Conditional tenses describe the relationships between conditions and their outcomes, indicating what will, would, or could happen under certain circumstances. They are essential for expressing possibilities, hypotheses, and consequences in a precise way.
| Conditional Type | Usage | Structure (If-Clause / Main Clause) | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Conditional | Real future possibilities | If + present simple / will + base verb | If it rains, we will cancel the trip. |
| Second Conditional | Hypothetical/unreal present or future | If + past simple / would + base verb | If I won the lottery, I would travel. |
| Third Conditional | Hypothetical/unreal past | If + past perfect / would have + past participle | If they had left earlier, they would have arrived on time. |
| Mixed Conditional | Past condition, present/future result | If + past perfect / would + base verb | If I had studied, I would have a job now. |
Conditional tenses express situations and their possible outcomes based on conditions.
If you study, you will pass the exam.
Conditional tenses are used for real possibilities, hypotheses, and unreal events.