97 Zero Conditional and First Conditional
1   Look at this:
If + PRESENT SIMPLE      + PRESENT SIMPLE
If    I eat too much,          I feel bad.
(= Every time I eat too much, I feel bad.)
We use this structure (if + Present Simple + Present Simple) for facts that are generally true. This structure is called the Zero Conditional:
If I don't get enough sleep, I feel tired. (= Every time I don't get enough sleep, I
feel tired.) If you want to become a doctor, you have to study hard. (= Anyone who wants to become a doctor has to study hard.)
2   We can say the same thing by reversing the two parts of the sentence:
PRESENT SIMPLE      + if     + PRESENT SIMPLE
I feel bad                  if      I eat too much.
Note that we do not use a comma (,) before if.
3   Now look at this:
If + PRESENT SIMPLE
If    I'm late,
+ will/won't she'll be angry.
(= Perhaps I will be late; then she'll be angry.)
We use this structure (if + Present Simple + will/won't) to talk about things that may happen in the future. The verb after if is Present Simple, but we use it for a possible future action or situation; we use will/won't + verb for the result. This structure is called the First Conditional:
FUTURE POSSIBILITY
//   we don't hurry,
+ RESULT
we won't finish.
4   We can reverse the order:
She'll be angry if I'm late.
We won't finish if we don't hurry.
5   We do not use will/won't after if:
not If I will be late, she'll be angry.
Practice
Put these facts about various types of people into sentences with if+ Present Simple + Present Simple. Make you the subject of both parts of the sentence.
►  Doctors treat people who are ill.
.'f .YP.y'ľP. $ do^PPS'. y?u tyč^P. j??í?pi?. Vít1?. #r?. š']-...................................................
1    Vegetarians don't eat meat.
If you' re a vegetarian, ..............................................................................
2   People who live in a hot country don't like cold weather.
If you live..............................................................................................
3   Teachers have to work very hard.
If you're a teacher, ..................................................................................
4   People who do a lot of exercise stay fit and healthy.
If you...................................................................................................
5   Mechanics understand engines.
If you're a.............................................................................................
6   People who read newspapers know what's happening in the world.
If you...................................................................................................
PAGE 212 • CONDITIONALS AND REPORTED SPEECH
B   Complete these sentences with if + Present Simple + will/won't, using the words in brackets (). Sometimes you do not need to change the words in brackets.
►  If &Fŕtfn?............... (it/rain), we won't $o..........(we/not/go) out.
1    If ........................ (the weather/be) nice tomorrow, ........................ (we/drive) to
the coast.
2    If ........................ (she/post) the letter now, ........................ (they/receive) it
tomorrow.
3   ........................ (Fiona/be) angry if ........................ (John/arrive) late again.
4   ........................ (I/go) to their party if ........................ (I/have) enough time.
5   If ........................ (she/not/pass) this exam, ........................ (she/not/get) the job
that she wants.
6   ........................ (you/learn) a lot if........................ (you/take) this course.
7   If ........................ (I/get) a ticket, ........................ (I/go) to the concert.
8   ........................ (I/buy) that camera if........................ (it/not/cost) too much.
9   If ........................ (you/run) very fast, ........................ (you/catch) the bus.
10   ........................ (I/go) to the doctor's if ........................ (I/not/feel) better tomorrow.
11    If ........................ (they/win) this game, ........................ (they/be) the champions.
C   Complete the dialogues with the Present Simple or wi/llwon't forms of the words in brackets (). Sometimes you do not need to change the words in brackets.
► A: We must be at the airport at two o'clock.
B: Well, if we take.............. (we/take) a taxi at one o'clock, we won't be..........
(we/not/be) late.
1    A: I'd like a newspaper.
B: Well, ........................ (I/buy) one for you if ........................ (I/go) to the
shop later.
2   A: Has John phoned yet? B: No, and if ........................ (he/not/phone) this afternoon,
........................ (I/phone) him this evening.
3   A: Is Fiona there, please? B: No, but if ........................ (you/want) to leave a message,
........................ (I/give) it to her.
4   A: Is Tim going to pass his exam? B:Well......................... (he/fail) if ........................ (he/not/work) harder.
5   A: Could I have some information about this year's concerts, please? B: Yes, if........................ (you/fill in) this form, ........................ (I/send) it
to you in the post.
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