Conditionals: first and zero

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 2

Conditionals

All conditional sentences talk about a result that is dependent on a condition. The sentences, therefore, have two parts, or clauses. In English, we use the word “if” to determine the condition in the first clause, and the result (which depends on the condition) in the other clause. 

If ice cream gets warm, it melts. 

[condition], [result]  

Types of conditionals

Type	Tenses in the two clauses	Probability condition will happen
Zero conditional	[If + present] + [present]	100% – will always happen.
1st conditional	[If + present] + [will/future]	50%-90%- will probably happen.

How to make zero conditional sentences

Since zero conditionals describe general truths, things that happen all the time, (and  natural laws) you can also use “when” instead of “If” in the condition part of the sentence, with the meaning remaining the same. For example :

If the temperature is 0°C, it snows.

[condition] , [result]

 (Has the same meaning as:)

When the temperature is 0°C, it snows.

[condition] , [result]

How to make 1st conditional sentences

We use the 1st conditional when we believe the condition and result can (and probably will) happen in reality, but they are not 100% certain like the zero conditional above. It is formed by using the present tense in the condition part of the sentence and most often the future tense with “will” in the result part of the sentence:

If + present tense, (comma) + future with “will” 

[condition] , [result]

future with “will” (no comma) + if + present tense

[result] , [condition]

If I see him, I...... (give) him a lift.

The table will break if you ..... (sit) on it.

leaves now / she / she / catch the train / will / if

if / they / you / will / be grateful / help them

If he ....(eat) all that, he will be ill.

If I find your passport, I ......(telephone) you.

If you give my dog a bone, he ..... (bury) it.

close early / will / there are / if / we / close early / no customers

The police ....(arrest) him, if they catch him.

people / there will / drive safely / be fewer accidents / if /

If he .....(read) in bad light, he will ruin his eyes.

Someone .....(steal) your car if you leave it unlocked.

What will happen if my parachute
(not open)?

If he ....(wash) my car, I'll give him $10.

If you put on the kettle, I..... (make) some tea.

finish my work / if / will / I / off / take tomorrow / I / today