Rule: Zero and First Conditional ShowHide

Zero conditional

If / When + Present Simple, Present Simple

Things that are always true: facts, science, habits.

If you heat ice, it melts.
When the sun rises, the street lights go out.

First conditional

If + Present Simple, will + verb

A real possibility in the future and its result.

If he doesn't go to bed now, he'll be tired tomorrow.
If you wash your car, it will rain the next morning.

unless

unless = if … not

Unless you exercise, you'll get fat.
= If you don't exercise, you'll get fat.

No will after if: If it rains tomorrow, not If it will rain. When the if-part comes first, put a comma after it: If you drop a glass, it breaks. / A glass breaks if you drop it.

Games on Zero and First Conditional

Ready-made games on this topic. Open one on the board and play in teams.

Open the Box · 15 boxesZero and First Conditional team game (A2)A team game for A2: open a box and answer – Zero and First Conditional.Play

Flashcards · 24 cardsZero and First Conditional practice (A2)Cards for A2: answer, then flip the card to check – Zero and First Conditional.Play

Play this exercise

The sentences of this exercise as a game – nothing to set up.

Open the BoxTeam gameOpen a box, answer, win points.Play

FlashcardsFlip and checkSay the answer, then flip the card.Play