This document discusses different types of conditionals in English. It explains the zero conditional which refers to general truths using "if" to mean "when" or "every time". The first conditional talks about likely future events, and the second conditional refers to unlikely or imaginary present/future conditions and their results. Examples are provided for each type of conditional.

1. Conditionals
Here are some rules for conditionals.
The zero conditional is a structure used for talking about general truths, or scientific facts -
things which happen
under certain conditions. In statements like this, if means the same as when or every time.
- When it doesn't rain for a long time, the grasslands dry out.
- If an elephant finds a water hole, it wallows and splashes in the mud.
- When the rainy season comes, the rain fills the water holes.
- If there is little to eat, elephants look for twigs, thorns and drying grass.
- If there is too little to eat, some baby elephants become too weak to play.
- If a baby elephant's mother dies in the wild, the baby animal dies too.
The first conditional is used to talk about things that are likely to happen.
- If the weather is good, we will go to the game reserve. (I think we will go.)
- If I see some elephants, I'll take some photos. (I think this will happen.)
- If I take some good pictures, I'll email some to you.
- If the elephants see our car, they will probably trumpet.
- If they feel they are in danger from us, they will put the baby elephants in the middle of the
herd.
The second conditional is used for an unreal or unlikely condition and its probable result in
the present or future.
- If everyone in the world decided to help save our planet, we wouldn't need game reserves or
wildlife parks. (But
everyone probably won't decide to do this so we still need game reserves.)
- If I had lots of money, I'd spend all my time traveling in Africa. (But I don't have lots of
money.)
- If I were good at science, I'd study zoology at college and then become a zoologist. (But I
am not good at science.)