English Grammar Test: Conditionals (Zero, First, Second, Third)

This is a general fact, so the zero conditional uses the present simple in both parts: If you heat ice, it melts. Would melt belongs to an unreal situation with a past verb in the if-clause.

A general truth uses the zero conditional, with the present simple in the if-clause: if they don't get. Will and would are not used in the if-clause.

This is a real, possible future, so it is a first conditional: present simple after if and will + verb in the result. Would catch needs a past verb in the if-clause.

After time words like as soon as, when and before, English uses the present simple for the future, just as it does after if. As soon as I will arrive is a common error.

Unless means if … not, so it is followed by a positive present verb: unless we leave. Unless we don't leave would be a double negative and reverse the meaning.

Giving advice with If I … you is a second conditional, and standard English uses were. Had been would need would have apologized in the result.

The result clause uses wouldn't, so this is an unreal present situation (he has no car). The second conditional needs the past simple in the if-clause: If Dan had a car.

The if-clause has the past simple lived for an imagined present, so the result takes would + verb: would go. Will go mixes the first and second conditionals.

The result wouldn't have been shows an unreal past, so this is a third conditional: if + past perfect (had heard). Heard would form a second conditional.

The game is over and the if-clause uses the past perfect, so the result needs would have + past participle: would have given.

With if they hadn't made (past perfect), the result clause takes would(n't) have + past participle: They wouldn't have lost.

The third conditional combines if + past perfect with would have + past participle and talks about the past. If I knew, I would help is a second conditional about the present.

In a first conditional, the if-clause uses the present simple even for the future: If it snows tonight. Will close in the result clause is correct.

A second conditional pairs if + past simple with would + verb. Would does not go in the if-clause, and have … would or had … will mixes two patterns.

A third conditional describes something that did not happen in the past. Tom did not take the job, so he did not move to Seattle either.