This page is part of a publication called Number One ESL Discussion Book & Reference Guide.
Zero conditional
Purpose: Expresses general truths, facts, or habitual actions that are universally true or always true in specific circumstances.
Example question: What happens if water reaches 100°C?
Example answer: It boils.
Practice questions:
1. What happens if water reaches 100°C?
2. What happens if you mix red and yellow paint?
3. What occurs if you heat ice?
4. What do plants do if they don’t get enough sunlight?
5. What do people typically do if they feel hungry?
6. What happens if you drop a ball?
First conditional
Purpose: Used to talk about real or possible future situations, events, or outcomes, particularly those that are likely to happen or have a reasonable chance of occurring. It is often used for making predictions, giving warnings, offering advice, or discussing plans and intentions.
Example question: What will you do if it rains?
Example answer: I will stay at home.
Practice questions:
1. What will you do if it rains?
2. What will you do if you miss the bus?
3. What will you do if you forget your homework at home?
4. If it rains, will you still go for a walk?
5. If I study Japanese for one month, what will I be able to say?
6. If I get lost, who will show me the way?
Second conditional
Purpose: Used to talk about hypothetical or unreal situations in the present or future. It is often used to express desires, wishes, dreams, or unlikely possibilities.
Example question: What would you do if you won the lottery?
Example answer: I would quit my job.
Practice questions:
1. What would you do if you won the lottery?
2. What would you do if you had superpowers?
3. Where would you go if you could travel anywhere in the world?
4. What would you say if you met your favorite celebrity?
5. What would you buy if you had a million dollars?
6. Where would you live if you could choose any place on Earth?
Third conditional
Purpose: Used to talk about unreal situations or events in the past. It is used to express hypothetical outcomes that are contrary to reality because they relate to events that did not happen. It is commonly used for expressing regrets, imagining different outcomes, or reflecting on what could have happened if things had been different in the past.
Example question: What would have happened if you had studied harder?
Example answer: I think I would have passed the exam.
Practice questions:
1. What would have happened if you had studied harder?
2. What would have changed if you had taken a different path?
3. What would you have done if you had missed your flight?
4. How would things be different if you had chosen a different major in college?
5. What would you have said if you had been asked to give a speech at the event?
6. Where would you have gone if you had won the contest?
Mixed third/second conditional
Purpose: Expresses that there was a condition that could have been fulfilled in the past and that it bears a result in the present.
Example question: Where would you be if you had known about the traffic?
Example answer: If I had known about the traffic, I would already be at work.
| Note: Students should be encouraged to answer in full sentences to properly practice the grammar structure. |
Practice questions:
1. Where would you be if you had known about the traffic?
2. Would you be safe now if you had realized the importance of the situation earlier?
3. Where would you be right now if you had accepted the job offer last year?
4. Would you be happy if you had pursued a different career path?
5. What would you say if you had been asked to speak at the conference?
6. What would you do with the money if you had won the cash prize?
| Note: The clauses in the questions can also be reversed, for example, “If you had known about the traffic, where would you be?” |
Mixed second/third conditional
Purpose: Expresses a present condition (something that hasn’t changed from the past) to describe why a certain past result didn’t occur
Example question: If you spoke English fluently, would you have understood them?
Example answer: Yes, I think if I spoke English fluently, I would have understood them.
Practice questions:
1. If you spoke English fluently, would you have understood them?
2. What would she have done if she wanted to learn how to cook?
3. What would you have said if you were in his shoes?
4. If you received an invitation, would you have gone?
5. What would you have done if you were in her position?
6. If you had more time and money, where would you have traveled?