Conditional 0 and 1

Conditional 0 and 1

by Sofia Guerra

​Conditionals

​if clause and main clause

• All conditional sentences have two parts: the if clause and the main clause. It doesn’t matter which clause comes first, but when the if clause comes first, we should put a comma after it.

  • If it rains, we’ll stay home

  • We’ll stay home if it rains.

   

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​Zero Conditionals – If clauses

Zero conditionals are used for facts that are generally true and do not change. It refers to a general situation that always happens (for example in the rules of a game) if a condition is met. The condition always has the same result.

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The zero conditional uses the present simple in the if-clause and in the main clause.

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Zero Conditionals are also known as Type 0 conditionals (general truth – general rule)

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​The first conditional is used to talk about things that might happen in the future if a condition is present. We don’t know if those things will happen or not, but they are a real possibility.

• If you study, you‘ll pass. 

• If you help me, I’ll have finished by the end of the month.

We don’t use will in the if clause.

• I’ll help you if you need me (NOT if you will need me)

 

unless = if (not)

  We can also use unless in conditional sentences to mean if … (not)

• I won’t go on holiday unless I save some money.

• = I won’t go on holiday if I don’t save some money.

​Conditional type 1 - Real Present

• In the first conditional, the verb in the if clause is present and the verb in the main clause is future (will).

• If you don’t go to sleep, you’ll be very tired tomorrow.

• Theif clause may have a present or a future meaning, but the verb is always in present (NOT future)

• If you are a good boy tomorrow, mummy will buy you a present. (NOT If you will be a good boy)

• ​​Main clause: will, modal verb, imperative

In the main clause, we can use may, might, can, must, should instead of will.

• If he doesn’t train harder, he may/might lose the championship.

• If your room is tidy, you can leave.

• If you want to lose weight, you must/should eat less sugary things.

Or we can also use an imperative instead of will.

• If you arrive after midnight, ring me on my mobile

Fill in the Blank

If he goes to Dan's birthday party, he _________________ a present - (buy)

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I must go to the doctor if my knee still _________________ tomorrow. (HURT)

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We _________________ very surprised if he shows up on Tuesday. (BE)

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Dad will find a job if he _________________ hard enough. (TRY)

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If you look carefully you _________________ your lost wallet. (FIND)

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If you _________________ any money you shouldn't go shopping all the time. (NOT HAVE)

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If your car breaks down, what _________________? (YOU DO)

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You won't be able to go to university if you _________ the entrance exam. (NOT PASS)

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If Jim _________________ up late, he won't be relaxed for the match tomorrow. (STAY)

​Future time clauses

​When we are talking about the future we use the present, (NOT will) after the expressions when, as soon as, until, once, before, after, while. After these expressions we can use any form of present (present simple, present continuous, present perfect) to talk about the future.

• I’ll go to bed as soon as I finish my homework. 

• When I am 65, I will retire. 

• I won’t leave until you arrive. 

As it happens with the conditional sentences, we use a comma when we begin the sentence with a time clause. But we don’t use a comma if we put the time clause at the end of the sentence.

• When I am 65, I will retire. 

• I will retire when I am 65. 

Fill in the Blank

You shouldn't eat this cheese if you ____ (try) to lose weight.

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I'm sure your sister ___ (understand) if you don't go to the party.

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As soon as I hear from him, I _____  (let) you know.

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I’ll be ready as soon as you _____ (be).

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I won’t stop asking you to be my wife until you ____  (be) my wife.

Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in parentesis​

Use a modal verb where possible

will

can

may

might​

Fill in the Blank

If they ...  (not have to) pay to visit museums, then people ... (visit) them more often.

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Extreme weather events ... (happen) more often and ... (be) more severed unless we ... (do) something about climate change

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If parents ... (be) allowed paid time off after the birth of a baby, they ... (decide) how to share the time  

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People ... (tend) to have more job satisfaction if they ... (work) reasonable hours and in pleasant conditions.

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If there ... (be) a cheap and reliable public transport system, people ... (use) their cars less

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Doctors say that if you ... (eat) lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and ... (exercise) regularly, you ... (probably live) longer.