Zero conditional
This is used when there is no condition. It is often
used when describing facts or explaining how something works.
Structure: if + present,
present
Examples:
If you don't water
flowers, they die.
If you mix water with oil, the oil floats.
If you mix water with oil, the oil floats.
1st conditional
The first conditional is used for situations based on
fact. The condition describes something normal and possible, and the result is
probable and based on the present or the future. You could substitute 'if' with when, as long
as, provide, on the condition, assuming.
Structure: if + present, future
Examples:
If you study hard,
you will pass your exams.
If you click on that icon, you'll lose anything you haven't saved.
If it doesn't rain tomorrow we're going to the beach. (present used as future).
If you click on that icon, you'll lose anything you haven't saved.
If it doesn't rain tomorrow we're going to the beach. (present used as future).
Extras notes:
The zero conditional is used
for universal truth e.g.
'If you heat water to 100C at sea level, it boils.'
It can also be used when the speaker believes that when the condition is fulfilled the result is always the same e.g.
'If I am even 5 minutes late for work, my boss shouts at me.'
It is important to understand that the 'universal' truth of the last example is entirely in the mind of the speaker and that it doesn't allow for the situation when the boss might be absent or late too.
The first conditional is used when we want to say that when the condition, which must be quite possible, is fulfilled the result, in the speaker's opinion, should be or is very likely to be that stated. E.g.
'If you shout at your boss, he'll fire you."
So, the zero conditional is for stating what the speaker regards as fact whereas the first conditional is for predicting the result of an action or particular situation.
'If you heat water to 100C at sea level, it boils.'
It can also be used when the speaker believes that when the condition is fulfilled the result is always the same e.g.
'If I am even 5 minutes late for work, my boss shouts at me.'
It is important to understand that the 'universal' truth of the last example is entirely in the mind of the speaker and that it doesn't allow for the situation when the boss might be absent or late too.
The first conditional is used when we want to say that when the condition, which must be quite possible, is fulfilled the result, in the speaker's opinion, should be or is very likely to be that stated. E.g.
'If you shout at your boss, he'll fire you."
So, the zero conditional is for stating what the speaker regards as fact whereas the first conditional is for predicting the result of an action or particular situation.
