Lektion
Lesson: First Conditionals
Abschlussbedingungen
If we sell more, we will make a profit.
This lesson gives you a brief overview of first conditionals.
What's the difference between zero and first conditionals?
Let's have a look at these two sentences:
If you leave the milk out, it spoils. (zero conditional)
If you leave the milk out, it will spoil. (first conditional)
They are both grammatically correct - and factually, too.
In the first sentence, we are stating a fact. In general, if you leave milk out, it goes bad.
In the second sentence, we are stating a possible outcome based on the current situation. You could see it as a warning or some advice about a specific situation you are in.
So, for example, we might use the zero conditional to teach children the fact that you shouldn't leave milk out because milk spoils when it is not put into a fridge. We are teaching them a basic fact.
We might use the first conditional if somebody has just made a coffee and has forgotten to put the milk back in the fridge again. You are giving a friendly reminder that if they leave the milk out, then it will spoil.
If you leave the milk out, it spoils. (zero conditional)
If you leave the milk out, it will spoil. (first conditional)
They are both grammatically correct - and factually, too.
In the first sentence, we are stating a fact. In general, if you leave milk out, it goes bad.
In the second sentence, we are stating a possible outcome based on the current situation. You could see it as a warning or some advice about a specific situation you are in.
So, for example, we might use the zero conditional to teach children the fact that you shouldn't leave milk out because milk spoils when it is not put into a fridge. We are teaching them a basic fact.
We might use the first conditional if somebody has just made a coffee and has forgotten to put the milk back in the fridge again. You are giving a friendly reminder that if they leave the milk out, then it will spoil.