Conditionals- Zero and First

The Zero Conditional
We can make a zero conditional sentence with two present simple verbs (one in the 'if
clause' and one in the 'main clause'):
If + present simple, .... present simple.
This conditional is used when the result will always happen. So, if water reaches 100
degrees, it always boils. It's a fact. I'm talking in general, not about one particular situation.
The result of the 'if clause' is always the main clause.
For example: If water reaches 100 degrees, it boils. (It is always true, there can't be a
different result sometimes).
Here are some more examples:
If you touch fire, you get burned.
People die if they don't eat.
You get water if you mix hydrogen and oxygen.
Snakes bite if they are scared
If babies are hungry, they cry
The First Conditional
The first conditional has the present simple after 'if', then the future simple in the other
clause:
if + present simple, ... will + infinitive
It's used to talk about things that might happen in the future. Of course, we can't know what
will happen in the future, but this describes possible things, which could easily come true.
For example:
If it rains, I won't go to the park.
If I have enough money, I'll buy some new shoes.
She'll be late if the train is delayed.
She'll miss the bus if she doesn't leave soon.
If I see her, I'll tell her.
First vs. Zero Conditional:
The first conditional describes a particular situation, whereas the zero conditional describes
what happens in general.
For example (zero conditional): if you sit in the sun, you get burned (here I'm talking about
every time a person sits in the sun - the burning is a natural consequence of the sitting). But
(first conditional): if you sit in the sun, you'll get burned (here I'm talking about what will
happen today, another day might be different)
Zero conditional
Exercise 1. Choose the beginnings of the sentences to complete the text.
Lions
If a lion joins a group of other lions
If lions go hunting
If a lion roars
If lions are active
If male lions use scent marking
........................................................................., it can be heard over five miles away.
................................................................................, it usually stays with them for three years.
....................................................................................., they work in teams.
...................................................................................., they establish their territory.
......................................................................................, it is usually at night.
Exercise 2. Choose the endings of the sentences to complete the text.
If lions rub each other's heads, ...........................................................................................

If any strange males try to enter their territory, ....................................................................
If lions start fighting, ............................................................................................................
If cubs are born, ..................................................................................................................
If male cubs are two years old, ............................................................................................
_they are blind for six days.
_they show their affection.
_the loser often dies.
_they have to leave their mothers.
_lions fight them off.
Exercise 3. Complete the sentences with the verbs in brackets.
Peter, what do you do if your parents are at home?

1. If my parents ....................... at home at weekends, I have to help with housework.
(stay)
2. If my mother ......................... at home, I do the washing up or hoovering. (be)
3. If she ......................... at home, I wash the car or work in the garden with my dad. (not
be)
4. If they .............................. at home on weekdays, I do my homework first and then go
out. (be)
5. If my father .................................. in the evening, we play games on his computer.
(not work)
And what do you and your sister do if your parents are not at home?
1. We ............................... the housework if they leave the house. (not do)
2. I just .............. in bed if there is nothing to watch on TV. (lie)
3. Or I ....................... with my friends on Skype if they feel like chatting. (chat)
4. My little sister usually .................. with her best friend if she comes to our place. (play)
5. But she ................................ what to do if her friend can't come. (not know)
First conditional
Exercise 1. Complete the sentences with the verbs in brackets.
1. We ................................. dinner if we arrive so late. (not have)

2. I'll sell the piano in case I ................................. some money. (need)
3. Sue will be unhappy if she ................................ any present. (not get)
4. I can lend you some money on condition that you ................................. it back soon.
(give)
5. I ................................ you know if you don't take your mobile phone with you. (not let)
6. Even if I .......................... to talk to him, he won't listen. (try)
7. It won't be possible unless they .............................. us. (support)
8. If you ................................ a bath, there will be no hot water left. (have)
9. She won't be slim if she .................................... eating so much chocolate. (not stop)
10. The tea ................................... strong enough if you don't use three teabags. (not be)
Exercise 2. Rewrite the sentences and keep the same meaning.
Example
My car will be out of order. I won't drive you there.
If my car is out of order, I won't drive you there.
1. We'll have a nap after lunch. We'll be sleepy.

We'll have a nap after lunch if we ......................... sleepy.
2. I don't know his phone number. I won't be able to give him a ring.
If I ................................. his phone number, I won't be able to give him a ring.
3. John will be at work. He won't go with us.
As long as John ..................... at work, he won't go with us.
4. He won't like the monitor. He can send it back to the shop.
Provided that he ...................... the monitor, he can send it back to the shop.
5. We won't help you. We won't have enough time.
We won't help you if we ...................... enough time.
6. You will choose some other hotel. You won't be happy about it.
You will choose some other hotel unless you ................. happy about it.
7. Take up this course. You will like it.
If you .......................... this course, you will like it.
8. Don't tell your parents. They will be surprised.
Unless you ............................. your parents, they will be surprised.
9. You won't eat anything. You'll be hungry.
If you ............................... anything, you'll be hungry.
10. We'll set off tomorrow. The weather will be good.
We'll set off tomorrow on condition that the weather ....................... good.

Conditionals- Zero and First

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The Zero Conditional

The First Conditional

First vs. Zero Conditional:

Exercise 2. Choose the endings of the sentences to complete the text.

If lions rub each other's heads, ...........................................................................................

Exercise 3. Complete the sentences with the verbs in brackets.

Peter, what do you do if your parents are at home?

1. We ................................. dinner if we arrive so late. (not have)

1. We'll have a nap after lunch. We'll be sleepy.

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