If sentences: zero and first conditional: Spoken English: Zero to Fluent (Intermediate)

A conditional (शर्त वाला वाक्य) has two parts: the "if" part (the condition) and the result part. Hindi: "अगर बारिश हुई, तो मैं नहीं आऊँगा". English: "If it rains, I won't come."

Type	If part	Result part	Example
Zero (always true)	if + present	present	If you mix red and white, you get pink.
First (real future)	if + present	will + verb	If you study, you will pass.

If you heat water to 100 degrees, it boils.

Say it: if yoo HEET WAW-ter to wun HUN-dred di-GREEZ, it BOYLZ

अगर पानी को 100 डिग्री तक गर्म करो, तो वह उबलता है।

If I miss the bus, I'm always late.

Say it: if ai MIS the BUS, aim AWL-wayz LAYT

अगर मेरी बस छूट जाए, तो मैं हमेशा लेट हो जाता हूँ।

Zero conditional for a general truth about your life.

If it rains tomorrow, we'll cancel the picnic.

Say it: if it RAYNZ to-MOR-oh, weel KAN-sel the PIK-nik

अगर कल बारिश हुई, तो हम पिकनिक रद्द कर देंगे।

If you call me, I'll pick you up from the station.

Say it: if yoo KAWL mee, ail PIK yoo UP from the STAY-shun

अगर तुम मुझे फ़ोन करोगे, तो मैं तुम्हें स्टेशन से ले लूँगा।

If you don't hurry, you'll miss the train.

Say it: if yoo DOHNT HUR-ee, yool MIS the TRAYN

अगर तुम जल्दी नहीं करोगे, तो ट्रेन छूट जाएगी।

Unless you practise, you won't improve.

Say it: un-LES yoo PRAK-tis, yoo WOHNT im-PROOV

जब तक अभ्यास नहीं करोगे, सुधार नहीं होगा।

"Unless" = "if not".

I'll call you as soon as I reach.

Say it: ail KAWL yoo az SOON az ai REECH

पहुँचते ही मैं तुम्हें फ़ोन करूँगा।

Same rule after when, as soon as, before, after: present tense, not will.

You can put either part first. If the "if" part comes first, add a comma: "If you come, I'll cook." No comma when it comes second: "I'll cook if you come."

Think of it like this: A first conditional is like a light switch. IF you press the switch (condition), the light WILL come on (result). The switch is now; the light is the future.

Careful: The most common mistake: "If it will rain, I will stay home." Never use "will" in the if part. Say "If it rains, I will stay home."

Careful: Do not use "then" every time: "If you come, then I will come" is fine sometimes, but usually just "If you come, I'll come."

Tip: Make a chain story: "If I get up early, I'll go for a walk. If I go for a walk, I'll feel fresh. If I feel fresh, I'll work better..." Go as long as you can.

If sentences: zero and first conditional

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In real life: A shopkeeper and a customer

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