When To use Zero + First conditional sentences

Connditional

If you are learning english, you will definitely find this lesson helpful.

Zero conditional

fists conditional

Zero conditional

We use the zero conditional to talk about things that are generally true, especially for laws and
rules.

The structure is: if/when + present simple >> present simple.

The zero conditional is also called the factual or the real conditional because we use it to talk
about truths and facts. Things that are real in the world.

We also use it to talk about habits and rules and to give instructions that are the result of
something else happening first.

¿So in other words, if this happens then this is the result always okay? It's a fact. It's the truth.
It's just how it is. It's what happens.

Let's take a closer look at what it looks like because it's really simple.

We use the present simple in both clauses. Now why does it say ‘if' or ‘when' can be used in
the if clause? It's a good question.
In the zero conditional, you can use either ‘if' or ‘when' in the if clause and the meaning with
either word is pretty similar.

But we use ‘if' when there is a chance that the action will happen but it might not happen as
well okay? If it does happen then we know exactly what the result will be.

First conditional

We use the first conditional when we talk about future situations we believe are real or
possible.

In first conditional sentences, the structure is usually: if/when + present simple >> will +
infinitive.

It is also common to use this structure with unless, as long as, as soon as or in case instead of
if.
So now we know that the zero conditional is the factual or the real conditional. What about
the first conditional? It's also called the possible conditional.

Now we're not talking about facts anymore okay? Things that are absolutely one hundred
percent true. Now we're talking about possible future results. They might happen but they
might not happen as well.

So can you guess when it might be useful to use the first conditional.

A time when you're thinking about what's possible in the future.

We can use it to talk about predictions, superstitions, plans, promises, offers, suggestions and
warnings like there's a lot of different ways that we can use the first conditional, right?

So all of these things talk about what is likely to happen in the future. A likely outcome.

So in the first conditional we’re not just using the present simple anymore, right? Because
we're talking about the future.

In the ‘if' clause, we still use a present simple verb but in the main clause, we use the future
tense. Will.

ZERO/FIRST – What's the difference?

So we talked about the zero conditional. We've talked about the first conditional but what's
the difference between them?

And why would you choose one over the other? Let's take a look.
If you leave the milk out, it spoils.

If you leave the milk out, it will spoil.

Which one's correct? It's a trick question.

They're both correct. They're both possible.

But choosing to use the zero or the first conditional does change the meaning of the sentence
a little.

So in the first sentence, we're stating a general fact. It's true, right? In general, in life, you
know at any moment, when you leave milk out of the fridge it spoils.

So I might use the zero conditional to explain to a child that milk spoils when it's not in the
fridge, right?

The child didn't know that fact beforehand. I'm telling them so that they know in the future.

When I use the first conditional sentence, I'm telling you about a possible outcome based on
the current situation so it's like advice or warning about a present situation. Something that is
specific.

So imagine that you've just made a coffee. You left the milk on the bench and then you've
gone off to the living room to watch some telly.

So I'm using the first conditional now to warn you or remind you about what might happen if
you don't put the milk in the fridge.

PRACTICE

Okay I hope that you're feeling a bit more confident about using the zero and first conditional
now because it's time to practice.

So what I'm gonna do is I'll give you a situation and you're gonna have to write either a zero
conditional sentence or a first conditional sentence to go with it, whichever one you think is
the most appropriate one right.

I want you to write your sentences in the comments below. I'll jump down and check them for
you You can write any of your own sentences if you want me to check them but for now let's
start with this one.

You're a teacher and you want to warn your students that they need to do their homework or
tomorrow there's going to be trouble. They're going to get in trouble, right?

So should you use the zero or the first conditional?

Good. It should be the first conditional.

Now this is a warning about a specific situation, not a general truth because we're talking
about tomorrow okay so you could say something like:
If you don't do your homework, you'll be in trouble.

QUIZ

Situation 1: You're talking to a child and you're explaining a fact about what happens in spring.

Situation 2: You're talking to a friend and you want to warn them to not be late to work
tomorrow.

Situation 3: You're a politician giving a speech and you want to promise change in the future if
the people vote for you.

Situation 4: You're writing a cookbook and you need to write a statement telling people that
they can always change the ingredients if they have a food allergy.

The Third Conditional

We make the third conditional by using the past perfect after 'if' and then 'would have' and the
past participle in the second part of the sentence:

if + past perfect, ...would + have + past participle

SECOND CONDITIONAL

The second conditional (also called conditional type 2) is a structure used for talking about
unreal situations in the present or in the future. This page will explain how the second
conditional is formed, and when to use it.

Using the second conditional

The second conditional is used to talk about things which are unreal (not true or not possible)
in the present or the future -- things which don't or won't happen: