Grammar · Conditionals & Wishes

Conditionals (First, Second & Third)

If sentences for real plans, for dreams, and for a past that did not happen. Learn all three with the film Aladdin.

Grammar › Conditionals & Wishes › Conditionals (First, Second & Third)

The rule in one sentenceEvery if sentence has two parts, the if part and the result, and the verbs change when the idea is real, a dream, or about the past.

About the film

Aladdin is a Disney musical set in the city of Agrabah. Aladdin is a poor young man, and he lives with his monkey, Abu. Inside a cave there is a magic lamp, and if you rub it, a Genie will give you three wishes. But the princess, Jasmine, has to marry a prince, and Aladdin is not a prince.

What does it do?

An if sentence joins two ideas. The if part says what needs to happen first. The result says what happens next.

There are three main kinds. Use the first kind for real things that can happen. Use the second kind for dreams. Use the third kind for the past, when it is too late to change it.

If Aladdin finds the lamp, he will meet the Genie.

If Aladdin were a prince, he could marry Jasmine.

If you have three wishes, what will you wish for?

If Jasmine hadn’t gone to the market, she wouldn’t have met Aladdin.

Look at the first two tiles. Finding the lamp can really happen, so we use finds and will. Aladdin is not a prince, so this is a dream. We use were and could or would.

The if part

The result

real If he finds the lamp,

he will be rich.

real If you rub the lamp,

the Genie will come out.

dream If I were a prince,

I would live in a palace.

dream If I had a magic carpet,

I would fly to school.

past If she hadn’t run away,

she wouldn’t have met him.

In speech, people usually use short forms:

he will → he’llI would → I’dwould not → wouldn’thad not → hadn’tI’d can mean I would or I had

If Aladdin were rich, he wouldn’t need to steal bread. If he meets the princess again, he’ll be very happy.
The first sentence is a dream: he is not rich. The second one can really happen, so it uses will.

Visual guide

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Teacher Teddy’s illustrated guide to this rule is being drawn — the full swipe-through infographic will appear here soon.

How to make it

the if part — the condition

If+present verb+(real)

If+past verb+(dream)

If+had + past verb+(the past)

If Abu sees gold, he will try to take it.

−

If I didn’t have a job, I would travel.

Use didn’t + verb for a dream with “not”.

What would you do if you found a magic lamp?

The if part can come second. Then you don’t need a comma.

the result — what happens

will+verb+(real)

would+verb+(dream)

would have+past verb+(the past)

If you rub the lamp, the Genie will appear.

−

If he were a prince, he wouldn’t be poor.

wouldn’t = would not

Would you wish for money if you had three wishes?

To ask, put would or will first.

When to use each one

Real — it can happen

A plan: If I find the lamp, I’ll make a wish.
Tomorrow: If it rains, we’ll stay home.
A warning: If you touch the gold, you’ll be in trouble.
A promise: If you help me, I’ll help you.

Not real — a dream or the past

A dream: If I had three wishes, I’d travel the world.
Being someone else: If I were a prince, I’d live in a palace.
Advice: If I were you, I’d tell the truth.
The past: If I had left earlier, I wouldn’t have missed the bus.

Words that help: which part?

Some words show you which part of the sentence you are in.

the if part → the condition

ifunlessif I wereif I hadif … hadn’t

the result → what happens

will’llwould’dcouldwould have

Common mistakes

❌ If Aladdin will find the lamp, he will be rich.

✅ If Aladdin finds the lamp, he will be rich.

Don’t use will in the if part. Use the present.

❌ If I would be a prince, I would live in a palace.

✅ If I were a prince, I would live in a palace.

Don’t use would in the if part. Use were.

❌ If you rub the lamp, the Genie would come out.

✅ If you rub the lamp, the Genie will come out.

This can really happen, so use will.

❌ If Jasmine didn’t go to the market, she wouldn’t have met Aladdin.

✅ If Jasmine hadn’t gone to the market, she wouldn’t have met Aladdin.

For the past, use had + past verb in the if part.

One more thing

This part is a little harder. You can come back to it later.

Unless means if not. You can use unless in the first part of a real if sentence. After unless, the verb is positive.
✅ Unless you rub the lamp, the Genie won’t come out. (= if you don’t rub it)
✅ If you don’t rub the lamp, the Genie won’t come out. (the same idea)

Practice: choose the right form

Eight questions. Choose one answer. You get the answer, and why.

1. If Aladdin ___ the lamp, he will meet the Genie.

Real idea: the if part uses the present → finds.

2. If you rub the lamp, the Genie ___ come out.

This can really happen → will.

3. If I ___ a prince, I would live in a palace.

A dream: I am not a prince → were.

4. If I had a magic carpet, I ___ fly to work.

A dream: I don’t have one → would.

5. If Jasmine ___ to the market, she wouldn’t have met Aladdin.

The past: use had + past verb → hadn’t gone.

6. If it rains tomorrow, we ___ stay at home.

A real plan for tomorrow → will.

7. If I were you, I ___ tell the truth.

If I were you is advice, a dream form → would.

8. ___ you rub the lamp, the Genie won’t come out.

Unless = if not → Unless you rub the lamp.

Your turn

Choose one ending. Then listen to your sentence.

If I had three wishes, I would …

If it rains tomorrow, I will …

Every sentence here is correct. Pick the one that is true for you. Say it out loud too!

Keep going

Want to learn more?

🎬 Check out our Obsession reviewMore if sentences in a full film review

Next lessonConjunctions Basics (And, But, Or, So, Because) →

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First Conditional Second Conditional Third Conditional Wish & If Only

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Conditionals (First, Second & Third) — English Grammar (A2–C1)