Learning English

... you'll get better!

If you practise, you'll get better... I'm sure you agree with that statement. But is it the zero or first conditional? That's the grammar we're looking at in this session.

Let's start by comparing the two, then we'll do a test to see how well you know the form. 

If / when + result

Conditional sentences have two parts: the if or when part and the result (main) part.

• When she eats too much cake, she feels bad. (zero conditional)
• I'll take my swimsuit if we go to the beach. (first conditional)

Read the text and complete the activity

Zero conditional

We use this to talk about things that are always true, whether they are scientific fact or personal beliefs. Both parts are in the present simple.

The zero conditional uses if / when + present simple, and present simple:

Positive

• If I drink milk, I get a stomachache.
• When you take exercise, your heart beats faster.

Negative

• I feel upset when he doesn't answer my calls.
• If you mix white and yellow, you don't get orange.

Question

• What comes out of a volcano when it erupts?

First conditional

We use this to talk about things which might happen if an action takes place. We use if for things which are likely to happen and when for things which are certain to happen.

It uses if / when + present simple, and will + infinitive (without 'to'):

Positive

• I'll do the cooking this evening if it's OK with you.
• When they finish work, they'll go home.

Negative

• I won't wait for you, if you're late again.
• When we go camping, we won't take our laptops.

Question

• Where will he live when he moves to the city?

Note: The if / when part can also come second in zero and first conditional sentences.

• I get a stomachache if I drink milk.
• They'll go home when they finish work.

To do

That's a brief introduction to the form. So do you think you can spot sentences which are grammatically correct and wrong? Find out in our test!

Next

Well done. Next it's time to test how well you can use them. When do you use the zero and when do you use the first conditional?