Zero conditional

How to make zero conditional sentences

To form the zero conditional structure formed we use the present tense in both 

the condition and result part of the sentence. As mentioned before, these parts 

can be arranged with either the condition coming first and the result second, or 

the result coming first and the condition second:

Using “When” instead of “If” in zero conditionals

Note: Since zero conditionals describe general truths, things that happen all 

the time, you can also use “when”  instead of “If”  in the condition part of the 

sentence, with the meaning remaining the same. 

For example :

If the temperature is 0°C, it snows.

[condition]            [result]

 Has the same meaning as:

When the temperature is 0°C, it snows.

[condition]                                 [result]

Using adverbs of frequency to modify the certainty of the result

Zero conditional structures are used to talk about results that happen depending on the conditional or “if” clause. Sometimes we need to change the certainty of the second action with an adverb of frequency.

Here are some examples:

If it rains,  I always take an umbrella

When the sun shines in Spain, the weather is usually hot.

I never take the train if the busses are running on time.

When I find a good series on Netflix, I often binge watch all weekend!

Ex. 1

          Ex. 2 

                    

                      Ex. 3 

                         

                                  Ex. 4

 

1st conditional

 

Watch the video explanation

The 1st conditional

Next, let’s move onto the 1st conditional, here there is probability and chance at play, 

the result is no longer 100% certain.  We use the 1st conditional when we believe the 

condition and result can (and probably will) happen in reality, but they are not 100% 

certain like the zero conditional above. It is formed by using the present tense 

in the condition part of the sentence and most often the future tense with 

“will” in the result part of the sentence:

If + present tense, (comma) +  future with “will” 

    [condition]                           [result]

OR

future with “will”  (no comma) + if + present tense

             [result]                  [condition]

The condition and the result clauses can be affirmative or negative.

For example:

If the company wins the contract, they will

give me a bonus.

[affirmative condition]                              [affirmative result]

If the company doesn’t make a profit, they won’t give me a bonus.

[negative result]                                          [negative condition] 

                                       

Using the 1st conditional for warnings.

The 1st conditional is also used to warn others of the probable results of certain actions, we often hear these types of warnings between parents and children or teachers and students etc.  For example:

If we don’t hurry, we’ll miss our train.

    [condition]                 [result]

OR

We’ll miss our train if we don’t hurry.

  [result]                  [condition]

Using other modal verbs instead of “will” in the 1st conditional

We can also use modals like “can,” “may / might,” “must,” and “should,” 

as well as imperatives (verbs giving instructions) in the result part 

of the sentence instead of “will”. Modal verbs change the certainty 

of the result. 

For example:

If the children finish their homework, they can play outside. 

OR  The children can play outside if they finish their homework.

If you buy a lottery ticket you might win. 

OR You might win if you buy a lottery ticket.

If she orders the present now, it should arrive before his birthday. 

OR The present should arrive before his birthday if she orders it now.

If you ride a motorbike, you must wear a helmet. 

OR You must wear a helmet if you ride a motorbike.

If you don’t know what to do, ask me. 

OR Ask me if you don’t know what to do.

Ex. 1

           Ex. 2 

                       Ex. 3  

                             

                                    Ex. 4