Conditionals are sentences with two clauses – an ‘if clause and a main clause – that are closely

related. Conditional sentences are often divided into different types.

Zero conditional
We use the zero conditional to talk about things that are always true.
If you heat water, it boils.
When the sun goes down, it gets dark.
It lights up if you push that button.
The present simple is used in both clauses.
First conditional
We use the first conditional when we talk about real and possible situations.
I’ll go shopping on the way home if I have time.
If it’s a nice day tomorrow, we’ll go to the beach.
If Arsenal win, they’ll be top of the league.
In first conditional sentences, the structure is usually if + present simple and will + infinitive. It’s not
important which clause comes first.
1 If I see him, I   (give) him a lift.

         2 The table will break if you   (sit) on it.

         3 If he   (eat) all that, he will be ill.

         4 If I find your passport, I   (telephone) you.

         5 The police   (arrest) him, if they catch him.

         6 If he   (read) in bad light, he will ruin his eyes.

         7 Someone   (steal) your car if you leave it unlocked.

         8 What will happen if my parachute   (not open)? 

         9 If he   (wash) my car, I'll give him $10.

         10 If she   (need) a radio, she can borrow mine.

         11  If you   (not go) away, I'll call the police.

         12 I'll be very angry if he   (make) any more mistakes.

         13 If he   (be) late, we'll go without him.

         14 She will be absolutely furious if she   (hear) about this.

         15 If you put on the kettle, I   (make) some tea.

         16 If you give my dog a bone, he   (bury) it.

         17 If we leave the car here, it   (not be) in anybody's way.

         18 He'll be late for the train if he   (not start) at once.

         19 If you come late, they   (not let) you in.

         20 If he   (go) on telling lies, nobody will believe a word he says.

         21 Unless he   (sell) more, he won't get much commission.

         22 If I lend you $10, when   you   (repay) me?

         23 We'll have to move upstairs if the river   (rise) any higher.
          24 If he   (work) hard today, can he have a holiday tomorrow?

         25 Ice   (turn) to water if you heat it.  

         26 If the house   (burn) down, we can claim compensation.

         27 If you   (not like) this one, I'll bring you another.

         28 Unless you are more careful, you   (have) an accident.

         29 Tell him to ring me up if you   (see) him.

         30 If I tell you a secret,   you   (promise) not to tell it to anyone else?
a)      Wich sentence talks about a real or very probable situation in the present/future?
b)      Wich sentence talks about something that always happens as a result of something else?

Type 0: if you freeze water, it becomes ice.

Type 1: if you study hard, you’ll pass your exams.

Exercise 1:  Put the verbs in parentheses in the correct tense. Then identify the types of conditionals.

1.       __ If you leave metal out in the rain, it ______(get) rusty.

2.       __ if you go to bed late, you __________(be) tired tomorrow.
3.       __ if you mix red and yellow paint, you ________(make) orange paint.
4.       __ if you _____(win) the competition, you get a prize.
5.       __ if she ___________(not/wear) her coat, she will catch a cold.
6.       __ if you boil water, it __________(become) steam.

Exercise 2:  Use the prompts to make sentences, as in the example.

         Study hard
         Pass exams
         Get my degree
         Get a good job
         Earn a high salary
         Buy a car
         Go on vacation
         Build a house

Example:

Sentence 1:  if I study hard, I will pass my exams.

Sentence 2:  if I pass my exams, … etc.
Exercise 3:  Complete the sentences.
1.       If you don’t water the plants,                                                                                                                                                                  .
2.       When you finish your homework,                                                                                                                                                  .
3.       If they eat too much,                                                                                                                                                                                                    .
4.       If you are not careful,                                                                                                                                                                                                  .
5.       If you heat
water,                                                                                                                                                                                                                .
6.       If you mix black and white paint,                                                                                                                                                      .
7.       If he is late for school,                                                                                                                                                                                                .
8.       Unless you study harder,                                                                                                                                                                                    .