We use the zero conditional to talk about 

general truths or results that always

happen if a condition is present. We are talking in general, not about one particular
situation.

 If the milk smells bad, I don’t drink it.

 If water reaches 100 degrees, it boils. 
 If I’ve drunk, I never drive. 
 If people are talking all the time, I can’t concentrate. 

We can put the main clause at the beginning. Then we don’t use a comma between the
two clauses.

 I never go to bed late if I have to get up early. 

We can usually replace the if in this conditional with when without changing the

meaning.

 Dogs can attack you when you are scared. 

 When the weather is bad, people don’t go shopping. 

The first conditional is used to talk about things that might happen in the future if a
condition is present. We don’t know if those things will happen or not, but they are a real
possibility.

 If you study, you‘ll pass. 

 If he doesn’t call you, tell me immediately.
 If you’ve come to class, the exam is going to be easy.
 If you help me, I’ll have finished by the end of the month.

We don’t use will in the if clause.

 I’ll help you if you need me (NOT if you will need me)

Unless = if (not)

We can also use unless in conditional sentences to mean if … (not)

 I won’t go on holiday unless I save some money.

 = I won’t go on holiday if I don’t save some money.

In case

We use in case to talk about the possibility of something happening. After in case we
also use present to talk about the future.

 I’ll take my umbrella in case it rains. (=maybe it will rain)

But the meaning of in case is different from if. Compare:

 I’ll take my umbrella in case it rains. (=I’ll take my umbrella if it rains and I’ll take my

umbrella if it doesn’t rain)
  I’ll take my umbrella if it rains. (=I’ll take my umbrella if it rains but I won’t take my
umbrella if it doesn’t rain)

 First vs zero conditional

We use the first conditional to talk about a particular situation, whereas we use the
zero conditional to talk about what happens in general.

 If you don’t use oil, it tastes awful. (=I’m talking about what happens every time.)
 If you don’t use oil, it will taste awful. (=I’m talking about this particular occasion.)

Future time clauses

When we are talking about the future we use the present, (NOT will) after the
expressions when, as soon as, until, once, before, after, while. After these
expressions, we can use any present form (present simple, present continuous, present
perfect) to talk about the future.

 I’ll go to bed as soon as I finish my homework. 

 When I am 65, I will retire. 
 I won’t leave until you arrive. 

As happens with conditional sentences, we use a comma when we begin the sentence
with a time clause. But we don’t use a comma if we put the time clause at the end of the
sentence.

 When I am 65, I will retire. 

 I will retire when I am 65. 

Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tenses. 

          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?
          31 If you   (not believe) what I say, ask your mother.
          32 If he   (like) the house, will he buy it?
          33 If you kindly sit down, I   (make) enquiries for you.
          34 Unless I have a quiet room, I   (not be able) to do
any work.
          35 She won't open the door unless she   (know) who it is.
          36 Should you require anything else, please   (ring) the bell
for the attendant.