First and Second Conditionals (If I have time, I’ll…)

B2 Level- Advanced Professional English

First and Second Conditionals

First and Second Conditionals

Conditional sentences help us talk about possibilities, hypothetical situations, and their consequences. The first and second conditionals are two of the most commonly used patterns in English.

First Conditional

The first conditional is used to talk about real and possible situations in the future. We use it when we think something is likely to happen.

Structure: If + present simple, will + base verb
Alternative: will + base verb + if + present simple
Example: If I have time, I’ll call you later.
Example: We’ll go to the beach if the weather is nice.

When to Use the First Conditional

Use the first conditional when you want to:

1. Talk about future possibilities that are realistic

If I finish work early, I’ll go to the gym.

2. Make predictions based on a condition

If you study hard, you’ll pass the exam.

3. Give warnings or advice

If you don’t hurry, you’ll miss the train.
💡 Note: You can use other modal verbs instead of “will” in the first conditional, such as “can,” “may,” or “might.”
Example: If it rains, we can stay inside and watch a movie.

Second Conditional

The second conditional is used to talk about hypothetical, imaginary, or unlikely situations in the present or future. These situations are either impossible or we think they probably won’t happen.

Structure: If + past simple, would + base verb
Alternative: would + base verb + if + past simple
Example: If I had more time, I would learn to play the piano.
Example: I would travel around the world if I won the lottery.

When to Use the Second Conditional

Use the second conditional when you want to:

1. Talk about hypothetical situations in the present or future

If I were rich, I would buy a yacht. (But I’m not rich)

2. Give advice

If I were you, I would apologize.

3. Talk about dreams and wishes

If I could fly, I would visit every country.
💡 Note: In formal English, we use “were” for all persons in the second conditional (If I were, if he were, if she were). In informal English, “was” is also common (If I was, if he was).
You can also use “could” or “might” instead of “would”: If I had a car, I could drive to work.

Key Differences

First Conditional: Real and possible situations
If it rains tomorrow, I will stay home. (It might rain — this is possible)
Second Conditional: Hypothetical and unlikely situations
If it rained money, I would be rich. (This is impossible or very unlikely)

Check Your Understanding

Complete this quiz to test your knowledge of first and second conditionals.

1. If I _____ enough money, I _____ a new laptop. (hypothetical situation)
2. We _____ to the park if the weather _____ nice tomorrow. (real possibility)
3. If I _____ you, I _____ that job. (giving advice)
4. She _____ the exam if she _____ hard. (prediction)
5. If I _____ a superhero, I _____ able to fly. (imaginary situation)
6. If they _____ the train, they _____ late for the meeting. (warning)
7. I _____ more languages if I _____ more time. (wish/dream)
8. If you _____ more water, you _____ better. (advice/prediction)

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