Zero and first conditional

Zero conditional and First conditional

Conditional

Zero

Conditional

Zero

Zero Conditional

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. • Dogs can attack you when you are scared. • When the weather is bad, people don’t go shopping.

Zero Conditional

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.

Conditional

First

Conditional

First

First Conditional

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 ) 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.

First Conditional

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.

First Conditional

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.)

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