Unit 5B

Zero and First Conditionals

EXAMPLES
• Zero conditional: If the lizard puts a foot somewhere wet, its skin pulls the
water up and over its whole body.
• First conditional: If we are successful, the device will provide water for
people who live in very dry environments.

MEANING
Choose the correct answer:

1 The zero / first conditional talks about what will probably happen in the
future as a result of something.
2 The zero / first conditional talks about what always happens as a result of
something.

OTHER EXAMPLES:

1 If you don’t add enough wood, the fire goes out.

2 When we go camping, we usually take two tents.

Other Rules:

a) We can use if / when to talk about things which will possibly or can
happen.
b) We can use if / when for things which will definitely happen.

FORM
Choose the correct combination:

Zero conditional:
If + past simple / present simple / future simple , present simple / past simple / future simple clause

First conditional:
If + past simple / present simple / future simple , present simple / past simple / future simple clause