ZERO AND FIRST CONDITIONALS Grammar

ZERO CONDITIONAL
Use the zero conditional to talk about things that are always true, such as laws of nature or general facts.
● Use if + present to talk about a possible situation and present to talk about the consequence.

EXAMPLE: If you heat ice, it melts. / If it rains, I get wet.

FIRST CONDITIONAL
Use the first conditional to talk about a real or very probable situation in the future.

● Use if + present to talk about a possible situation and will / won’t + verb to talk about the consequence.

EXAMPLES: If I miss the last bus, I’ll get a taxi.

If you tell her the truth, she won’t believe you.
What will you do if he doesn’t call you?

● The if-clause can come first or second. If the if-clause comes first, we usually put a comma before the next
clause.

EXAMPLES: If you don’t go, she won’t be very pleased.

She won’t be very pleased if you don’t go.

● You can also use the imperative or can + infinitive instead of will + infinitive in the other clause.

EXAMPLES: If you miss the last bus, get a taxi.

If you miss the last bus, you can get a taxi.

TASK 1. Complete the zero
conditional with the words in
brackets.
1. If you heat water to 100°C, it
boils. (heat, boil)
2. The menu appears on the
screen if you press this button
twice. (appear, press)
3. Put those plants in the sun. If
they do not get enough light,
they die. (not get, die)
4. If he does not have the right
password, he does not access
the website. (not have, not
access)
5. My mum does not sleep well
if she drinks coffee before bed.
(not sleep, drink)
TASK 2. Match the sentence halves. TASK 3. Read the sentences. Say if they
are Zero (Z) or First (F) conditional.
0. If you leave now, __C__
0. If you walk 10 miles, you’ll feel tired.
1. The ticket will be cheaper
D
____ (F)
2. If I don’t see you this afternoon,
G
_____ 1. She can help you if you ask her. (___)
F
3. You’ll learn more quickly 2. If you don’t water the plants regularly,
E
_____ Z
they die. (___)
4. If you get that new job, 3. I won’t go out if it doesn’t stop raining.
F
_____
(___)
F
5. You won’t pass your driving test
A 4. If the temperature is lower than 0°C,
_____
6. If I lend you this book, water freezes. (___)Z
B
_____ 5. I won’t enjoy the party if you don’t
………………………………………………………… come. (___)F
A. if you don’t have enough lessons. 6. If the apartment is too expensive, we
B. will you give it back to me soon? can’t rent it. (___)
F
C. you’ll catch the 8.00 train.
7. You can waste lots of time if you watch
D. if you travel after 9.00.
too much TV. (___)F
E. if you come to every class.
F. will you earn more money? 8. She will phone to the doctor if she feels
G. I’ll call you this evening. bad again. (___)F
6. Does your teacher get
annoyed if you do not do your
homework? (get, not do)