Conditionals (If / Would)
The four types of 'if' sentences — Zero, First, Second, and Third. Hindi gets by with one 'agar...to', but English has a separate formula for each situation.
The rule
Zero (always true): If + present, present. First (real future): If + present, will + base verb. Second (unreal present/future): If + past, would + base verb. Third (unreal past): If + had + 3rd form, would have + 3rd form.
Explained
Conditionals describe what happens 'if' something is true. English has four main types depending on whether you are talking about facts, real future possibilities, imaginary present situations, or imaginary past situations. The key trick is the tense — each type uses a specific tense combination. Once you master these four patterns, you can talk about hypotheticals, regrets, and predictions confidently.
Examples
| English | In Hindi |
|---|---|
| If you heat ice, it melts. | अगर तुम बर्फ़ गर्म करते हो, तो वो पिघल जाती है। |
| If it rains tomorrow, we will cancel the picnic. | अगर कल बारिश हुई, तो हम पिकनिक कैंसिल कर देंगे। |
| If I had more time, I would learn Tamil. | अगर मेरे पास और समय होता, तो मैं तमिल सीखती। |
| If I were you, I would take that job. | अगर मैं तुम्हारी जगह होता, तो वो नौकरी ले लेता। |
| If I had studied harder, I would have cleared the exam. | अगर मैंने ज़्यादा मेहनत की होती, तो मैं परीक्षा पास कर लेता। |
| If she calls, tell her I'm in a meeting. | अगर वो कॉल करे, तो उसे बताना मैं मीटिंग में हूँ। |
| If the UPI fails, try a different payment app. | अगर यूपीआई फ़ेल हो जाए, तो दूसरा पेमेंट ऐप ट्राय करो। |
| If you don't hurry, you'll miss the train. | अगर तुम जल्दी नहीं करोगे, तो ट्रेन छूट जाएगी। |
| If I knew his number, I would call him. | अगर मुझे उसका नंबर पता होता, तो मैं उसे कॉल करती। |
| What would you do if you won a lottery? | अगर तुम लॉटरी जीत जाओ, तो क्या करोगे? |
Common mistakes
If I would have time, I will help you.
If I had time, I would help you.
In a second conditional, 'would' never goes inside the 'if' part — use the past simple there. 'Would' belongs in the result part.
If it will rain, we will stay home.
If it rains, we will stay home.
In a first conditional, the present simple follows 'if', not 'will'. 'Will' is used only in the result part.
If I was rich, I would buy a car.
If I were rich, I would buy a car.
Formal English uses 'I were' in the second conditional, not 'I was' (the subjunctive mood). 'I was' is fine in casual speech, but 'I were' is correct in exams and formal contexts.
If you would have called me, I would have come.
If you had called me, I would have come.
In a third conditional, the 'if' part takes 'had + the 3rd form', not 'would have'. 'Would have' goes only in the result part.
Practise
1. If it ___ tomorrow, we will cancel the picnic.
- will rain
- rains
- rained
- would rain
Show the answer
rains
2. If I ___ you, I would accept the offer.
- am
- was
- were
- would be
Show the answer
were
3. If I had studied, I ___ passed.
- will have
- would have
- would
- had
Show the answer
would have
Related lessons
- The 12 TensesMaster all 12 English tenses with Hindi comparison
- ConnectorsLink ideas naturally — and, but, because, although
- Articles & Prepositionsa, an, the and the tricky little words
- Modal Verbscan, could, should, must, would — used right
Practise this with Vaani
Reading a rule is half of it. Vaani, BolFluent's AI tutor, lets you speak it out loud and corrects you on the spot — in a real conversation.
Try a free call with Vaani