Zero and First Conditional Exercises and Examples

Zero and First Conditional – Exercises

These exercises focus on Zero and First Conditional

What Are the Zero and First Conditional?

Zero Conditional

The Zero Conditional is used to talk about general truths, scientific facts, or situations that are always true.
Structure:
If + Present Simple, Present Simple

Example:
If you heat water to 100°C, it boils.
(This is a scientific fact—it always happens.)

First Conditional

The First Conditional is used to talk about real and possible situations in the future. It describes what will happen if a specific condition is met.
Structure:
If + Present Simple, will + base verb

Example:
If it rains tomorrow, we will cancel the picnic.
(This is a possible future outcome.)

Illustration of Zero and First Conditional

Rules and Structure

Conditional Type	Purpose	Structure	Example
Zero Conditional	General truths or facts.	If + Present Simple, Present Simple	If you mix red and yellow, you get orange.
First Conditional	Real future possibilities.	If + Present Simple, will + base verb	If you study hard, you will pass the exam.

Key Differences Between Zero and First Conditional

Aspect	Zero Conditional	First Conditional
Time Focus	Always true, in the present.	Possible in the future.
Result Certainty	Always happens if the condition is met.	Might happen if the condition is met.
Examples	If you press the button, the light turns on.	If you press the button, the machine will start.

Common Errors and How to Fix Them

Mistake	Why It’s Wrong	Correct Sentence
If it rains, we cancel the trip.	Mixing tenses; First Conditional needs "will."	If it rains, we will cancel the trip.
If water boils, it evaporates.	This is correct for Zero Conditional!	(No correction needed.)
If I study hard, I pass the test.	Wrong tense in the result clause.	If I study hard, I will pass the test.
If you heat ice, it will melt.	"Will" is unnecessary for Zero Conditional.	If you heat ice, it melts.

Examples in Everyday Use

Zero Conditional

If you don’t water plants, they die.
If the sun sets, it gets dark.
If you touch fire, it burns.

First Conditional

If you call me, I will answer.
If they arrive on time, we will start the meeting.
If she studies, she will pass the exam.

Everyday Tips to Master Zero and First Conditional

Focus on Time:

Use the Zero Conditional for general facts.
Use the First Conditional for future situations.

Practice Switching Between the Two:
Write a fact as a Zero Conditional, then imagine a future scenario and rewrite it as a First Conditional:

Zero: If you heat water, it boils.
First: If you heat water, it will boil faster with a lid.

Ask Yourself Questions:

Zero: "What always happens if...?"
First: "What might happen in the future if...?"

Listen and Observe:
Listen to native speakers or watch TV shows to notice how these conditionals are used in real-life conversations.

FAQ

What’s the main difference between Zero and First Conditional?

The Zero Conditional talks about general truths, while the First Conditional refers to future possibilities.

Can I use "when" instead of "if"?

Yes, especially for the Zero Conditional. For example:

Zero: When you heat water, it boils.
First: When it rains, we will stay home.

Can I use "might" in the First Conditional?

Yes! You can replace "will" with "might" to show less certainty:

If it’s sunny tomorrow, we might go to the beach.

Are there other conditionals?

Yes, there are four main conditionals in English: Zero, First, Second, and Third.

How can I practice these conditionals?

Try creating sentences about your daily life or future plans. For example:

Zero: If I eat too much, I feel sick.
First: If I exercise tomorrow, I will feel better.