ZERO CONDITIONAL
What is zero conditional?
Zero conditional is a structure used to
talk about general truths, that is,
things that always happen under
certain given conditions.
What’s its structure?
A zero conditional sentence is made of
two clauses: a main clause and an ‘if’
clause. Both clauses use the present
simple tense. The order of the clauses
doesn’t change the meaning of the
sentence.
When the ‘if’ clause goes first, you use
a comma between the clauses. When
the main clause goes first, there’s no
need of a comma. Look at the
examples:
structure
a. If clause main clause
If you heat water at 100 degrees, it boils
Main clause if clause
b. Water boils if you heat it at 100 degrees
Note:
* You can change ‘if’ for ‘when’ and ‘as
soon as’
* To say ‘if not’, you can use ‘unless’
Examples
1. If you don’t water flowers, they die.
2. If you freeze water, it turns to ice.
3. When you heat ice, it melts.
4. If you mix black and white, you get
grey
5. When you tickle him, he loughs.
[Link] you mix flour and water, you get
dough.
[Link] you pour oil on water, it floats.
[Link] the meat is fresh, it doesn’t
taste good.
[Link] they are too expensive, I
always buy the apples.
Quiz
Try to complete the following with the appropriate results.
[Link] she stands in the rain, she………………..
[Link] we mix hydrogen with oxygen,
it…………
[Link] we put water on a fire, it…………………
[Link] the sun sets,it……………….
[Link] you drop a bottle on the ground,
it…………..
First conditional
We express events with first
conditional(type1) at the moment or in
the future when a certain condition is
met. Tenses that can be used are
simple present in the conditional
sentence and simple future(will) in the
basic senetence.
Structure
if + present simple + simple future
1. If I get enough money, I will buy a
new car.
2. I will not talk to her if she comes
home.
3. If it rains, we won’t go to the park.
4. She will be late if the bus comes late.
5. You will miss the class if you don’t
leave early.
6. If it doesn’t rain tomorrow, we will
go on a picnic.
7. What will you do if you see a thief?
8. Will you live here if you become a rich?
9. If you listen to me, you will understand
what I mean.
10. If she doesn’t leave the house,
everything will be bad.
11. if you don’t go the school, you will
stay at home all day.
First conditional with modal verbs
( can, must, may or might )
Now we are looking at first
conditional. Its purpose is to indicate
possibility, cansequency or ability.
Structure
If + Simple present + modal + main verb
[Link] you come early, you can call me
soon.
2. Adem can help you with your
homework if you ask him helping.
3. If she doesn’t study for the exam, she
can’t go out tonight.
4. Can you look after the baby if I go
shopping?
5. If you come to Somalia you must stay
with me.
6. She mustn’t go to the party if she
doesn’t want to.
7. If I finish my work, may I go home?
8. We may come to your home after
work if we have enough time.
9. You might catch a cold if you don’t put
on a jacket.
Thank you