If clauses / conditional sentences

Question 1

Zero Conditional (Real or General Truths)

Answer 1

Structure:
If + present simple, present simple

Usage:
Used to express facts, general truths, or situations that are always true (cause and effect).

Example:
If you heat water to 100°C, it boils.

(This is always true and a general fact.)

Question 2

First Conditional (Possible or Likely Situations in the Future)

Answer 2

Structure:
If + present simple, will + base verb

Usage:
Used to express a possible or likely situation in the future, based on a condition being met.

Example:
If it rains tomorrow, we will stay indoors.

(The condition is likely to happen, so the result is a possible outcome.)

Question 3

Second Conditional (Unreal or Hypothetical Situations in the Present or Future)

Answer 3

Structure:
If + past simple, would + base verb

Usage:
Used for hypothetical or unreal situations in the present or future- something that is unlikely or impossible.

Example:
If I won the lottery, I would travel the world.

(Winning the lottery is unlikely or not true at the moment, so the result is hypothetical.)

Question 4

Third Conditional (Unreal Situations in the Past)

Answer 4

Structure:
If + past perfect, would have + past participle

Usage:
Used to express unreal situations in the past, often to talk about regrets or things that didn’t happen.

Example:
If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.

(This condition did not happen in the past, and as a result, the outcome did not happen either.)