If… real or imagined?
Every conditional sits on one of two paths: the real one, or an imagined one. See where yours is, then test yourself with a short quiz.
If I had more time, I would travel.
An imagined present: the path above the real one. Second Conditional →
Which conditional? Answer two questions.
Think of the if-sentence you want to say.
All five conditionals
From always true to an imagined past. Solid lines are real; dashed orange lines are imagined.
- Zero Conditionalalways trueif + Present Simple, Present SimpleIf you heat ice, it melts.
- First Conditionala real possibilityif + Present Simple, will + base verbIf it rains, we'll stay at home.
- Second Conditionalimagined nowif + Past Simple, would + base verbIf I had time, I'd travel.
- Third Conditionalimagined pastif + Past Perfect, would have + participleIf I'd known, I'd have come.
- Mixed Conditionalsimagined past, result nowif + Past Perfect, would + base verb (now)If I'd taken the job, I'd be rich now.
The pairs people mix up
You understand it. Now find it in your own writing.
Paste an email or an essay. Clarigram marks the mistakes you actually make, shows the rule behind each one as a picture, and builds your practice from them.
Questions people ask
How many conditionals are there in English?
Grammar books usually teach four types (zero, first, second and third) plus mixed conditionals, which combine the second and third. Real English also uses many other combinations, but these five cover most sentences.
Can I use "will" or "would" after "if"?
Normally no. Will and would go in the result, not the if-part: If it rains, we'll stay home. If I had time, I'd help. The exception is polite requests: If you'd like to follow me…
Does the comma matter?
When the if-part comes first, use a comma: If it rains, we'll stay home. When the result comes first, no comma is needed: We'll stay home if it rains.