A. What are conditional sentences?

Conditional sentences are statements discussing known factors or hypothetical

situations and their consequences. Complete conditional sentences contain a conditional

clause (often referred to as the if-clause) and the consequence. Conditionals are

sentences with two clauses – an if clause and a main clause – that are closely related.

Conditional sentences are divided into different types. There are four types of

conditional sentences. It’s important to use the correct structure for each of these

different conditional sentences because they express varying meanings. Pay attention to

verb tense when using different conditional modes.

B. Type Zero
We use the zero conditional to talk about things that are always true. Zero conditional

sentences express general truths—situations in which one thing always causes another.

When you use a zero conditional, you’re talking about a general truth rather than a

specific instance of something. The present simple is used in both clauses.

e.g. If we heat water, it boils.

e.g. When the sun goes down, it gets darker.

e.g. It lights up if we press that button.

e.g.

e.g.

2
Exam Practice 1 (type zero)

1. If you __________________ (insert) a coin, the washing machine

__________________ (start) working.

2. Water __________________ (boil) if the temperature __________________

(reach) 100 degrees.

3. If a motor car __________________ (not have) enough fuel, it

__________________ (not run).

4. If you __________________ (press) this button, you __________________ (turn

on) the TV.

5. The portable phone __________________ (not work), if you

__________________ (not recharge) its battery.

Exam Practice 2 (type zero)

Write a sentence with the vocabulary items provided.

1. ice / float / you / drop / it / in water

_______________________________________________________________

2. if / no / rain / the grass / not / grow

_______________________________________________________________

3. iron / rust / it / get / wet

_______________________________________________________________

4. you / not / eat / you / die

_______________________________________________________________