Conditionals in plain words

2026-06-21

Zero, first, second and third conditionals, each with one clear example.

Zero and first

Zero conditional describes facts: If you heat ice, it melts. First conditional describes real future possibilities: If it rains tomorrow, we will stay home.

Second and third

Second conditional is for unlikely or imaginary situations: If I had more time, I would learn the piano. Third conditional talks about the past that cannot change: If she had left earlier, she would have caught the train.

A tip

Avoid will in the if clause. Say If it rains, not If it will rain.