Conditionals with If-Clauses (Zero and First Conditional)

Conditionals with If-Clauses (Zero and First Conditional)

Conditionals with if-clauses are used to talk about specific situations and their outcomes. They help us express general truths, real possibilities, or likely future events.

⏰ When do we use Conditionals with If-Clauses (Zero and First Conditional)

We use the Conditionals with If-Clauses (Zero and First Conditional) to:

  • Express general truths and scientific facts (Zero Conditional):
    • If water reaches 100°C, it boils.
    • If you mix red and blue, you get purple.
  • Talk about habits and routines (Zero Conditional):
    • If I feel tired, I go to bed early.
    • If it rains, I take an umbrella.
  • Express real possibilities in the future (First Conditional):
    • If it rains tomorrow, we will stay home.
    • If you study hard, you will pass the exam.
  • Make predictions and promises (First Conditional):
    • If I see her, I will tell her the news.
    • If you help me, I will buy you dinner.

📌 Structure

  • Zero Conditional: If + present simple, present simple
  • First Conditional: If + present simple, will + base verb
  • Question: What happens if...? / What will happen if...?

📝 Note

The if-clause can come at the beginning or end of the sentence. Use a comma when the if-clause comes first.

    If you heat ice, it melts. (Zero Conditional)
    If it’s sunny tomorrow, we will go to the beach. (First Conditional)
    We will go to the beach if it’s sunny tomorrow. (No comma needed)

Examples: If I have time, I will call you. She gets angry if people are late.

💬 Examples

✅ Positive Examples

  • If you press this button, the machine starts.
  • If I finish work early, I will meet you at 6 PM.
  • If she calls me, I will answer immediately.

❓ Question Examples

  • What happens if you mix oil and water?
  • What will you do if it rains tomorrow?
  • Will you come if I invite you to the party?

🎯 Practice Exercises

⬇️ Interactive exercise will appear here soon.

Unreal Conditional Sentences

Unreal Conditional Sentences

Unreal conditional sentences are used to imagine hypothetical or impossible situations in the present, future, or past. They help us express wishes, regrets, or things that could have happened but didn’t.

⏰ When do we use Unreal Conditional Sentences

We use the Unreal Conditional Sentences to:

  • Imagine unlikely present or future situations:
    • If I had a million dollars, I would travel the world.
    • If I were the president, I would change many things.
  • Express wishes and regrets about the present:
    • I wish I had more free time.
    • If only I were taller!
  • Talk about imagined past outcomes that didn’t happen:
    • If we had known about the event, we would have attended.
    • If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.
  • Give advice about past situations:
    • If I were you, I would have called her.
    • You should have told me if you had known.

📌 Structure

  • Second Conditional (Present Unreal): If + past simple, would + base verb
  • Third Conditional (Past Unreal): If + past perfect, would have + past participle
  • Question: What would you do if...? / What would have happened if...?

📝 Note

Use “were” instead of “was” for all subjects in formal unreal conditionals. The if-clause can come at the beginning or end of the sentence.

    If I were rich, I would help the poor.
    If I had known earlier, I would have helped you.
    I would travel more if I had more money.

Examples: If she were here, she would explain everything. If we had left earlier, we would have arrived on time.

💬 Examples

✅ Positive Examples

  • If I had a car, I would drive to work every day.
  • If she had studied medicine, she would have become a doctor.
  • If we were millionaires, we would donate to charity.

❓ Question Examples

  • What would you do if you won the lottery?
  • What would have happened if we had missed the train?
  • Where would you live if you could choose anywhere?

🎯 Practice Exercises

⬇️ Interactive exercise will appear here soon.