Zero and First Conditional & Future Time Clauses

Talk about facts, real future possibilities, and conditions.

LEARNING GOALS

check_circleI can talk about general truths and scientific facts using the zero conditional.
check_circleI can express real future possibilities using the first conditional.
check_circleI can use future time clauses with words like 'unless', 'in case', and 'as soon as'.

B1+15 min

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PART 01

Discover

Meet today's English in a real situation — no rules yet. Read it once and try to guess the pattern in the words in bold. Underlined words open a short definition.

Sarah: Hey Mark! Are you still coming to the hiking trip tomorrow?

Mark: Yes, I am! But I’m a bit worried about the weather. If it rains heavily, the trails get very slippery.

Sarah: That’s true. Unless the weather is terrible, we will still go. But we need to be prepared.

Mark: Right. I’ll bring some extra clothes in case we get wet. What time are we meeting?

Sarah: I will text you the exact location as soon as I figure it out. I’m waiting for David to confirm.

Mark: Sounds good. If David comes, he will probably want to drive. He loves taking his new truck to the mountains.

Sarah: Exactly. And remember, provided that we start early, we will have enough time to reach the summit before dark. It’s a general rule in hiking: when you start late, you run out of daylight!

Mark: Don’t worry, I won’t be late! I always set three alarms in case the first one doesn’t wake me up.

Sarah: Great! Let’s hope the summit isn’t covered in clouds. The view is amazing up there.

Mark: I’m sure it will be fine. I’ll buy some snacks on my way home today.

Sarah: Perfect. See you tomorrow!

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PART 02

Learn

Now the rules behind what you just saw — explained simply, with examples. Underlined words open a short definition — hover on desktop, tap on a phone.

In English, we use different conditionals to talk about different levels of certainty. Today we will focus on things that are generally true (Zero Conditional) and things that are real possibilities in the future (First Conditional). We will also look at how to use future time clauses to connect actions.

1. The Zero Conditional: Facts and General Truths

We use the zero conditional to talk about things that are always true, like scientific facts or general rules.

Pattern: If + Present Simple, Present Simple (You can also use ‘when’ instead of ‘if’ with no change in meaning.)

format_quoteEXAMPLE

If you heat ice, it melts. (Or: When you heat ice, it melts.)
Plants die if they don’t get enough water.

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Notice that you can put the ‘if’ clause at the beginning or in the middle. If it’s at the beginning, use a comma before the second part.

2. The First Conditional: Real Future Possibilities

We use the first conditional to talk about a specific situation in the future that is possible or likely to happen.

Pattern: If + Present Simple, will / won't + infinitive

format_quoteEXAMPLE

If it rains tomorrow, we will stay at home.
She won’t pass the exam if she doesn’t study.

warningWARNING

Common Mistake: Don’t use ‘will’ in the ‘if’ clause!

~~If it will rain tomorrow, we will stay home.~~
If it rains tomorrow, we will stay home.

3. Future Time Clauses

When talking about the future, we often use words like when, as soon as, unless, in case, and provided that. Like the first conditional, we use the Present Simple after these words, even though we are talking about the future!

format_quoteEXAMPLE

As soon as: I will call you as soon as I arrive. (Immediately after)
Unless: We’ll go to the beach unless it rains. (If not / except if)
In case: Take an umbrella in case it rains. (Because it might happen)
Provided that: You can go to the party provided that you finish your homework. (Only if)

boltQUICK REVIEW

Zero Conditional: If/When + Present Simple, Present Simple (General truths, facts)
First Conditional: If + Present Simple, will + infinitive (Real future possibilities)
Future Time Clauses: Use Present Simple after time words (when, as soon as, unless, in case, provided that) when talking about the future.
Remember: Never put ‘will’ directly after ‘if’, ‘when’, ‘as soon as’, etc.

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PART 03

Practice

Try it yourself. You'll see right away whether you got it right, plus a short explanation of why.

0 / 4 correct

1. Which sentence is a correct Zero Conditional talking about a general fact?

2. Choose the correct verb forms for this First Conditional sentence: 'If she ___ hard, she ___ the exam.'

3. Complete the sentence with the correct future time clause: 'I will buy some food ___ we get hungry later.'

4. Find the mistake in this sentence: 'I will call you as soon as I will arrive at the hotel.'

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PART 04

Use It

Now make the language yours in a real task. Use the prompt below — the editor keeps a simple word count, and nothing is saved or graded.

PROMPT

Write a short paragraph about your plans for next weekend. Use at least one zero conditional, one first conditional, and one future time clause (e.g., as soon as, unless, in case).

0 words

checklistCHECK YOURSELF

Before you finish — be honest. Can you do these now?

I can talk about general truths and scientific facts using the zero conditional.I can express real future possibilities using the first conditional.I can use future time clauses with words like 'unless', 'in case', and 'as soon as'.