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Conditional Sentences

The document explains the zero conditional and first conditional in English grammar. The zero conditional is used for general truths and laws, while the first conditional discusses possible future situations. It also highlights the differences between the two conditionals, providing examples and practice exercises.

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5 views2 pages

Conditional Sentences

The document explains the zero conditional and first conditional in English grammar. The zero conditional is used for general truths and laws, while the first conditional discusses possible future situations. It also highlights the differences between the two conditionals, providing examples and practice exercises.

Uploaded by

Mỹ Ngọc Nguyễn Thị
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

Zero conditional and First conditional


1. Zero conditional
We use the zero conditional to talk about: general truths or results that always happen if a
condition is present, laws and rules.
If/when + present simple, main clause
(present simple)
If I drink too much coffee, I can't sleep at night.
Ice melts if you heat it.
When the sun goes down, it gets dark.
If the milk smells bad, I don’t drink it.
If water reaches 100 degrees, it boils.
If I’ve drunk, I never drive.
If people are talking all the time, I can’t concentrate.
2. First conditional
We use the first conditional to talk about: situations that might happen in the future if a
condition is present. We don’t know if those things will happen or not, but they are a real
possibility.
If it doesn't rain tomorrow, we'll go to the beach.
Arsenal will be top of the league if they win.
When I finish work, I'll call you.
If you’ve come to class, the exam is going to be easy.
If you help me, I’ll have finished by the end of the month.
If/when + present simple, main clause (will /
can/ may/ won’t/ can’t + bare- infinitive)
It is also common to use this structure with ‘unless’, ‘as long as’, ‘as soon as’ or ‘in case’ instead
of ‘if’.
 Unless = if (not)
I won’t go on holiday unless I save some money.
= I won’t go on holiday if I don’t save some money.
I don't want to stay in London unless I get a well-paid job.
 In case
I’ll take my umbrella in case it rains. (=maybe it will rain)
I'll give you a key in case I'm not at home.
 As soon as
I'll leave as soon as the babysitter arrives.
 As long as
You can go to the party, as long as you're back by midnight.
3. First vs zero conditional
We use the first conditional to talk about a particular situation, whereas we use the zero
conditional to talk about what happens in general.
If you don’t use oil, it tastes awful. (=I’m talking about what happens every time.)
If you don’t use oil, it will taste awful. (=I’m talking about this particular occasion.)
In summary, zero conditionals happen 100% of the time and 1st conditionals can happen and are
usually very likely to happen.
If the temperature drops to zero degrees, it snows (in general).
If the temperature drops to zero degrees, it will snow (here).
When using the zero conditional, the sentence describes what is generally known to be true all
the time, for instance, scientific rules.
PRACTICE:
1. When I go on holiday, I always _______________________ (ask) my neighbor to water my
plants.
2. If you eat fast food every day, you _______________________ (get) fat.
3. If I _______________________ (explain) the problem to my sister, she'll be happy to help me.
4. If the temperature _______________________ (drop) below zero, water freezes.
5. If I study hard, I _______________________ (pass) this year’s exam.
6. We'll be late for the film if we _______________________ (not hurry up).
7. The grass _______________________ (get) wet if it rains.
8. If you smoke on a regular basis, your skin _______________________ (age) more quickly.
9. If you _______________________ (get) a red card, you can't play in the rest of the game.
10.If we multiply 5 by 4, we _______________________ (get) 20.
11.I'll have a shower as soon as I _______________________ (get) home.
12.If anyone rings for me, please tell them I _______________________ (be) back in the office at 4
o’clock.
13.The project _______________________ (be) delayed if I don't finish this report on time.
14.When it is sunny, John usually _______________________ (leave) the house.
15.When I look at a computer screen for too long, I _______________________ (have) a headache.
16.You don't need to print your ticket as long as you _______________________ (have) the email.
17.I'll go and visit her as soon as I _______________________ (have) time.
18.If I _______________________ (buy) the more expensive bike, I won't have enough money to
pay my rent.
19.If you melt an iceberg, it _______________________ (become) water.
20.If you can play chess, _______________________ (teach) Jenny how to play.
21.If I have a chance to go to Paris, I _______________________ (visit) the Eiffel Tower.
22.Peter usually _______________________ (cycle) on Sunday if the weather is not rainy.
23.If you _______________________ (not have) a high school degree, you can’t get into college.
24.Find out what you can do if you _______________________ (travel) without a ticket.
25.People _______________________ (live) in peace if they stop fighting.

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