openMind Level 2

Unit 12 Grammar 1

ZERO AND FIRST

CONDITIONALS
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CONDITIONALS

If they need to make an important

decision, they usually have a meeting.

What will they do if they disagree?

1. Which word can you see in both sentences?

2. Which tense can you use after this word? simple present
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CONDITIONALS

Look at these sentences and complete the rules.

zero conditional first conditional
(general truths) (possible situations)

My cats wake me up I’ll take the dogs for a

if/when they don’t have long walk if it’s warm
any food. tomorrow.

We can use the zero / first conditional

with if or when.

We sometimes / never use will in the if-clause.

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CONDITIONALS

Look at these pairs of sentences.

Sarah will be If you don’t phone Sarah

disappointed if you don’t tonight, she will be
phone her tonight. disappointed.

If he gets the job, I’ll be I’ll be really surprised if

really surprised. he gets the job.

When do you need to When the if-clause

use a comma? comes first.
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CONDITIONALS

Compare these pairs of sentences.

1. I will go out with 1. If I’m not tired, I will

my friends. go out with my friends.

2. I might go out 2. If I’m not tired, I might

with my friends. go out with my friends.

Which speaker is You can use different

more certain? modal verbs in
1 conditional sentences.
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CONDITIONALS

Complete the tables with the correct form of have.

Zero conditionals
If/When + simple present, simple present
If/When she _____
has time, she goes to the gym.

First conditionals
will/may/might/could + base
If + simple present,
form
she will go to the gym.
If she _____
has time, she might go to the gym.
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CONDITIONALS

We use the zero conditional to talk about things

that are usually true:

If/When I argue with a friend, I feel sad.

We use the first conditional to talk about things

that can happen:

If Jack comes to dinner, we’ll order more food.

You can use different modal verbs (e.g., should)

instead of will.
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CONDITIONALS

Correct three mistakes in these sentences.

1. Students learn faster when they learn by doing.

2. If I see Nancy, I tell
will her that you want to talk to
her.
3. You should take atell
break if you are tired.
4. If you’ll have a problem, you should talk about it
you have
with a friend.
5. You might meet George when if you don’t come to
the party too late.
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CONDITIONALS

1. Complete the sentences. Use your own ideas.

If I want to celebrate
something important, … If it’s sunny this
weekend, …

If my best friend needs

my help, ….

2. Work in pairs. Talk to your partner.

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CONDITIONALS

Grammar wrap-up

We use the first conditional to

talk about situations that are False
impossible. True or false?

We can use the if-clause at the

beginning or in the middle of the True
sentence. True or false?