ADVANCED 1 GRAMMAR SUMMARY: ZERO CONDITIONAL, FIRST CONDITIONAL AND FUTURE TIME CLAUSES 1. Zero Conditional • We use the zero conditional to express things or events that are always true or always happen • Structure: there are two possibilities (a) If + present tense (present simple, present continuous, present perfect), I present tense (present simple, present continuous, present perfect) (there is a comma if we write the if-part of the sentence first) Examples: If you heat (present simple) ice, it melts (present simple) If you haven't been (present perfect) to London, you haven't lived (present perfect) If you feel (present simple) so tired after work, you are working (present continuous) too much (b) Present tense (present simple, present continuous, present perfect) / If + present tense (present simple, present continuous, present perfect) (there is no comma if we do not write the if-part of the sentence first) Examples: Ice melts (present simple) if you heat (present simple) it. You haven't lived (present perfect) if you haven't been (present perfect) to London. You are working (present continuous) too much if you feel (present simple) so tired after work. 2. First Conditional • We use the first conditional to express a future possibility and its consequence • Structure: there are two possibilities ( a ) If + present tense (present simple, present continuous, present perfect), / Future form (will + infinitive, going to + infinitive, future perfect, future continuous or present continuous) or Imperative (there is a comma if we write the if-part of the sentence first) Examples: - If I know (present simple) the answers, I will pass (will + infinitive) the exam - If it rain s (present simple), take (imperative) an umbrella - If I have (present simple) the time, l'm going to fly (going to +infinitive) to Paris this summer - If he isn't feeling (present continuous) better, he won't play (will + infinitive) the match - If you study (present simple), you'll have finished (future perfect) Advanced 1 by June - If you call (present simple) me at two o' dock, I' ll be having (future continuous) lunch
( b ) Future form (will + infinitive, going to +infinitive, future perfect, future continuous or present continuous) or imperative / if + present tense (present simple, present continuous, present perfect) (there is no comma if we do not write the if-part of the sentence first) Examples: - I will pass (will + infinitive) the exam if I know (present simple) the answers - Take (imperative) an umbrella if it rains (present simple) - I'm going to fly (going to + infinitive) to Paris this summer if I have (present simple) the time - He won't play (will + infinitive) the match if he isn't feeling (present continuous) better - You'll have finished (future perfect) Advanced 1 by June if you study (present simple) - I’ll be having (future continuous) lunch if you call me at two o'clock. 3. Future time clauses • Future time clauses are part of conditional sentences where if is substituted by when, as soon as, until till, unless, in case, before, after, etc • When reinforces the idea of certainty while if expresses a possibility, e.g. When you see (present simple) John, pass (imperative) him my regards (first conditional sentence in which the speaker is certain the person he/she is talking to will see John). If you see (present simple) John, pass (imperative) him my regards (first conditional sentence in which the speaker expresses the possibility that the person he/she is taIking to will see John). • As soon as gives the idea of an immediate action I will start my homework as soon as I get home • Until/till I won't start my homework until/till I get home (I will start my homework the moment I get home, not before) • In case and if express different meanings - I will take a sandwich with me if I get hungry
(I will only take a sandwich if I get hungry)
- I will take a sandwich with me in case I get hungry (I think I will get hungry so I want to take a sandwich as a precaution) • Unless means if ... not She'll probably come unless she's studying (She'll probably come if she's not studying)