B2 conditionals: zero to mixed, with exam examples
At B2 you need all five conditional types (zero, first, second, third and mixed) plus alternatives to if such as unless, provided that and as long as. Third and mixed conditionals are tested often in Use of English Part 4. This guide is part of our B2 grammar guide.
By Eleanor BennettLast updated:
What conditionals do
A conditional sentence has two parts: a condition (usually the if clause) and a result. The tense you choose shows how real or unreal the situation is, and whether it is about the present, the future or the past.
At B1 most learners can use the first and second conditionals. At B2 you are expected to use the third conditional for past regrets and criticisms, mixed conditionals that connect the past and the present, and a wider set of words instead of if. These are exactly the forms that appear in key word transformations, and they are very useful in an opinion essay when you discuss what would happen if a policy changed.
Conditionals are close relatives of two other grammar points. Wish and if only use the same "one step back in time" idea for unreal situations, and modal verbs such as could and might often replace would in the result clause.
One rule to remember
In the if clause, we normally use a present tense for the future and a past tense for unreal situations. We do not use will or would in the if clause, except in a few special cases (for example, a polite request: If you would wait here, the doctor will see you shortly).
Conditional forms and uses
| Use it to… | Phrases |
|---|---|
| Zero: if + present simple, present simple (general truths) |
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| First: if + present, will / can / might + infinitive (real future) |
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| Second: if + past simple, would / could / might + infinitive (unreal present or unlikely future) |
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| Third: if + past perfect, would / could / might have + past participle (unreal past) |
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| Mixed: past condition → present result |
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| Mixed: present situation → past result |
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| Alternatives to if |
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| Inversion (formal, useful in writing) |
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How conditionals are tested
In Use of English Part 4, a typical item gives you a fact in the past and asks you to turn it into a third conditional. The first sentence often contains because, so or as, and the key word is often IF, HAD, UNLESS or FOR. Watch the negatives carefully: a positive fact in the first sentence usually becomes a negative in the conditional, and the other way round.
In Use of English Part 2, conditional words are frequent answers: unless, if, long (in as long as), provided, otherwise and had (in an inverted third conditional). Read the whole sentence before you decide whether the meaning is positive or negative. You can try some on our open cloze practice.
In Writing, a second or mixed conditional is a natural way to give a hypothetical argument: If more people worked from home, there would be fewer cars in the city centre. In Speaking Part 3, phrases like If I had to choose, I'd go for… help you reach a decision with your partner.
Typical B1 to B2 mistakes with conditionals
Trap: If it will rain tomorrow, we'll stay at home. Polish and Greek speakers often use a future form after if because their language allows it.
Fix: Use the present simple: If it rains tomorrow, we'll stay at home. The same rule applies after when, as soon as, unless and before.
Trap: If I would have known, I would have come. German speakers often put would in both clauses, because German uses würde this way in speech.
Fix: Use the past perfect in the if clause: If I had known, I would have come.
Trap: Take an umbrella in case it will rain, or using in case to mean if. Italian in caso and Spanish en caso de que make this confusing.
Fix: In case means "as a precaution": Take an umbrella in case it rains (take it now, because it might rain). For a real condition, use if.
Trap: Unless you don't hurry, you'll miss the bus. Using unless with a negative verb.
Fix: Unless already contains the negative: Unless you hurry, you'll miss the bus = If you don't hurry…
Trap: Mixing up the time in mixed conditionals: If I studied medicine, I would be a doctor now when you mean a past decision.
Fix: Past decision → past perfect: If I had studied medicine, I would be a doctor now.
Trap: Forgetting have in the third conditional result: I would came or I would of come.
Fix: The result is always would / could / might + have + past participle: I would have come. In speech it sounds like would've, but never write would of.
Worked example: a conditional key word transformation
The task
Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word given.
Lena only passed her driving test because her uncle gave her extra lessons.
FOR
If it ______ her uncle's extra lessons, Lena wouldn't have passed her driving test.
- 1.
Identify the grammar. The second sentence starts with If it… and finishes with wouldn't have passed, so it is a third conditional about the past. The key word FOR together with If it points to the fixed phrase if it hadn't been for + noun.
- 2.
Check the meaning. The original fact is positive: her uncle gave her lessons, and she passed. The conditional imagines the opposite situation, so the if clause must be negative.
- 3.
Choose the tense. An unreal past condition needs the past perfect: had not been. Put it together: If it hadn't been for her uncle's extra lessons…
- 4.
Count the words. hadn't been for = had + not + been + for = 4 words, because a contraction counts as two. That is inside the limit of five.
- 5.
Check the common wrong answers. wasn't for (wrong tense: that is a second conditional), hadn't been without for (the key word is missing) and would have been for (would in the if clause) would all lose marks.
Answer
If it hadn't been for her uncle's extra lessons, Lena wouldn't have passed her driving test. (4 words: had + not + been + for)
Practice · Reading & Use of English Part 4
Key word transformations 1: Mixed grammar
B2 conditionals: frequently asked questions
What conditionals do you need for B2?
You need the zero, first, second and third conditionals, mixed conditionals, and alternatives to if such as unless, provided that, as long as, otherwise and if it hadn't been for. Inverted forms such as Had I known… are a bonus in formal writing.
What is a mixed conditional?
A mixed conditional combines two different times. The most common type has a past condition and a present result: If I had saved more money last year, I would be on holiday now. The other type has a present situation and a past result: If I weren't afraid of heights, I would have climbed the tower.
Is it "if I was" or "if I were"?
Both are used. If I were is more formal and is the usual choice in fixed advice phrases like If I were you, I'd…. If I was is common in informal speech. In the exam, were is always safe.
Can you use will after if?
Normally no. Use a present tense for future conditions: If you call me, I'll answer. Will after if is only used for polite requests or willingness, for example If you'll follow me, I'll show you to your room.
How do conditionals appear in key word transformations?
Usually you turn a past fact with because or so into a third conditional, or use unless, provided or if it hadn't been for. Always check whether the meaning becomes negative and count your words, as contractions count as two.