Zero and first conditionals. Summary

1. ISE I (B1)
ZERO AND FIRST
CONDITIONALS

2. General remarks:
 Conditional sentences tell us a condition
(if…) and its consequence.
 Often the condition comes before the
consequence, but sometimes the
consequence comes first. When the
condition comes first, it is followed by a
comma. When the consequence comes
first, we don’t use a comma:
For example: If I find it, I will tell you/ I will
tell you if I find it.

3. General remarks:
 Conditional sentences have two parts
or clauses:
1. The clause that established the
condition that is the one that starts by
“if” or “unless”.
2. The main clause that is the one that
indicates the effect of the first clause.
Example: If it doesn't rain, we will go to
the beach.

4. 1. Zero conditionals:
 Formation:
Use: to state general
truths
If/when + present tense,
+ simple present.
Example: If you want to be healthy, you
have to drink 2 litres of water a day

5. 2. First conditional:
 Formation:
Use: to express a
condition that we believe
is possible.
If + simple
present,
+ future tense
Sometimes we use the
imperative to express this
kind of condition. The
imperative always comes
first.
Example: If you drink more water, you’ll
have less diseases.