Conditional Clauses

[Zero Conditional & First Conditional]

Conditional Clauses are used to speculate about what could happen, what might have happened, and
what we wish would happen. In English, most sentences using the conditional contain the word if. Many
conditional forms in English are used in sentences that include verbs in one of the past tenses. This
Conditional Clauses are also called as Conditional Sentences or if Clauses.
There are four types of conditional clauses. They are

1. Zero Conditional
2. First Conditional
3. Second Conditional
4. Third Conditional

1. Zero Conditional:
The zero conditional is called the present real conditional. It is for present actions. Scientific facts are
often covered by the zero conditional.

Structure of Zero Conditional:

In zero conditional sentences, the tense in both parts of the sentence is the simple present. The zero
conditional uses if or when and must be followed by the simple present or imperative. The structure of
the Zero Conditional is as follows:

If + Simple Present + Simple Present

Example:
When you heat ice, it melts.
In the above example, both parts of the sentence are in the simple present form.

In zero conditional sentences, the order of the clauses is not fixed. Even when we change the order the
order of the clauses by rearranging the pronouns and adjust punctuation, the meaning will not get
changed. In zero conditional sentences, we can replace "if" with "when", because both express general
truths.

Example:
If it rains, the grass gets wet. (or)
The grass gets wet if it rains. (or)
When it rains, the grass gets wet. (or)
The grass gets wet when it rains.

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Function:
The zero conditional is used to make statements about the real world, and often refers to general truths,
such as scientific facts. In these sentences, the time is now or always and the situation is real and
possible.

Examples:
If you freeze water, it becomes a solid.
Plants die if they don't get enough water.
If public transport is efficient, people stop using their cars.
If you mix red and blue, you get purple.

The zero conditional is also often used to give instructions, using the imperative in the main clause.

Examples:
If Ram phones, tell him to meet me at the cinema.
If you want to come, call me before 5:00.
Meet me here if we get separated.

It is important to remember that this condition is not related to the past, present or future - it only
applies to things which are always true.

Formation of Sentences:

 Affirmative Sentences:
Examples:
Meet me here if we get separated.
If you freeze water, it becomes a solid.
When it rains, the grass gets wet.

 Negative Sentences:
Negative Sentences can be formed by using do not, does not, am not, is not, or are not, just like
the simple present.

Examples:
If you exercise, you do not gain weight.
If I don’t study, I don’t do well on tests.
If you are not on time, you lose one mark.

 Interrogative Sentences:
Interrogative sentences can be formed, as like we do in the simple present, by reversing the
order.

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 Examples:
Does ice melt if you heat it?
When do you wake up if you have to work?
If you have to work, when do you wake up?

Uses of Zero Conditional:

There are four main uses of Zero conditional. They are

 Rules:
Examples:
If you take your cell phone into class, it must be turned off.
If you drink alcohol, don’t drive.
Do not use a calculator when you write the test.

 Scientific Facts and General Truths:

Examples:
If you heat water to 100 degrees Celsius, it boils.
If you drop something, it falls.
When you combine oil and water, they do not mix.

 Cause and Effect:

Examples:
If you push the button, the volume increases.
If you close the door, it locks automatically.
The computer turns off when you disconnect the battery.

 Routine Works:
Examples:
I wear my boots when I work.
She uses glasses when she drives.
When I cook, I use olive oil.

2. First Conditional:
The first conditional is called the future conditional. It is used to talk about the possibility of something
happening in the future. We use will to make the first conditional.

Structure of First Conditional:

In First Conditional, the tense in the 'if' clause is the simple present, and the tense in the main clause is
the simple future. The structure of the First Conditional is as follows:

If + Present Simple + Future Simple(Will + Verb)

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Examples:
If Ram invites me, I will go to the birthday party.
If it snows, we will go skiing.
If I see Mary, I will tell her.

In the first example, Ram is having the birthday party, but I will only go when he invites me. In the
second example, It looks like there is a chance of snow later. When the snow comes, we will go snowing.
Otherwise, we will not go skiing.

In zero conditional sentences, the order of the clauses is not fixed. Even when we change the order the
order of the clauses by rearranging the pronouns and adjust punctuation, the meaning will not get
changed. In zero conditional sentences, we can replace "if" with "when", because both express general
truths.
Example:
If it rains, you will get wet.(or)
You will get wet if it rains.

If you don't hurry, you will miss the bus.(or)

You will miss the bus if you don't hurry.

Function:
The first conditional refers to a possible condition and its probable result. These sentences are based on
facts, and they are used to make statements about the real world, and about particular situations. We
often use these sentences to give warnings. In first conditional sentences, the time is the present or
future and the situation is real.

Examples:
Nobody will notice if you make a mistake.
If you drop that glass, it will break.
If you don't leave, I'll call the police.

In first conditional sentences, we can also use modals in the main clause instead of the future tense to
express the degree of certainty, permission, or a recommendation about the outcome.

Examples:
If you drop that glass, it might break.
I may finish that letter if I have time.
If he calls you, you should go.

Formation of Sentences:
 Affirmative Sentences:
Examples:

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 If I have enough money, I will go to Japan.
If I study, I will pass the exam.
If it rains tomorrow, we'll go to the cinema.

 Negative Sentences:
Examples:
If it is cold tomorrow, she will not go to the beach.
If it is not hot tomorrow, I will stay home.
He will not play soccer if he is tired.

 Interrogative Sentences:
Examples:
Will you eat eggs if I cook breakfast?
Where will you eat if you go out for dinner?
If you win the game, will you have a celebration party?

Uses of First Conditional:

 Open condition, what is said in the condition is possible.
 It is mainly used to refer the possible future events that depend on other events.

Examples:
I’ll go shopping on the way home if I have time.
If it’s a nice day tomorrow, we’ll go to the beach.
If I finish my homework, I will do well on the test.
I will go to the beach this weekend if it is warm.

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