be successful now.

= Past action affecting the present

Other Examples:

  • If he had woken up earlier, he wouldn’t be late now.
  • If she were more organized, she wouldn’t have missed the deadline.
  • If I had saved more money, I wouldn’t be struggling financially now.
  • If they were more careful, they wouldn’t have had an accident.

Inverted Conditionals

In formal English, conditional sentences can be rewritten without using "if" by inverting the subject and auxiliary verb. This structure is often used in formal writing and literature.

Notice that the structure/word order changes at the start in the second two.

1. Inverted First Conditional - Should

  • If you study, you will pass the exam
  • Should you study, you will pass the exam.

2. Inverted Second Conditional - Were

  • If I were a millionaire, I would travel the world
  • Were I a millionaire, I would travel the world.

3. Inverted Third Conditional - Had

  • If I had studied, I would have passed the test.
  • Had I studied, I would have passed the test.

Learn more about Inverted Conditionals >>

Summing Up

Understanding conditional sentences allows you to express possibilities, hypothetical scenarios, and regrets effectively.

Whether you’re talking about scientific facts, future possibilities, or past regrets, using the right type of conditional sentence can make your speech and writing more precise.

Test yourself on this lesson in this Conditional Sentences Quiz >>

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