Zero conditionals and

First conditionals
-José David Pérez
-Olga Valezka Sandoval
Fernanda Muñoz
Loana Pichardo
Margarita Cano
Form 2

In zero conditional sentences, the tense in

both parts of the sentence is the simple
present.

Zero conditional sentences state known

facts, general truths, and things that
regularly occur.

The subordinate clause (sometimes

referred to as the if-clause) and main
clause are usually in the simple present
tense.
 Zero 7

As in all conditional sentences, the order of the clauses is not

fixed. You may have to rearrange the pronouns and adjust
punctuation when you change the order of the clauses, but the
meaning is identical. In zero conditional sentences, you can
replace "if" with "when", because both express general truths.
The meaning will be unchanged.
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Examples
 ZERO CONDITIONAL

We can put the main clause at the beginning. Then

we don’t use a comma between the two clauses.

I never go to bed late if I have to get up early.

We can usually replace the if in this conditional
with when without changing the meaning.
Dogs can attack you when you are scared.
When the weather is bad, people don’t go
shopping.
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Funtion Examples
If you freeze water, it becomes a
solid.
Plants die if they don't get
The zero conditional is used
enough water.
to make statements about If my husband has a cold, I
the real world, and often usually catch it.
refers to general truths, If public transport is efficient,
such as scientific facts. In people stop using their cars.
If you mix red and blue, you get
these sentences, the time is
purple.
now or always and the
situation is real and
possible.
The zero conditional is also often used to give instructions, using8 the
imperative in the main clause.

Examples
If Bill phones, tell him to meet me at
the cinema.
Ask Pete if you're not sure what to do.
If you want to come, call me before
5:00.
Meet me here if we get separated.
 First condicional
Condition Result

The first conditional is used to express a real or very probable

situation in the present or future.
It is for things that will possibly happen in the future if a
condition is met. In a way, we are predicting a likely result in
the future if a certain condition happens.
 First condicional

The first conditional uses the present simple in the if-clause

and the future simple in the main clause.
Also, we have to use a comma at the end of an if-clause,
when an if-clause comes at the beginning of the sentence.
First condicional
We can also change the
order of the sentence and
have the main clause (the
result) before the if-
clause (the condition).
Here we do NOT use a
comma between the
clauses.
 First condicional
The first conditional is common when we are talking about possible
plans, promises, warnings, threats or for persuading someone. We are
predicting a likely result in the future if a condition is fulfilled.

If I go to Egypt next month for work, I’ll visit the pyramids. (plans)
If I have time, I will do help you. (promise)
If you touch that wire, you will get an electric shock. (warning)
If you eat my chocolate, you’ll sleep outside with the dog. (threat)
If you drive us to the concert, I’ll pay for the parking. (persuasion)
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First Zero
VS. conditional
The first conditional describes a particular For example (zero conditional): if you sit in
situation, whereas the zero conditional the sun, you get burned (here I'm talking
describes what happens in general. 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)