Zero conditional (conditional type 0).

The zero conditional has two clauses: the conditional clause and the main clause.
The conditional clause describes the action or condition that makes the main clause true. It begins with
‘when’/’if’.
We can use any form of present tense in English in the conditional clause, for example:

• Present simple: When I go on holiday, I go somewhere warm."

• Present continuous: If I’m reading a book, I wear glasses.
• Present perfect: When I’ve finished work, I go to the gym.
The main clause describes the result of the conditional clause. We use the present simple and the
imperative for the main clause:

• Present simple (for a general fact, habit or routine): If I take the train, I buy a newspaper."
• Imperative: (for suggestions, instructions or rules): If you have time, come to my house."
The order of the clauses does not matter: the meaning is the same.

• If it’s summer, it’s hot.

• It’s hot if it’s summer.

Examples:
Scientific facts.
• Ice melts if you heat it.
• Water boils if you heat it.
• Oil floats if you put it in water.
• If you boil the water at 100ºC it boils
• if you heat water it boils.
• If you freeze water you get ice.
• if you heat ice, it melts

General truths & facts.

• f the banana is yellow, it is ready to eat!
• If you mix red and yellow, you get orange
• If you don't study, you fail
• If it rains, you get wet.

Habits/routines:
• If I get sick, I stay home from work.
• If I miss the train, I drive to work.
• If I don’t sleep well, I am cranky in the morning.
• If I drink, I never drive.
• If it’s hot, I go to the beach.
• If it snows, I shovel the driveway.
• If I get lost, I ask for directions.

Suggestions, instructions and rules (imperative in the main clause):

• If you drink, don’t drive.
• if you’re hungry, eat something
• If Bill phones, tell him to meet me at the cinema.
• Ask Pete if you're not sure what to do.
• If you want to come, call me before 5:00.
First conditional (conditional type I).

We use the first conditional to express a real possibility that the condition will happen (likely to
happen).
The conditional clause describes the action or condition that makes the main clause true. It
begins with ‘If’. The construction is If + present simple + future simple (“will”).

• If it rains tomorrow, I'll stay at home.

The negative is made with ‘will not’ or ‘won’t’.

• If you don’t study, you won’t pass the exam.

We can use the future with ‘going to’ instead of ‘will’ to emphasize the result.

• If I don't have to go to work tomorrow, I am going to visit my parents.

We use ‘may‘ or ‘might‘ to say that the future event is not definite.

• If it’s a sunny day tomorrow, we might have a party in the park.

Sometimes, we use ‘shall’, ‘can’, ‘must’ or ‘should’ instead of will.

• If it's sunny this afternoon, we can play tennis.

• If they invite you, you should go.
• If you have any problems, you must call me.
‘When’ can be used instead of ‘if’ but the meaning is slightly different.

• If I go out, I’ll get some bread (possible but not sure).

• When I go out, I’ll get some bread (already planned).
We can make a conditional question.

• If you get lost, what will you do?

The order of the clauses does not matter: the meaning is the same.

• What will you do if you get lost?

• If it’s hot, I’ll go to the beach.
• I’ll go to the beach if it’s hot.
Zero and First Conditional (Exercises)
Fill in the blanks with the verb in the correct tense. Use only present, future with will or imperative (in
positive or negative). Also, mark if the sentence is a zero or first conditional.

1. If you ________ (freeze) water, it ____________(it / turn) to ice.score1

2. If I ________________ (go) out tonight, I ________(go) to the cinema.

3. If you _____________ (get) back late, I _________(be) angry.

4. If we _____________(not see) each other tomorrow, we _______ (see) each other next week.

5. If he __________ (come), I ____________ (be) surprised.

6. It ______ (be) easier to sleep if you __________(be) stressed.

7. The teacher _______ (get) angry if we ___________ (do) the homework.

8. If you _________ (wear) sandals in the mountains, you _______ (slip) on the rocks.

9. If I ______ (go) on a boat, I always ___________ (feel) sick.

10. His mother _____ (get) annoyed if he _______ (be) late.

11. If you ________ (be) careful, you _______ (have) an accident.

12. What ______ you ______ (do) if everything _______ (go) wrong?

13. When she _______ (go) to university, she _________ (have to) learn how to cook.

14. We __________ (go) to the restaurant if you _______ (be) hungry.

15. If you _________ (stay) awake all night, you _______ be) very tired tomorrow.

16. If he _______ (have) a temperature, he _______ (see) the doctor.

17. Steve, ______ you ______ (do) he washing up if I ______ (cook) dinner?

18. If I _______ (bake) a cake, _______ you ________ (have) some?

19. You _________ (learn) English if you ___________(study).

20. If you _________ (want to) speak to someone, ________ (press) 1.