First vs Second Conditional

The First Conditional (if + present simple, will + base verb) talks about real, likely future possibilities. The Second Conditional (if + past simple, would + base verb) talks about hypothetical, unlikely, or imaginary situations.

Review: Conditionals · Conditionals

Practice sentences

1. If it ___ (rain) tomorrow, we will cancel the picnic. (rains / rained / will rain)

   A real, likely future possibility — First Conditional, present simple after if.

2. If I ___ (win) the lottery, I would travel the world. (won / win / will win)

   A hypothetical, unlikely situation — Second Conditional, past simple after if.

3. If you study hard, you ___ (pass) the exam. (will pass / would pass / pass)

   A likely real result — First Conditional.

4. If I ___ (be) you, I would apologize. (were / was / am)

   A hypothetical situation — Second Conditional; "were" is used for all persons in formal style.

5. She will call you if she ___ (have) time. (has / had / will have)

   A real future possibility — First Conditional.

6. If we ___ (live) on the moon, we would need spacesuits. (lived / live / will live)

   An imaginary, impossible situation — Second Conditional.

7. If he ___ (not/hurry), he will miss the train. (doesn't hurry / didn't hurry / won't hurry)

   A real, likely future consequence — First Conditional.

8. What would you do if you ___ (see) a ghost? (saw / see / will see)

   A hypothetical, imaginary situation — Second Conditional.

9. If it's sunny tomorrow, we ___ (go) to the beach. (will go / would go / go)

   A likely real plan — First Conditional.

10. If I ___ (have) more money, I would buy a bigger house. (had / have / will have)

    A hypothetical present situation — Second Conditional.