Vocabulary
6 key words for this lesson
CONDITION
Something that must happen first for another thing to happen.
The "if" part of the sentence is the condition.
RESULT
What happens because of the condition.
The result is in the second part of the sentence.
FACT
Something that is always true.
Ice melts in the sun. That's a fact.
LIKELY
Probably going to happen.
If it's sunny, we'll likely go to the beach.
UNLESS
If not.
You won't pass unless you study. (= if you don't study)
MELT
To turn from solid to liquid because of heat.
If you leave ice in the sun, it melts.
Grammar Focus
Understand the grammar rule behind this lesson's topic
Grammar focus
Grammar Focus: Zero vs First Conditional
ZERO: If + present simple, present simple → always true (facts, rules, habits). FIRST: If + present simple, WILL + base verb → a real, possible future result. Note: we never use "will" in the IF part.
Phrases
5 phrases and their meanings
If + present, present
Zero conditional: facts, rules, general truths.
If it rains, the ground gets wet.
If + present, will + verb
First conditional: real and possible future.
If you eat too much candy, you will feel sick.
No "will" after "if"
In the IF clause, use the present simple — even for the future.
✓ If it rains tomorrow… ✗ If it will rain tomorrow…
Comma rule
If the sentence starts with IF, use a comma. If IF is in the middle, no comma.
If you study, you'll pass. / You'll pass if you study.
Unless = if not
Use "unless" to say "if … not".
We'll be late unless we leave now.
In Action
Hear how these phrases sound in real B2B situations
“This is the most common mistake with conditionals. The future idea is shown by "will" in the RESULT part only.”
Register
Understand when and how to use each phrase — formal, neutral, or informal
Videos
Watch these terms used in context
Dialogue
Read the dialogue and hover the blue words for definitions
Tim
KiraKira, you look tired. Are you OK?
I had coffee at 9 p.m. If I drink coffee at night, I can't sleep. It's a fact for me!
Same here. Listen, are we still going hiking on Saturday?
If the weather is good, we'll go. But if it rains, we'll stay at home and watch a film.
The forecast says it's likely to be sunny. If we leave early, we'll avoid the heat.
Good idea. But I won't come unless I get some sleep tonight!
Ha! Then no coffee after lunch. If you don't drink coffee, you sleep well.
Deal. If I sleep well, I'll bring snacks for the hike.
Exercises
Complete all three exercises to see your final score
Matching
Click a word, then click its correct definition.
Click a word on the left, then its definition on the right.
Words
Definitions
Fill in the Blank
Drag the correct words from the word bank to complete each sentence.
Sentence 1
If you mix red and blue, you— — —purple.
Sentence 2
If it rains, we— — —stay at home.
Sentence 3
If you heat ice, it— — —.
Sentence 4
If you don't study, you— — —pass the test.
Sentence 5
If she— — —the bus, she will be on time.
Sentence 6
We'll be late— — —we leave now.
Tip: Think about the meaning of each word and what makes sense in the sentence.
Multiple Choice
Choose the best answer for each question about the dialogue.
1.Which sentence is a zero conditional?
2.Which sentence is correct?
3.When do we use the first conditional?
4."Unless you hurry, you'll miss the bus" means…
5.Why is Kira tired in the dialogue?
6.What will they do if it rains?