Conditionals: 0, 1st and 2nd Practice Tests with B1 Grammar Rules & Examples

Conditionals: 0, 1st and 2nd

Conditionals are sentences with two parts: a condition (something that must happen first) and a result (what happens because of that condition). We use conditionals to talk about facts, real possibilities, and imaginary situations.

In English, we use three main types of conditionals at B1 level:

• Zero conditional – for general facts and scientific truths
• First conditional – for real and possible future situations
• Second conditional – for imaginary or unlikely situations

Look at these three simple examples:

If you heat water to 100°C, it boils. (Zero – always true)
If it rains tomorrow, I will stay at home. (First – possible future)
If I had a million pounds, I would travel the world. (Second – imaginary)

Let's learn each type step by step.

The Two Parts of Every Conditional

Every conditional sentence has two parts:

• The if-clause (the condition): If it rains…
• The main clause (the result): …I will stay at home.

You can put the if-clause first or the main clause first. The meaning is the same.

If it rains tomorrow, I will stay at home.
I will stay at home if it rains tomorrow.

Important: When the if-clause comes first, use a comma (,) between the two parts. When the main clause comes first, you do not need a comma.

Zero Conditional

What is it used for?

We use the zero conditional to talk about things that are always true – scientific facts, general truths, and things that happen every time a certain condition is met.

Think of it like this: "Every single time X happens, Y happens."

If you mix red and blue, you get purple. (This is always true.)
If it snows, the roads become dangerous. (Always true in that situation.)
Plants die if they don't get water. (Always true.)

Zero Conditional: Rule

If + present simple → present simple

Both the if-clause and the main clause use the present simple tense.

If-clause (Condition)	Main clause (Result)
If you heat ice,	it melts.
If she eats too much sugar,	she feels sick.
If the battery dies,	the phone turns off.
If you press this button,	the door opens.
If dogs don't exercise,	they become unhealthy.

Using "when" instead of "if"

In zero conditionals, you can often replace if with when without changing the meaning. This is because the result always happens.

If you heat water to 100°C, it boils.
When you heat water to 100°C, it boils.

Both sentences are correct. With the first and second conditional, we do not replace if with when in the same way.

First Conditional

What is it used for?

We use the first conditional to talk about real and possible situations in the future. The speaker believes the condition could genuinely happen.

Think of it like this: "This might really happen, and here is the result."

If I study hard, I will pass the exam. (It is possible I will study hard.)
If she misses the bus, she will be late. (The bus might be missed.)
We won't have enough food if you don't go shopping. (A real warning.)

First Conditional: Rule

If + present simple → will + infinitive

The if-clause uses the present simple. The main clause uses will + the base form of the verb (the infinitive without "to").

Note: Even though the if-clause talks about the future, we use present simple (not will) in the if-clause. This is a very common mistake.

If-clause (Condition) – Present Simple	Main clause (Result) – will + infinitive
If it rains tomorrow,	I will stay at home.
If you don't hurry,	we will miss the train.
If she calls me,	I will tell her the news.
If they arrive early,	we will have more time.
If he doesn't apologise,	she won't speak to him.

Using other modal verbs in the first conditional

In the main clause, instead of will, you can sometimes use can, might, or may to change the meaning slightly.

• will – certain result: If you study, you will pass.
• can – ability or permission: If you finish your work, you can watch TV.
• might / may – possible but not certain: If it clears up, we might go for a walk.

Negative forms in the first conditional

You can make either part of the sentence negative. Use don't / doesn't in the if-clause and won't (will not) in the main clause.

If you don't eat breakfast, you won't have energy.
If it doesn't stop raining, we won't go to the park.

Second Conditional

What is it used for?

We use the second conditional to talk about imaginary, hypothetical, or unlikely situations in the present or future. The speaker does not really expect the condition to happen.

Think of it like this: "This is not real (or very unlikely), but if it were true, here is what would happen."

If I won the lottery, I would buy a house. (I probably won't win – it's a dream.)
If she lived closer, we would see each other more often. (She doesn't live close – imaginary.)
If I were the president, I would change many things. (I am not the president – hypothetical.)

Second Conditional: Rule

If + past simple → would + infinitive

The if-clause uses the past simple. The main clause uses would + the base form of the verb.

Important: Even though the if-clause uses a past tense form, it is talking about the present or future, not the past. The past tense here shows that the situation is not real.

If-clause (Condition) – Past Simple	Main clause (Result) – would + infinitive
If I had more time,	I would learn a new language.
If she knew the answer,	she would tell us.
If we lived in Spain,	we would speak Spanish every day.
If he worked harder,	he would earn more money.
If they had a car,	they would drive to the coast.

The special case of "were" in the second conditional

In formal and correct English, we use were (not was) with all subjects in the second conditional. This is especially common with the phrase If I were you…

If I were taller, I would be a basketball player.
If she were here, she would help us.
If I were you, I would apologise.

In informal spoken English, people sometimes say If I was…, but in writing and formal situations, were is preferred and considered correct.

Contractions with "would"

In spoken English and informal writing, would is usually contracted.

• I would → I'd
• you would → you'd
• he would → he'd
• she would → she'd
• we would → we'd
• they would → they'd

If I had a dog, I'd take it everywhere.
If you came to the party, you'd have a great time.

Comparing All Three Conditionals

Here is a clear comparison of the zero, first, and second conditionals together:

Type	Use	If-clause	Main clause	Example
Zero	General facts / always true	Present simple	Present simple	If you heat ice, it melts.
First	Real / possible future	Present simple	will + infinitive	If it rains, I will stay home.
Second	Imaginary / unlikely	Past simple	would + infinitive	If I had a car, I would drive there.

Important Differences and Special Cases

Zero vs. First: fact or future possibility?

Both the zero and first conditionals use present simple in the if-clause, but the main clause is different.

If you don't sleep, you feel tired. (Zero – always true for everyone)
If you don't sleep tonight, you will feel tired tomorrow. (First – a specific warning about the future)

First vs. Second: real or imaginary?

The key difference between the first and second conditionals is whether the situation is realistic or imaginary.

If I find a good job, I will move to London. (First – I am actively looking for a job. This is possible.)
If I found a good job, I would move to London. (Second – I don't really expect to find one, or I'm just daydreaming.)

The choice between first and second can show the speaker's attitude. Use the first when you think something is genuinely possible. Use the second when you think it is unlikely or imaginary.

"If I were you…" – giving advice

A very common use of the second conditional is to give advice using the phrase "If I were you, I would…"

If I were you, I would see a doctor.
If I were you, I wouldn't send that message.
If I were you, I would apologise.

This is a polite and common way to suggest something to another person.

Common Mistakes

Using "will" in the if-clause

❌ If it will rain tomorrow, I will stay at home.
✅ If it rains tomorrow, I will stay at home.

Never use will in the if-clause of the first conditional. Use the present simple instead.

Using "would" in the if-clause of the second conditional

❌ If I would have more time, I would travel more.
✅ If I had more time, I would travel more.

Never use would in the if-clause. Use the past simple instead.

Forgetting the comma

❌ If she calls me I will answer immediately.
✅ If she calls me, I will answer immediately.

When the if-clause comes first, use a comma between the two parts of the sentence.

Using the wrong tense in the zero conditional

❌ If you will heat water, it boils.
✅ If you heat water, it boils.

In the zero conditional, both clauses use the present simple. Do not use will.

Using "was" instead of "were" in formal second conditional

❌ If I was you, I would leave now.
✅ If I were you, I would leave now.

In formal and written English, always use were (not was) with all subjects in the second conditional.

Mixing up first and second conditional forms

❌ If she studied more, she will get a better grade.
✅ If she studies more, she will get a better grade. (First conditional)
✅ If she studied more, she would get a better grade. (Second conditional)

Make sure the tenses in both parts of the sentence match the conditional type you are using.

Conditionals: 0, 1st and 2nd – Quick Summary

Zero Conditional

Form: If + present simple, present simple
Use: General truths and facts that are always true
Example: If you don't water plants, they die.

First Conditional

Form: If + present simple, will + infinitive
Use: Real and possible future situations
Example: If the weather is good, we will have a picnic.

Second Conditional

Form: If + past simple, would + infinitive
Use: Imaginary, hypothetical, or unlikely situations
Example: If I spoke perfect English, I would feel very confident.

Key Rules to Remember

• Never use will or would in the if-clause.
• Use a comma when the if-clause comes first.
• In the second conditional, use were (not was) in formal English.
• The past simple in the second conditional does not refer to the past – it shows the situation is not real.
• You can put the main clause first without changing the meaning (but without a comma).

Now practise conditionals: 0, 1st and 2nd in the exercises below.