b2 zero and first conditionals

​Zero and first conditionals

By Thais Popa

Open Ended

Write a full sentence starting with IF

Multiple Choice

If you heat ice, it melts.

Is this always true?

• yes

• no

Multiple Choice

If you heat ice, it melts.

Are we talking about a single event or a general truth?

• single event

• general truth

Multiple Choice

If you heat ice, it melts.

How certain is the result clause? (it melts)

• 100 % certain

• 50 % certain

• 10 % certain

• 0 % certain

Zero Conditional

If you heat ice, it melts.

The Zero Conditional is used to express a general rule or scientific fact that is always true.

Zero Conditional

If you heat ice, it melts.

Form:

if clause: present simple
result clause: present simple

Multiple Choice

Which are ZERO conditional?

• If I eat late, I feel sick.

• If I eat late, I'll feel sick.

• If you mix red and blue, you get purple.

Multiple Choice

If it rains, I will stay at home.

Are we talking about the present or the future?

• present

• future

Multiple Choice

If it rains, I will stay at home.

Is it possible this will happen in the future?

• yes

• no

Multiple Choice

If it rains, I will stay at home.

How probable is the if-clause (If it rains)?

• 100 %

• 50 %

• 10%

Multiple Choice

If it rains, I will stay at home.

How certain is the result clause (I will stay at home)?

• 100%

• 50%

• 10%

First Conditional

If it rains, I will stay at home.

We use the First Conditional to talk about a situation that we see as possible in the future. It is called the "Possible Conditional". It can be used to express a variety of functions, eg an offer, a threat, a warning, a consequence.

First Conditional

If it rains, I will stay at home.

Form:

if clause: present simple
result clause: will + short infinitive

Remember!

We can also use might / may / could

e.g. If I study, I might pass.

Key difference

Zero vs First

ZERO = always true

FIRST = possible future
Compare:

• If I drink coffee, I can’t sleep.

• If I drink coffee tonight, I won’t sleep.

Open Ended

Look at this example:

Unless you tell me what is wrong, I won't be able to help you.

What does unless mean?

Unless

Unless = if not

Unless you tell me what is wrong, I won't be able to help you. = If you don't tell me what is wrong, I won't be able to help you.

Open Ended

What do you notice about punctuation?

If you go into town tomorrow, we might go too.

We might go too if you go into town tomorrow.

Punctuation

comma

Use a comma if you start with the if-clause.

If you go into town tomorrow, we might go too.

Open Ended

About you:

If I have free time, I usually ...

Open Ended

About you:

If I feel stressed, I ...

Open Ended

About you:

If I go out tonight, I ...

Open Ended

About you:

If I get a low score at the next Cambridge test, I ...

Well done!