2. if condition result
Present Simple Present Simple
If you heat ice, it melts.
Zero Conditional (Unit 1)
for certainty
If you heat ice, it melts.
We use the so-called zero conditional when the result
of the condition is always true, like a scientific fact.
Take some ice. Put it in a saucepan. Heat the saucepan.
What happens? The ice melts (it becomes water).
You would be surprised if it did not.
3. First Conditional
for real possibilities
If it rains, I will stay home.
The first conditional is a structure we use when we want
to talk about possibilities in the present or in the future.
In this lesson we will learn how the first conditional is
formed and when we use it.
4. "If" Clause (the condition) Main Clause
If + present simple + comma Subject + will/other modals* + base verb.
If it rains, I will stay home
Main Clause "If" Clause (the condition)
Subject + will/other modals* + base verb If + present simple.
I will stay home if it rains
The Structure of the First Conditional
Use the present simple tense in the “if clause” and “will” in the main clause.
* Use other modals such as “may”, “might”, “could” in the main clause when
you are less certain about the results.
If we put the main clause first then we don't need the comma.
5. Using the First Conditional
We use the first conditional to talk about real possibilities in the future.
Example Explanation
If it is sunny tomorrow, I will have a picnic.
It is possible that it will be sunny tomorrow.
In this condition I will have a picnic.
If you come to the party, I will be very happy.
It is possible that you will come to the party.
In this condition I will be very happy.
If I win the lottery, I will buy a car!
It is possible that I will win the lottery.
In this condition I will buy a car.
I will be sad if my football team loses the match.
It is possible that my team will lose the match.
In this condition I will be sad.
I will stay home if it rains tomorrow.
It is possible that it will rain tomorrow.
In this condition I will stay home.
6. Now it’s your turn!
Let’s practice.
1. If you study hard, you ___________ the exam. (pass)
2. I will go the party __________ time. (have)
3. If we _______ the game, we ________________. (win/celebrate)
4. What _____________ if it rains? (you do)
5. If the weather _____ good, I ____________ tennis. (be/play)
will pass
if I have
win will celebrate
will you do
is will play
7. Now it’s your turn!
Let’s practice.
6. If I ____ to the supermarket, I _________ some milk. (go/buy)
7. If I _____________, I _____________ the exam. (not study/not pass)
8. What ________________ if you _____ to the cinema? (watch/go)
9. I ___________ a green dress if I _____ to the party. (wear/go)
Now do the exercises in your textbook (p. 79, ex. 3A) and
check your answers on the next slide.
go will buy
don’t study won’t pass
will you watch go
gowill wear
8. First Conditional Grammar Exercise: p. 79, 3A
1. you’ll use 60 percent less energy / you replace your regular lightbulbs with CFLs
You’ll use 60 percent less energy if you replace your regular lightbulbs with CFLs.
2. you pay your bills online / you’ll use less paper
If you pay your bills online, you’ll use less paper.
3. we fix our leaky faucets / we’ll save water
If we fix our leaky faucets, we’ll save water.
4. there won’t be much air pollution / everyone uses hybrid cars
There won’t be much air pollution if everyone uses hybrid cars.
5. you use a clothesline / other people may start to do the same
If you use a clothesline, other people may start to do the same.
6. we use rechargeable batteries / we could save a lot of money
If we use rechargeable batteries, we could save a lot of money.
