GRAMMAR

CONDITIONALS
(ZERO AND FIRST CONDITIONAL)
 INTRODUCTION

• Conditional sentences give us a condition (if- clause) and its consequence (main
clause).
What happens/will happen under a certain condition?

• The conditional tenses we choose to use depend on TWO aspects:

• 1. if the condition and its consequence are real (fact) , probable or imaginary;
• 2. if the condition and its consequences are generally true or linked to a particular event;
• (Example: If you sit in the sun for a long time, you get burned)
• (Example: If you sit in the sun for a long time, you’ll get burned)

• There are five types of conditionals: Zero, First, Second, Third, and Mixed Conditionals.

• By the end of this year, you will need to know and use the Zero, First, and Second conditional.
 ZERO CONDITIONAL

• USES
• 0 conditional is used to make statements about the real world, and it often refers to general truths,
such as, for example, scientific facts. The time is now or always and the situations is real and
possible.

• If you freeze water, it becomes ice. (scientific fact and always true)
• Water becomes ice if you freeze it.
• If you get an over 60% score, you pass the test. You pass the test if you score 60%.
• If you mix blue and yellow, you get green. When you mix…

• The 0 conditional is also used to give instructions or orders using the imperative.
• If / When dad phones, tell him to meet me at the train station.
• If you run out of ink (=inchiostro), call the number on the printer. (imperative)
• If she misses the bus, tell her to call a taxi!
 ZERO CONDITIONAL
If + present simple, + present simple

Present tense (no comma) + if + present tense

• If I drink coffee, I get a headache.
(this is a fact related to my experience; however, it states a truth)
• I get tired if I don’t sleep at least 8 hours per night.
• The teacher gets angry if you don’t do your homework.

ALTERNATIVES TO IF…
• In the 0 conditional, if can be replaced by when.
• I get tired when I don’t sleep at least 8 hours per night.
• The teacher gets angry when you don’t do your homework.

• In the 0 conditional, if can be replaced by unless (=se non…, a meno che…)

• Lions don’t attack unless they are hungry or scared.
• = Lions don’t attack if they aren’t hungry or scared.
• = Lions don’t attack when they’re not hungry or scared.
 FIRST CONDITIONAL

• USES
• 1st conditional is used to talk about future events that will happen under a certain condition.
• We use this for a condition which we believe is possible/probable or likely to happen.

• If it rains, we’ll stay home.

• If I save enough money, I’ll take my mother on a cruise around the Mediterranean sea.
• If I see Danny, I’ll give him your message. (= I will give Danny your message (consequence) IF I see
him (condition)).
• I won’t go outs idea if it’s snowing.

• The 1st conditional can also be used with the imperative / threat / warning
• If you leave me, I’ll die! or Leave me (imperative) and I’ll die!
• If you keep bothering me, I’ll call the police! or Keep bothering me (imperative) and I’ll call the police!
 FIRST CONDITIONAL
If + present tense, + future tense (will/won’t)

Future tense (no comma) + if + present tense

Imperative condition + and + future tense

• The 1st conditional uses a present tense; this means that different forms of the present tense
can be used.
• If you’re watching the news, you’ll see our teacher talking about online classes. (present
continuous)
• If you’ve filled your application form correctly, you’ll get a confirmation e-mail. (present perfect,
cont.)
• If you drink too much soda, you’ll feel sick. (present simple)

• The 1st conditional uses a future tense; however, it can also be replaced by a modal verb.
Because the consequence is probable/possible we can replace the future with can, might, may.
• If Henry rushes to the airport, he will catch the plane.
• he might catch the next plane. (may, should / be able)
•