ZERO
CONDITIONAL
&
IMPERATIVE
CONDITIONAL
Conditional sentences in English
are used to talk about events and
their results.
There are two parts to a conditional sentence.
There is an if-clause (also called the
conditional-clause) and a main-clause or result-
clause. The if-clause contains the condition (the
event or situation that must happen first), and
the main-clause, which is the result. The two
events are connected. One event or situation is
a condition for another event or situation.
The zero (0) conditional is the factual
conditional. It is used to talk about habits,
scientific facts, general truths, instructions and
rules, if something else happens first.
If this event happens or if this condition exists,
this is what happens.
These are things that are real, so this
conditional is also called the real factual
conditional or the real present conditional.
The Zero Conditional Structure
Take a look at this condition:
If I get lost,
This is not a complete sentence. There is some
information missing. What happens if you get lost?
What do you do? We need another clause to explain
what happens. Take a look at this result:
I ask for directions.
This is a complete sentence, but there is also some
information missing. When do you ask for
directions? Under what conditions do you ask for
directions?
If I get lost, I ask for directions.
This is the easiest conditional sentence
remember, because you use the present simple
tense in both clauses of the sentence:
If + present simple, present simple
WHEN TO USE THE ZERO CONDITIONAL
1. Habits
In English, you can use the zero conditional
sentence structure to talk about your habits, or things
that you always do in certain situations or conditions.
If this event or condition happens, this is what I do.
2. Scientific facts
This is what happens if this happens first.
3. General truths & facts
These things are not scientific facts, but they are
things that are true, or that we generally believe are
true.
4. Instructions & Rules
You can use the imperative in the result-clause to
give instructions, advice, or explain rules.
IMPERATIVE CONDITIONAL
The difference between using the imperative in the
zero conditional and the first conditional is the context.
You use the zero conditional to talk about present
habits, general truths, and scientific facts. You use the
first conditional to talk about things that are possible
or may happen in the future. The sentences look
exactly the same, it´s the intention what changes the
meaning on each sentence and the conditional.
An imperative conditional is a sentence like this:
a conditional, the whole, or some part of which,
is in the imperative mood. It’s a direct order:
•Attack at dawn if the weather is fine!
•Attack at dawn if and only if the weather is fine!
•You can leave the classroom if you finished
your work!
ZERO CONDITIONAL If + present simple present simple
If sleep enough, I can think clearly.
FIRST CONDITIONAL If + V1 Will (imperative/modals)
If the weather is fine, we’ll go on a hike.
SECOND CONDITIONAL If + V2 Would
If I were you, I would do my best to win.
THIRD CONDITIONAL If + Past Perfect Would have + V3
If it had been raining yesterday, we wouldn’t have ridden our bikes.
