First and Second Conditionals

Learn how to talk about real possibilities and unreal situations.

LEARNING GOALS

check_circleI can talk about real and possible future situations using the first conditional.
check_circleI can talk about imaginary or unreal situations using the second conditional.
check_circleI can understand the difference between real and unreal conditions.

B115 min

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PART 01

Discover

Meet today's English in a real situation — no rules yet. Read it once and try to guess the pattern in the words in bold. Underlined words open a short definition.

Sarah and John are talking about their plans for the weekend.

Sarah: What are you doing this weekend? John: I’m not sure. If the weather is nice, I’ll go to the beach. What about you? Sarah: If I finish my project on time, I will meet some friends for dinner. But I’m so tired. If I didn’t have to work, I would sleep all weekend! John: I know what you mean. If I were a millionaire, I wouldn’t work at all. I would travel the world instead. Sarah: That sounds amazing. Where would you go first? John: Well, if I had the money, I would go to Japan. But since I don’t, I’ll just go to the beach… if it is sunny. Sarah: Let me know if you decide to go. If I wake up early, maybe I’ll join you.

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PART 02

Learn

Now the rules behind what you just saw — explained simply, with examples. Underlined words open a short definition — hover on desktop, tap on a phone.

First Conditional: Real Possibilities

We use the First Conditional to talk about a real or very probable situation in the future.

Pattern: If + Present Simple, will/won't + base verb

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If it rains, we will stay at home and watch a movie.

You can also switch the order (no comma needed):

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We will stay home if it rains.

Second Conditional: Unreal Situations

We use the Second Conditional to talk about imaginary, unreal, or very unlikely situations in the present or future.

Pattern: If + Past Simple, would/wouldn't + base verb

format_quoteEXAMPLE

If I won the lottery, I would buy a new car.

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In the Second Conditional, we often use were instead of was for all subjects (I, he, she, it). If I were you, I wouldn’t do that.

Comparing First and Second

Look at the difference in meaning:

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First (Real): If I have time later, I will call you. (I might have time.)

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Second (Unreal): If I had more time, I would learn a new language. (I don’t have time right now.)

warningWARNING

Common mistake: Do not use will or would in the if part of the sentence!

~~If I will see him, I will tell him.~~
If I see him, I will tell him.

boltQUICK REVIEW

First Conditional: Real possibilities in the future. (If + present, will + verb)
Second Conditional: Unreal or imaginary situations. (If + past, would + verb)
Use were instead of was in the second conditional.
Do not use will or would in the if clause.

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PART 03

Practice

Try it yourself. You'll see right away whether you got it right, plus a short explanation of why.

0 / 3 correct

1. Complete the sentence with a real possibility: If I ____ time tonight, I will watch a movie.

2. Complete the sentence describing an imaginary situation: If I ____ you, I would talk to her.

3. Which sentence is grammatically correct?

draw

PART 04

Use It

Now make the language yours in a real task. Use the prompt below — the editor keeps a simple word count, and nothing is saved or graded.

PROMPT

Write about what you will do next weekend (real possibility) and what you would do if you won the lottery (unreal situation).

0 words

checklistCHECK YOURSELF

Before you finish — be honest. Can you do these now?

I can talk about real and possible future situations using the first conditional.I can talk about imaginary or unreal situations using the second conditional.I can understand the difference between real and unreal conditions.