Conditionals — Quick Reference

All Conditional Types

Type	If-clause	Result clause	Use	Example
Zero	if + present	present	Facts, science, always true	If you heat ice, it melts.
First	if + present	will + base	Real future possibility	If it rains, I*’ll stay** home.*
Second	if + past	would + base	Unreal present / hypothetical	If I were rich, I*’d travel**.*
Third	if + past perfect	would have + V3	Unreal past / regret	If I had studied, I would have passed.
Mixed (3→2)	if + past perfect	would + base	Past cause, present result	If I had studied, I would be a doctor now.
Mixed (2→3)	if + past	would have + V3	Present cause, past result	If I were braver, I would have spoken up.

Formulas

Zero Conditional (facts)

If + S + present, S + present → If water reaches 100°C, it boils.

First Conditional (real future)

If + S + present, S + will + base → If she calls, I will answer.

Second Conditional (unreal present)

If + S + past, S + would + base → If I had more time, I would learn Japanese.

Third Conditional (unreal past)

If + S + had + V3, S + would have + V3 → If I had known, I would have helped.

If vs. When

Word	Meaning	Example
if	Maybe it will happen, maybe not	If it rains… (might not rain)
when	It will definitely happen	When you arrive… (you’re coming for sure)

Common Mistakes

If I will see her, I'll tell her.

If I see her, I'll tell her.

Never put 'will' in the if-clause of first conditionals. Present tense in the if-part, will in the result.

If I would have more time, I'd help.

If I had more time, I'd help.

Second conditional: past tense in the if-clause, not would.

If I studied harder, I would passed.

If I had studied harder, I would have passed.

Past regret = third conditional: past perfect + would have + V3.

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