English Conditional Sentences — Zero and First Conditionals with Examples [Updated]
This lesson on the Zero and First Conditional in English has been updated.
The original lesson on this topic was published in November 2015.
Have you memorized the formulas for English conditional sentences but still feel confused about how and when to use them?
That’s understandable. Learning the formulas is a good start but to use them easily (and correctly) it’s important to understand exactly how we use conditionals in English conversation.
That’s what you’ll get in today’s Confident English lesson.
With today’s focus on Zero and First Conditionals, you’ll get practical examples of how to use English conditional sentences to share:
- Truths
- Probabilities
- Future Consequences
- Promises and Warnings
Most English classes and grammar books teach you the basic rules of conditionals, such as: If + present simple + will + infinitive
Again, that can be useful. But it doesn’t help you understand how to really use conditionals in your daily English life. This lesson will.
Don’t forget to review the other lessons in this series:
- Part 2: Second Conditionals in English
Zero vs. First Conditional in English
- When I’m too tired to cook, I order take-out. (zero conditional)
- If I’m too tired to cook tonight, I’ll order some take-out. (first conditional)
These two sentences are very similar but there is a difference in meaning between the two – can you identify the difference?
Read the sentences again and answer:
- Which one is a general truth?
- Which one is a likely probability?
If you’re not sure, let’s take a closer look at the Zero and First Conditional to help you answer those questions.
How to Use the Zero Conditional in English
Expressing General Truths
We can use the Zero Conditional to show or express a general truth. To do this, we use the Present Simple in both clauses. For example:
- If you heat ice, it melts.
That is a truth. Plain and simple.
Tip: With the Zero Conditional, we often replace “if” with “when.” For example:
- When/If I drink too much coffee, I get a headache.
Talking About Routines
We can also use this Zero Conditional structure to talk about our routines. Routines are things that we do regularly. For example:
- When I wake up, I always drink coffee first.
- When he goes to work, he rides his bicycle.
- When I arrive in the morning, I check my email first.
Can you think of some similar examples? Share them in the comments below.
How to Use the First Conditional in English
Probabilities
Can you predict – with 100% certainty – what will happen tomorrow? Do you always know exactly what will happen in the future? Probably not (but if you can – please tell me! I’d love to know the future!). 🙂
Okay. So we can’t tell the future with 100% certainty but we can express that we think something is very likely to happen or is probable.
And for this, we use the First Conditional. This form shows us something is likely in the future or very likely in the future based on a present situation or event.
Another helpful way to think of this is a REAL situation or event. Sometimes we refer to the First Conditional as the Real Conditional. Let’s look at an example:
- If it snows a lot tomorrow (present situation), the city will cancel school (future probability).
We are not 100% certain that the city will cancel school, but it is likely. We use the future tense (-the city will cancel school) to show that we are talking about a probable result in the future and it is a real. Here are two more examples:
- If it rains tomorrow, I will not go on my hike.
- If we complete this project under budget, the customer will be thrilled.
Future Consequences
Sometimes a present situation or event can have a future consequence. These consequences may be positive or negative, for example:
- Pizza sounds amazing for dinner! But if I eat it, I’ll feel terrible about it in the morning. → the future, negative consequence is I’ll feel terrible about it
- Sure, salads seem boring sometimes. But if I eat something healthy, I’ll sleep better. → a future, positive consequence.
- If you develop an effective self-care routine, you will be able to manage stress and anxiety better.
- If we don’t complete this project on time, the boss will be furious. → no one likes to make her boss angry… definitely a future, negative consequence.
Promises and Warnings
- If you cook dinner tonight, I will do the dishes. (promise)
- I will do all my homework now if you let me stay up late. (promise – imagine a child saying this to a parent)
- If you do that one more time, I won’t let you go to the party tomorrow night! (warning — imagine a parent upset with her child about something)
- If you don’t pay your invoice immediately, we will cancel your subscription. (warning)
The First Conditional is great for making promises to others or giving a warning.
Above I used the example warning: If you don’t pay your invoice immediately, we will cancel your subscription. This is warning to a client or customer. It is also a much more professional way to say: Pay now!
Here are more workplace examples:
- If the apartment becomes vacant, the owner will (likely) lose 2-3 months of payment. (warning)
- If we don’t complete this project on time, we will lose our client to our competition. (warning)
- If you reduce your price by 7%, we will sign the contract. (promise – could be used in bargaining or negotiating)
- We will compromise on the costs if you agree to our terms of service. (promise – again this could be used in bargaining or negotiating)
After you’ve watched the video and reviewed the lesson, I’d love to hear from you!
Think about your daily life – either your personal life or business life – and answer these questions.
- What truths or routines can you share using the Zero Conditional?
- What probabilities, consequences, promises or warnings can you use for work or for your daily life with the First Conditional?
Write down a couple examples in the comments section to practice. I will be sure to provide you with feedback.
Have a great week! – Annemarie
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Zero conditional: when the winter season turns into the spiring, all the ice covering on the rivers melts.
wnen I start traveling, I always reserve hotels in advance.
First conditional: If my sister comes and stays with mom, I will go back to my own home.
If the pandemic gets worse, everyone will be required to wear mask at anywhere.
If someone parks his or her car out of a park lot, he or she will get ticket.
Bravo! These are wonderful examples of the Zero and First Conditional forms.
When I reach office, I say hello everyone there one by one.
If I don’t finish plot in its dedicated time, I will get a deficeincy in ISO survey.
I said my niece, If you dont sleep soo, you will not wake up early, so you will loose chance of camp experience with your friends.
1) If You _____ what ____ You ____?
2) Daniel _____ his homework if he_______ it now.
3) what _____ Richard _____ ir the _______ to college
4) If I ______ tonight, I _____ TV instead
Great website! Thank you for an easy to understand lesson on conditionals. Here are my examples.
When I go to bed late at night, it is difficult for me to wake up on time and feel rested.
If it rains tomorrow, I will skip my morning walk.
If I am tired after work, I will stay in and order dinner.
If I don’t do laundry today, I will not have clean clothes to wear for work tomorrow.
I look forward to your feedback!
Hey, Annemarie,
I’ve just finished the three videos on using conditional in real life . But I have a question about it .
“There could be no doubt that if she were to speak, she would say nothing complimentary to Anna Mihalovna”
Does this sentence indicates she isn’t likely to speak ?
When I do homework, I listen my favorite music like Queen or Dire Straits or Alex Baroni.
If I drink too coffee in the afternoon, I don’t sleep tonitht.
If the client will be late, the session will be too short for optimize our results.
Good examples, Cinzia. With example 2, there’s one little change we want to make. We have two options: 1. “If I drink too much coffee in the afternoon, I ____ sleep tonight.” Because of the word ‘tonight’ we’re talking about the future. In that case, we need to make a change to the negative form. Do you know what it might be? 2. If we want to keep ‘don’t’ then we have to remove the word ‘tonight’ to show that this is something that happens consistently. So it would be, “If I drink too much coffee in the afternoon, I… Read more »
-When I come home after work, I take a shower.
-If the crisis of covid continue, I will lose my job.
-If you don’t clean your room, you will be punished.
Good examples with the zero and first conditional forms, Zeinab.
Zero Conditional…
1. When I wear face mask, I get skin irritation.
2. When I arrived home from work, I prepare our dinner right away.
First Conditional…
1. If the Covid cases increases, the government will implement a lockdown.
2. If we create a systematic approach, it will be easier for us accomplish the task faster.
3. If you graduate with honour, I will buy you a new car.
4. If you come home late again, you will be grounded.
Wow, wonderful examples for both zero and first conditionals, Cez! Nicely done.
how is the negative form from… If I´m late for dinner, start eating without me. Please, somebody help me.
Hi Karla, your sentence “If I’m late for dinner…” works perfectly well. However, if you want to tell them not to eat before you arrive, you could say, “If I’m late for dinner, please don’t start without me.”
1. When I bake snacks,I make it for the next whole week.
2. If I am all done with my work before evening, we will go for a walk.
3. If you do yoga everyday for few minutes, you will have healthy body and mind.
4. If you finish your lunch early, I will let you watch your favorite TV show.
Wonderful examples, Joya! Nicely done.
1) When I get enough sleep, I generally feel more energized and productive the next day.
2) If I don’t prioritize and organize my tasks, I wont be able to meet any deadlines.
Hi Siti. Thank you for your comment. I love your examples, and the first one is so true about me. If I don’t have enough sleep or poor quality of sleep, I’ll feel tired and unfocused. Well done!
Hi Annemarie! As always, I compliment you on this great lesson!! 👏
About my routine: When I start my workday, I always check my “to do list” so as not to forget anything important. About consequences: If we don’t stick to anti-covid regulations, the amount of infections won’t decrease.
About probability: If I spread myself to thin, I will be really worn out in the evening
About promises (for my child 😊): If you will play nice, there will be a great surprise for you tonight!!
Vania
Hi Vania. Thank you for sharing your examples with us. We’re glad to hear the lesson was useful for you. And your kid is lucky. I still love surprises!
1)When our children come to see us, we always sit down for a cup of coffee at first.
2) If the anti- corona vaccination gets on the market quickly, we’ll be able to have a more care-free life again.
3) If I tidy up the house immediately, I will have more time for reading.
Oh, fantastic examples, Marianne! You used the zero and first forms perfectly. Nicely done. More time for reading is certainly a good motivation to get things cleaned up. 😊
Thank you Annemarie very much for your excellent lessons, they’re very educational and helpful. -If you continue your school, you see your progress. (General truth) -When I get your weekly lessons, I always feel thrilled. (routine) -If the weather is good tomorrow, I will go to the park for a walk. (probability) -If you follow your trainer’s advice, you will get benefits from it. (Positive consequence) If you don’t work hard on your goal, you will not get better results. (negative consequence) -If you vacuum, I will do the laundry. (Promise) -If you don’t care about your school, I will… Read more »
Great work, Nasrin! I love these examples and you got them exactly right. Just for a challenge, in this example can you think of another way or a synonym to use for the words ‘not get better’:
“If you don’t work hard on your goal, you will get ____________ results.”
Thanks Annemarie for the feedback, that’s so good to understand my mistakes and redo it.
How about this sentence:
“If you don’t work hard on your goal, you will get minimum results.”
Hi Annemarie,
If I wake up late, I haven’t breakfast.
If I go to work tomorrow, I’ll not go to the party with you.
Great, Deise. Thanks for sharing your examples. There’s one change we want to make in the first sentence. In the second part, there is a negative and for that we need a helping verb in English: “If I wake up late, I _____ not have breakfast.”
Hi Annemarie,
Wonderful examples, Marta! And I hope you get your project finished. 😊
I will join you in the park if I finish my homework / when I finish my homework I will join you in the park. If she explains the situation well I will let her go with her boyfriend If I do 30 min. Exercises everyday, I will have a better health If you finish your homework on time I will allow you to watch your favorite show on TV for 30min If you don’t finish the vegetables in your plate, you won’t allowed to eat ice cream later for dessert If you don’t do your chores you won’t get… Read more »
When I wake up early I join the 6am yoga class online.
When I finish my goals I feel satisfied
Hi Annemarie, here it is my homework……
If I don’t run early in the morning, I become angry and nervous
When I listen to ANnemarie’s lessons with more concentration, I’ll improve my English rapidly
If I don’t do the simple things well, I won’t be able to get the world better
Best Tommaso
If you finish succesfully the project on time, you will be promoted as Project Director.
Hi Annemarie,
me too hated math, my mind was more creative than rational, so i imagined the numbers like little spiteful goblins 😉
Anyway,these are my examples:
1) When fall comes, the leaves fall
2) If I cook lasagna for dinner, my husband will be happy
3) If you go out without your coat, you will get a cold
Thank you so much for this possibility to understand and put into practice these two types of conditional <3
Annalisa
If I apply all that you teach in English, I will be easily fluent in speaking English.
Okay! If I don’t finish my homework today, I can’t have my relaxtime tonight!
When I wake up in the morning, I have meditation time.
If it will raining again, I will not go to visit Central Park in this afternoon.
Great examples, Cinzia! One little note, “If it will raining…” For the first conditional we want to use “If + present simple” so what adjustment could make to the verb?
Excellent
Great, but there’s a mistake in the second example:
Zero Conditional: When the climb is hot, i like to go to the beach
First Conditional: If i don’ t go to the job tomorrow, i will study english and watch some series.
Thanks for this great post.
I think, in your last example: “We will compromise on the costs if you will agree to our terms of service.”, there is an extra will
Thank you! you helped me alot
We are so glad to hear that! You are very welcome!
Hi ! thanks a lot for your help . I would like to know if it’s possible to say “If I put water on fire it may stop burning . Instead of will can we put ” may” or “can” . Here , I mean just a cup of water on a fire
Hellooooo!!! I am very sorry. I got problem with my smart phone, but, “better late than never”. Sorry to me.
According to this amazing lesson, this is what I can share with you:
– If I get money, I will travel to England.
– If you go slowly, you will arrive safely
– If he takes care of this car, he will go to India
Thanks so much for sharing your examples, Felix! I’m glad the lesson was useful to you. Well done!
welldone
Dear Annemarie, Thank you for your great job about how we can use conditionals in our daly English practise. I’m happy to repeat some grammar too. Here are my sentences. General truth: If the architect makes mistakes, the hause collapses. If the teacher places higher expectations on students, they will rise in occasion and excell in school. Talking about routins: If time permits, I go to work by bike. First conditional-probability: If it hails tomorow, all the sidewalk will slide. If it real happens, some of the passengers will meet with accident, and the casualty wards will be crowded. Future… Read more »
Thanks so much for sharing your examples, András. And I’m glad the lesson was useful to you!!
Could you clarify what you mean by “If it real happens…” –> I’m not sure what might happen here.
Best, Annemarie
If it hails tomorow, all the sidewalk will slide.
If it really happens, some of the passengers will meet with accident, and the casualty wards will be crowded.
So is better?
The second sentence refers to the first eventuality.
🙂 Andras
Hi András,
Ah, that you for clarifying. As sidewalk cannot slide, but people can slide on a sidewalk. We would say, “If it hails tomorrow, people might slide (we more often use the word “slip”) and fall on the sidewalk. It is the fall that may cause an injury.
Best, Annemarie
Dear Annemarie,
thank you a lot for great lesson and especially for workplace examples.
My zero conditional is: When I get up early in the morning I make a cup of cofee
When I work hard I receive better result
My first conditional is: If you send me full package of documents we will receive the products on time
If I take into account all requests I will make a profitable deal
Hi Yulia,
Excellent. It seems like you’ve understand the difference between the Zero and First Conditionals with your examples. Well done. And thank you for sharing!
~ Annemarie
Hello Yulia,
Excellent examples using the zero and first conditionals. Just one note: don’t forget to use the comma. That is an important punctuation to use in conditionals. Where would you put a comma in your examples?
Best, Annemarie
If you sit up very late, you feel sleep-deprived next day.
When my uncle break his leg, he has cast put on.
Anna will go to work earlier if her mother dismisses her from some of the morning assignments.
Their acquaintances will go through a rough patch if they change their attitude to certain issues.
I won’t help you if you don’t stop being so mean.
Hello Anetta, Thank you for sharing your examples! I love the last example as a warning. A few notes: 1. With sentences 3 and 4, I understand that you feel these situations are likely since you’re using the first conditional. Is that correct? If you feel they are unlikely, then we would switch to the second conditional. 2. The phrasal verb “sit up” means to sit with your back very straight. I think you might mean to “stay up” which means to stay up past one’s normal bedtime. 3. With sentence 2, this sounds like something that happened only one… Read more »
your generosity is uncountable, you are doing really great job. You have taken the level of my english to another stage, I am smitten to your leasons. Thanks abundanly keep up the great job……..
Zero conditionals:
if i dont play football, i get bored
if i sleep long, i became very tired…
First conditionals:
If I struggle hard, I will be successful in life.
If I read your leasons always, I will be great in english language like I wish.
Thank you for your lessons, first of all 🙂
I would like to share some sentences from my daily life 🙂
Zero sentences maybe could be these:
I sleep more, when Saturday comes.
If I come sleep late, I am tired in the morning.
First sentences:
If I work harder, I will earn more money.
I will got with you to the theater, if you ask me. 🙂
Dear Rasa – Thank you so much for your comments. I am thrilled you enjoy the online lessons. Great examples of the zero and first conditional! For “If I come to sleep late, I am tired in the morning.” –> We use the verb “go to” with sleep. We can say, “If I go to sleep late, I am tired in the morning.” This is a good example of a personal truth. Great job! Your examples for the first conditional are perfect. These are great examples of: Truth: If I work harder … Promise: I will go with you to… Read more »
What you are doing here is amazing!!! Your effort and your way to teach are incredible. Thanks a lot!!! It works, perfectly works for me! What I want to learn is -hopefully you have in next sessions- that “how to be kind to your friends and also to professional connections.” For me it is a bit challenging to express myself as a kind person in English in a casual way and in a professional way. Because it is enough just to change the tone of voice to be king in my native language (Turkish). I am looking forward to seeing… Read more »
Not to be king but to be kind 🙂
Dear Bahar –
What a kind and generous comment! Thank you so much.
I am really happy to know you find these lessons useful.
I love your suggestion! It is a very interesting topic for many people I think. How we express kindness or politeness can be very different among languages and cultures. I will certainly add it to my list for future lessons! Would it be ok to email you with some questions to make sure I provide the best answer for you?
Thanks so much Bahar!
Annemarie