What’s the difference between the two following sentences? - If I study hard I’ll pass the exam of English - If I became Prime Minister of Italy, I would want to change many things. Taken from Learn English – the British Council Dott.ssa A.Loi

What are conditionals? If the weather is fine, I’ll go to the beach Conditionals are sentences with two clauses – an ‘if clause and a main clause – that are closely related. If the weather is fine, I’ll go to the beach Conditional sentences are often divided into different types.  

GRAMMAR- Zero conditional We use the zero conditional to talk about things that are always true. If you heat water, it boils. When the sun goes down, it gets dark. It lights up if you push that button. If Arsenal win they’ll be top of the league. In first conditional sentences, the structure is usually if + present simple and will + infinitive. The present simple is used in both clauses.

First conditional First conditional We use the first conditional when we talk about real and possible situations. It’s not important which clause comes first. I’ll go shopping on the way home if I have time. If I have time, I’ll go shopping on the way.

Second conditional The second conditional is used to talk about unlikely, ‘unreal’ or impossible things. If I won a lot of money I’d buy a big house in the country. If you didn’t smoke so much you’d feel a lot better. The structure is usually  if + past simple and would + infinitive. It’s not important which clause comes first.

  NOTE: Although many conditional sentences use if + will/would, conditional sentences can also use other words instead of ‘if’ – e.g. ‘when’ ‘as soon as’ ‘in case’ Other modal verbs can be used instead of ‘will/would’ – e.g. ‘can/could’, ‘may’ ‘might’. Conditionals Look at the difference between the first and second conditionals. In January: If it snows tomorrow I’ll go skiing. It might snow tomorrow. In August: If it snowed tomorrow I’d go skiing. It almost certainly won’t snow tomorrow.

  NOTE: Although many conditional sentences use if + will/would, conditional sentences can also use other words instead of ‘if’ – e.g. ‘when’ ‘as soon as’ ‘in case’ Other modal verbs can be used instead of ‘will/would’ – e.g. ‘can/could’, ‘may’ ‘might’. Conditionals NOTE: Although many conditional sentences use if + will/would, conditional sentences can also use other words instead of ‘if’ – e.g. ‘when’ ‘as soon as’ ‘in case’ Other modal verbs can be used instead of ‘will/would’ – e.g. ‘can/could’, ‘may’ ‘might’.

Third conditional Third conditional sentences describe the past. They describe something that didn’t happen. It is called the Unreality conditional and it is especially used to express Regrets. We wouldn’t have got lost if you hadn’t given me the wrong directions. She might have finished the exam if she’d had more time.

Third conditional In third conditional sentences, the structure is usually  if + past perfect and would + perfect infinitive (e.g. have done). It’s not important which clause comes first.

Mixed third / second conditional Mixed conditionals Mixed third / second conditional  With this combination we are contrasting an imagined or real event in the past with the present result of that. Consider these examples:  If he'd taken the medication as prescribed, he wouldn't still be lying sick in bed.  If he hadn't run after the car thief and suffered a heart attack, he'd probably be alive today.