Conditionals: zero, first and second

Zero conditional · things that are always true

Use General truths, facts, habits and rules. The result always happens. You can replace if with when.

Form if + Present Simple, Present Simple

Examples If I skip breakfast, I get tired by eleven. · If you heat ice, it melts. · If a task has no deadline, it never gets done.

First conditional · real or likely future situations

Use Something that can really happen in the future, and its likely result. Also for promises, warnings and plans.

Form if + Present Simple, will + infinitive (no will in the if-clause!)

Examples If we finish the report today, we will send it tomorrow. · If the client says yes, we'll sign on Friday.

Note unless = if not: We will miss the deadline unless we hurry. You can also use can, may, might instead of will.

Second conditional · unreal or unlikely situations

Use Imaginary situations in the present or future, unlikely things, dreams and advice.

Form if + Past Simple, would + infinitive (no would in the if-clause!)

Examples If I had more time, I would learn Spanish. · If we hired one more developer, we would finish faster.

Note The Past Simple here does not talk about the past. It shows that the situation is not real. After I / he / she / it we often say were: If I were you, I would postpone the meeting.