Zero and First Conditional Exercises
Do more with this exercise
Zero and first conditional
Use if to say what happens when something else happens. The zero conditional is for things that are always true: If you drop a glass, it breaks. The first conditional is for something that is possible in the future: If it rains tomorrow, we will stay at home.
- Zero conditional:
- Use if + present simple, then the present simple. We use it for facts and for things that always happen: If you don't sleep, you feel tired.
- First conditional:
- Use if + present simple, then will + the base verb. We use it for something that is possible in the future: If I have time tomorrow, I will call you.
- No will after if:
- Do not use will in the if part. Say If it rains, we will stay at home. Do not say If it will rain.
- Comma:
- When the if part comes first, write a comma after it: If it rains, we will stay at home. You can also put it second, with no comma: We will stay at home if it rains.
- Negatives and questions:
- Use don't or doesn't in the if part, and won't (will not) in the result: If it is cold, we won't go to the beach. For a question, put will after what: What will you do if you miss the bus?
- Short forms:
- In speaking, we say I'll for I will, and won't for will not: If you are hungry, I'll make you a sandwich.
Examples
If you drop a glass, it breaks.
This is always true, so use the present simple in both parts: zero conditional.
If I have time tomorrow, I will call you.
This is possible tomorrow. Use the present simple after if, and will + base verb in the result.
If it rains on Sunday, we won't go to the park.
Won't go is the negative: will not go. After if, we use rains, not will rain.
We will stay at home if it rains.
The if part can come second. Then we do not write a comma.
What will you do if you miss the bus?
In a question, will comes after what. The if part still uses the present simple.
If you don't eat, you get hungry.
Zero conditional, negative: use don't in the if part. The result is a fact.
Practice exercises
Choose the Correct Form
Choose the correct answer.
1.If you mix blue and yellow, you ___ green.
2.If it ___ tomorrow, we will stay at home.
3.If she studies tonight, she ___ the test tomorrow.
4.If we ___ the bus, we will be late.
5.___ you need help, call me.
6.Choose the sentence about something that is always true.
Fill in the Blank
Type the correct form of the verb. The hint shows the verb and the form to use.
Put the Words in Order
Click the words in the correct order to build the sentence.
13. Build the sentence:
14. Build the sentence:
15. Build the sentence:
16. Build the sentence:
True or False
Decide if each statement is true or false.
17.'If it will rain, we will stay at home' is correct English.
18.'If you drop a glass, it breaks' is about something that is always true.
19.'If I have time tomorrow, I will call you' is about something possible in the future.
20.When the if part comes first, we usually write a comma after it.
21.'If you don't eat, you get hungry' is only about tomorrow.
If Sentences: Facts and Possible Plans
We use if to say what happens when something else happens. There are two very common types. The first is for facts, and the second is for things that are possible in the future.
The zero conditional is for things that are always true. Use the present simple in both parts: If you drop a glass, it breaks. If you don't sleep, you feel tired. It is the same every time, so it is a fact.
The first conditional is for something that is possible in the future. Use the present simple after if, and will + base verb in the result: If it rains tomorrow, we will stay at home. If I have time, I will call you. The negative uses won't: If it is cold, we won't go to the beach.
The most common mistake is will after if. Do not say 'If it will rain'. Say If it rains. Remember the comma, too. When the if part comes first, write a comma after it: If it rains, we will stay at home. When the if part comes second, there is no comma: We will stay at home if it rains.
The exercises above practice both types: choosing the correct verb form, completing sentences, building sentences in the correct order, and deciding if a statement is true or false.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the zero and the first conditional?
The zero conditional is for facts and things that always happen: If you heat water, it gets hot. Both verbs are in the present simple. The first conditional is for something that is possible in the future: If it rains, we will stay at home. The result uses will.
Can I use will after if?
No. After if, use the present simple: If it rains tomorrow, we will stay at home. Do not say 'If it will rain'. Will goes in the other part of the sentence.
When do I write a comma?
Write a comma when the if part comes first: If you are tired, go to bed. When the if part comes second, do not write a comma: Go to bed if you are tired.
Can I use when instead of if?
In the zero conditional, yes: If you heat ice, it melts and When you heat ice, it melts mean the same, because it always happens. In the first conditional, use if when something may or may not happen. Use when if you are sure it will happen: When I get home, I will call you.
What can I put in the result part?
In a first conditional, use will + base verb: I will call you. You can also give an instruction: If you need help, call me. For the negative, use won't: We won't go out.
Answer key
1. If you mix blue and yellow, you ___ green.
Answer: get
This is always true, so we use the present simple. With you, the verb is get.
2. If it ___ tomorrow, we will stay at home.
Answer: rains
Do not use will after if. Use the present simple: if it rains.
3. If she studies tonight, she ___ the test tomorrow.
Answer: will pass
The test is tomorrow, so we use will + base verb: will pass. After will, the verb has no -s.
4. If we ___ the bus, we will be late.
Answer: miss
After if, use the present simple. With we, the verb is miss.
5. ___ you need help, call me.
Answer: If
If starts the condition. The result can be an instruction: call me.
6. Choose the sentence about something that is always true.
Answer: If you drop a glass, it breaks.
A glass breaks every time, so this is a fact. The other two sentences are about one possible day in the future.
7. If I ___ work early tonight, I will call you.
Answer: finish
After if, use the present simple. With I, the verb is finish.
8. If it rains tomorrow, we ___ at home.
Answer: will stay
The result of a first conditional uses will + base verb: will stay, or the short form 'll stay.
9. If you don't drink water, you ___ thirsty.
Answer: get
This is always true, so we use the present simple. With you, the verb is get.
10. If he ___ the bus, he will be late for work.
Answer: misses
After if, use the present simple. With he, the verb ends in -es: misses.
11. If it is cold tomorrow, we ___ go to the beach.
Answer: won't
The negative of will is won't or will not.
12. If you are hungry, I ___ a sandwich for you.
Answer: will make
The result uses will + base verb: will make, or the short form 'll make.
13. will / it / , / we / home / If / stay / rains / at / .
Answer: If it rains, we will stay at home.
The order is if + it rains, then we will stay. Write a comma after the if part.
14. miss / what / bus / you / do / if / will / the / you / ?
Answer: What will you do if you miss the bus?
In a question, will comes after what and before you. The if part comes last.
15. feel / sleep / you / If / , / tired / don't / . / you
Answer: If you don't sleep, you feel tired.
This is a fact, so both parts use the present simple. The negative is don't sleep.
16. cold / go / won't / I / if / it / out / is / .
Answer: I won't go out if it is cold.
The result comes first, so there is no comma: I won't go out + if it is cold.
17. 'If it will rain, we will stay at home' is correct English.
Answer: False
We do not use will in the if part. The correct sentence is: If it rains, we will stay at home.
18. 'If you drop a glass, it breaks' is about something that is always true.
Answer: True
A glass breaks every time you drop it, so this is a zero conditional. Both verbs are in the present simple.
19. 'If I have time tomorrow, I will call you' is about something possible in the future.
Answer: True
It is a first conditional: if + present simple, then will + base verb.
20. When the if part comes first, we usually write a comma after it.
Answer: True
We write: If it is sunny, we will go out. With the if part second, there is no comma.
21. 'If you don't eat, you get hungry' is only about tomorrow.
Answer: False
This is always true, for every day. It is a zero conditional, not a plan for tomorrow.