Conditionals

Conditionals are "if" sentences. They tell us what happens when a certain condition is met. For example, "If you press the button, the light turns on."

What You'll Learn

• How to form Type 0 conditionals for facts and universal truths
• How to form Type 1 conditionals for real and likely future events
• How to tell the difference between Type 0 and Type 1
• Where to place the comma in a conditional sentence

When to Use

1. Facts that are always true (Type 0): "If you heat ice, it melts."
2. Scientific truths (Type 0): "If you mix yellow and blue, you get green."
3. Things that will likely happen in the future (Type 1): "If it rains tomorrow, we will stay indoors."
4. Promises and warnings (Type 1): "If you finish your homework, I will take you to the park."
5. General rules (Type 0): "If the traffic light turns red, cars stop."

How to Form

Type 0 -- Zero Conditional (Facts and Universal Truths)

Use this when the result always happens whenever the condition is true. Both clauses use the simple present tense.

Full sentence: If you drop a ball, it falls to the ground.

Type 1 -- First Conditional (Real Future)

Use this when the condition is possible or likely to happen. The if-clause uses the present tense, and the main clause uses "will" + base verb.

Full sentence: If it rains tomorrow, we will cancel the match.

How to Tell Type 0 from Type 1

Key Rules

1. Type 0 uses present tense in both clauses: Both the if-clause and the main clause use the simple present because the result is a fact. "If the sun sets, it gets dark."

2. Type 1 uses present tense + will: The if-clause uses the present tense, and the main clause uses "will" + base verb. "If she practises every day, she will improve."

3. Never put "will" in the if-clause: The if-clause always uses the present tense, even when you are talking about the future. "If it rains..." (Not: If it will rain...)

4. Comma when the if-clause comes first: When the sentence starts with "if", put a comma between the if-clause and the main clause. "If you study hard**,** you will pass."

5. No comma when the main clause comes first: When the main clause is at the front, no comma is needed. "You will pass if you study hard."

6. The if-clause can go first or second: Both orders have the same meaning. "If I wake up early, I will go jogging." = "I will go jogging if I wake up early."

Common Mistakes

Clue Words

Type 0 clue words (facts and general truths)

always, every time, whenever, generally

These words suggest something that always happens, so the sentence is likely a Type 0 conditional with present tense in both clauses.

Type 1 clue words (real future possibility)

tomorrow, next week, soon, later, tonight, probably

These words point to a future event, so the sentence is likely a Type 1 conditional with "will" in the main clause.

Tip: Check the main clause. If it uses the present tense, the sentence is Type 0 (a fact). If it uses "will", the sentence is Type 1 (a future possibility). The if-clause looks the same in both types -- it always uses the present tense.

Practice Tips

1. The "always true" test: Read the sentence and ask yourself, "Does this happen every single time?" If yes, it is Type 0 (present + present). If it depends on something that might or might not happen, it is Type 1 (present + will).

2. Find the if-clause: Look for the word "if". Everything on the same side as "if" is the if-clause. Check that this part uses the present tense -- never "will".

3. Comma check: After writing a conditional sentence, check whether the if-clause is at the front. If so, make sure there is a comma separating it from the main clause.

4. Swap the order: Try flipping the sentence. Move the if-clause to the back, or move it to the front. Both orders should make sense. Remember to add or remove the comma when you swap.

Quick Reference