What is the difference between zero and first conditional?
Use zero conditional for facts and routines: if + present, present. Use first conditional for a real future possibility: if + present, will. Normally, do not put will after if.
- If the printer stops, I call IT is a routine.
- If it stops today, I'll call IT is a real plan.
- When often fits a certain future event better.
A2 · Conditionals · 11 minZero and first conditionals — routines and real plans.
Learn two simple if-then patterns for facts, routines, and real possibilities. Clear everyday and office examples help you — free to try, with no signup.
- CEFR levelA2 · Elementary
- TimeAbout 11 minutes
- Core ideaevery time or this time
- Blocks10 blocks
01 / 07
What is the difference between zero and first conditional?
The zero conditional describes facts and routines, while the first conditional describes a real future possibility. Compare two situations with the same printer. "If the printer stops, I call IT" says what you do every time. It describes a normal office routine. "If the printer stops again today, I'll ask for a new one" looks at a possible problem today and your plan after it. This is not a fixed routine; it is a real decision about the future. Ask one short question: do you mean every time or this time? Every time points to the zero conditional. This time, tomorrow, or another real future plan often points to the first conditional. Both patterns begin with a condition and then show its result.
02 / 07
How do you form the zero conditional?
Form the zero conditional with if + present simple, present simple. In "If the printer stops, I call IT," both stops and call are in the present simple. The result happens regularly whenever the condition occurs. An everyday example is "If I miss the bus, I walk." A simple fact is "If you heat ice, it melts." The if-clause can also come second: "I call IT if the printer stops." The meaning stays the same. The zero conditional is useful for rules, habits, and fixed routines. It does not describe one plan for tomorrow. When you discuss one possible event on the calendar, you usually need the first conditional instead. For the zero conditional, remember: present condition, present regular result.
03 / 07
What are the first conditional rules?
The first conditional pattern is if + present simple, will + base verb for a real future possibility and its result. For example, say "If it rains tomorrow, we'll cancel the workshop." Rain is possible but not certain. Cancelling is your plan in that case. At work, use "If the client agrees, we'll start in May." After if, agrees is in the present simple. The main clause has we'll start. You can also use can there when the result is about possibility: "If the client agrees, we can start in May." The if-clause can come second too: "We'll start in May if the client agrees." The division stays the same: present simple for the condition, then will or a suitable modal in the possible result.
04 / 07
Why is there no will in a normal first-conditional if-clause?
A normal first-conditional if-clause uses the present simple even though the condition concerns the future. Say "If it rains tomorrow, we'll cancel the workshop," not "If it will rain tomorrow, we'll cancel the workshop." German patterns with wenn and werden can encourage this wrong form. The same problem appears in "If the client will agree, we can start in May." The natural sentence is "If the client agrees, we can start in May." The future marker belongs in the main clause, not the normal if-clause. There is a special polite use of will in an if-clause when will means willingness, but that is not the simple future pattern. For your A2 sentences, keep the safe rule: use present simple after if.
05 / 07
When do you use if or when for the future?
Use if for a possible future event and when for a future event treated as certain. Compare "If I see him later, I'll tell him" with "When I see him at three, I'll tell him." In the first sentence, you do not know whether the meeting will happen. In the second, there is a fixed appointment at three. German often uses wenn for both ideas. That can produce "If I see him at three, I'll tell him" even when the meeting is already scheduled. In that situation, when is more natural. The future meaning after when also uses the present simple: "When I see him," not "When I will see him." Ask whether the event is only possible or already certain. Possible points to if. Certain points to when.
06 / 07
Which zero and first conditional mistakes do German speakers make?
German speakers often put will inside the first-conditional if-clause or choose if even when an appointment is certain. The first error comes from German werden: "If it will rain tomorrow" feels like a direct transfer. Change it to "If it rains tomorrow." With a client, "If the client will agree" becomes the natural "If the client agrees." The second error appears because German wenn can cover both if and when. For a fixed meeting, say "When I see him at three, I'll tell him." One more simple test separates zero and first conditionals: does the sentence describe your normal reaction or a plan for one real case? A routine needs present plus present. A real future case needs present plus will.
07 / 07
How do you use zero and first conditionals at work?
At work, use the zero conditional for fixed procedures and the first conditional for real next steps. A routine can be "If the printer stops, I call IT." "If a client emails after five, I reply the next morning" also describes a normal process. For a plan, say "If the client agrees, we'll start in May." Before a workshop, use "If it rains tomorrow, we'll move the event inside." For a certain appointment, switch to when: "When I see him at three, I'll tell him." These patterns show clearly whether you are explaining a general rule or reacting to one possible situation. Read your sentence once more and ask: every time or this time? That small question usually leads you to the right form.