conditional

i have some problem vith 1 2 and 3 conditional...
i don't know when i have to use them
(i'm italian!!)

[Zirta]

Ciao!

You say you don´t know when to use conditionals 1, 2 and 3. Are you familiar with the structures? Or you need help both on form and use?

Auguri

Zirta

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

i have some problem vith 1 2 and 3 conditional...
i don't know when i have to use them
(i'm italian!!)

Conditionals set up a condition that, if satisfied, will produce a result. There are several different types of conditionals, based on the timing of the condition and the result. Usually, the condition is one tense earlier than the result because the condition has to be fulfilled before the result happens.

First Conditional: condition in the present; result in the future

If I win the lottery, I will buy a Porsche.

Second Conditional: condition in the past; result in the present
If the condition is real, true, likely, the verbs in the two clauses are in the indicative mood.
If the condition is impossible, unlikely, false, the verb in the "if" clause is in the subjunctive mood and the verb in the result clause is in the present conditional.

Real: If she was at the meeting, she has the information.
Unreal: If she were at the meeting, she would have the information.

Third Conditional: condition in the past; result in the more recent past

If I had won the lottery, I would have bought a Porsche.

Zero Conditional: condition in the present; result in the present

(used for habitual actions or accepted facts)

If I eat at Joe's, I order pizza. (habit)
If you cool water to 32°F, it freezes. (fact)

more here: http://www.usingenglish.com/glossary/conditionals.html