First and Second Conditional

01First conditional: if + present, will + verb

Use the first conditional for real possibilities in the future. The if part uses the present simple, even though it talks about the future. The result uses will (or can, might, or an instruction).

Don't put will in the if part. Say "If it rains," not "If it will rain."

• If you take the 5:15 train, you'll be home by six.
• If I see Maria at work, I'll give her your message.
• If you need anything, just text me.

02Second conditional: if + past, would + verb

Use the second conditional for situations that are not real now or not likely in the future. The if part uses the past simple, but the meaning is present or future, not past. The result uses would (or could, might).

• If I lived closer to work, I would walk every day.
• If we had a car, we could drive to Yellowstone.
• What would you do if you won the lottery?

03If I were or if I was?

In careful American English, use were for every subject in the second conditional: If I were, if she were, if it were. This is the standard form in writing, at work and in exams.

In casual conversation, many Americans say if I was or if she was. You'll hear it all the time, and it's fine in relaxed speech. For giving advice, though, the fixed phrase is almost always If I were you.

04First or second? It depends on how real it feels

Sometimes both are possible, and your choice shows how likely you think something is. "If I get the job, I'll move to Denver" means you applied and it could happen. "If I got the job, I'd move to Denver" means it's a long shot.

Unless means if not: "I'll be late unless I leave now."

05Common mistakes