🎯 Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

📚 Grammar Explanation

We use conditionals to talk about the result of a certain condition. The 'if' clause is the condition, and the main clause is the result.

Zero Conditional

Form: If + Present Simple, ... Present Simple

Use: To talk about facts, general truths, or company rules. The result is always the same.

Time words: often, always, usually, every time. You can also use 'when' instead of 'if'.

Example: If you heat water to 100 degrees, it boils. (This is always true)
First Conditional

Form: If + Present Simple, ... will + base verb

Use: To talk about a real and possible situation in the future and its result.

Time words: tomorrow, next week, later, soon.

Example: If it rains tomorrow, I will take an umbrella. (This is a possible future situation)
🔑 Key Learning Tip: Remember the difference:
Zero Conditional = Always True (100% Fact/Rule)
First Conditional = Future Possible (Real Chance)

💼 Professional Contexts

🏢 Context Card 1: Conditionals in Professional Situations
Company Policy: "If you are sick, you inform your line manager before 9 a.m." (Zero Conditional)
Negotiating: "If you give us a 10% discount, we will sign the contract today." (First Conditional)
Project Management: "If a task is late, it affects the whole project timeline." (Zero Conditional)
Scheduling Meetings: "If the conference room is free tomorrow morning, I will book it for our team." (First Conditional)
🤝 Context Card 2: Conditionals in Daily Business
Email Communication: "If I receive the invoice today, I will process the payment tomorrow." (First Conditional)
Teamwork: "If we don't help each other, we won't meet our team goals." (First Conditional)
Technical Support: "If the internet doesn't work, you restart your computer." (Zero Conditional)
Planning Travel: "If I book my flight early, it is usually cheaper." (Zero Conditional)

📝 Examples & Analysis

✅ Correct Usage

If the client agrees, we will prepare the contract.
A possible future action and its result.
The project will be delayed if we don't receive the materials.
The result comes first, then the 'if' condition. No comma is needed.
When a new employee starts, they receive a welcome pack.
A company rule or standard procedure. Zero Conditional.
You get access to the building if you have a security pass.
A general truth or rule. Zero Conditional.

❌ Common Mistakes

Using 'will' in the 'if' clause:
❌ If I will finish my work early, I will leave.
✅ If I finish my work early, I will leave.
The 'if' clause uses the Present Simple to talk about the future condition.
Using the wrong conditional for a rule:
❌ If you work more than 40 hours a week, you will get overtime pay.
✅ If you work more than 40 hours a week, you get overtime pay.
This is a company rule (always true), so use the Zero Conditional.
Forgetting the 's' for third person singular:
❌ If the marketing team launch the campaign, sales will increase.
✅ If the marketing team launches the campaign, sales will increase.
'The marketing team' is third-person singular (it), so the verb needs '-s'.

🎧 Listening Exercise

0:00 / 1:55

Listening Questions

1. Why does David say, "if the marketing is good, sales are always strong"?
2. What is the main potential problem they discuss?
3. Complete the sentence from the audio: "If the website page isn't ready, we ______ to delay the social media campaign."

🧠 Interactive Quiz

Choose the correct answer for each question about Zero and First Conditionals.
1. If we _____ this project on time, our client will be very happy.
2. At our company, if you _____ a day off, you need to tell your manager one week before.
3. If the supplier is late with the delivery, we _____ our production deadline.

📝 Exercise A: Choose the Correct Form

Read the sentences and choose the correct verb form.
1. If you ( press / will press ) the red button, the machine stops.
2. I will call you if I ( finish / will finish ) the report early.
3. If the client ( doesn't answer / won't answer ) the phone, I will send an email.
4. Our manager is happy if our team ( meet / meets ) its sales targets.
5. If we don't leave now, we ( miss / will miss ) our train.

🔗 Exercise B: Matching Exercise

Match the first part of the sentence (the condition) with the second part (the result). Click on items to select them.

Condition (If-clause)

1. If we increase the price,
2. If you book a meeting room online,
3. If my computer crashes,
4. If John's flight is delayed,

Result (Main clause)

A. you get an automatic confirmation.
B. we will lose some customers.
C. he will be late for the presentation.
D. I will call the IT department.
Selected Matches:
Click items to create matches...

💬 Exercise C: Complete the Dialogue

Complete the business dialogue. Use the verbs in parentheses to form the correct Zero or First Conditional.
Anna: Hi Mark. What will you do if the client (1. not accept) ______ our offer?
Mark: Well, if they (2. say) ______ 'no', we (3. offer) ______ them a small discount. That is our plan B.
Anna: Good idea. And what about the project deadline? If we (4. start) ______ next week, will we finish on time?
Mark: Yes. If a project (5. have) ______ good planning, it usually (6. stay) ______ on schedule. Don't worry.

🗣️ Speaking Practice - Preparation for Class

⚠️ Preparation for Class Only
These tasks are for practice with your teacher. Prepare this topic for your next class.
Task 1: Complete the Sentences (Controlled Practice)
1 minute

Instructions: You will see the beginning of a sentence. Complete it with your own idea using the First Conditional. Say the full sentence aloud.

Prompts:

  • If I finish my work early today, I will...
  • If my manager gives me a new project, I will...
  • If I have an important meeting tomorrow, I will...

Example Response: "If I finish my work early today, I will prepare for tomorrow's presentation."

📝 Prepare this topic for your next class

Task 2: Discussing a Business Trip (Guided Practice)
1 minute

Instructions: Imagine you are planning a business trip to another city. Your teacher will ask you questions about possible problems. Use the First Conditional to explain what you will do.

Preparation Tips: Think about flights, hotels, and meetings. Key vocabulary: book, cancel, delay, miss, re-schedule.

Example Questions from Teacher:

  • "What will you do if your flight is cancelled?"
  • "If you miss your connecting flight, what will you do?"
  • "What will you do if the client wants to re-schedule the meeting?"

Example Response: "If my flight is cancelled, I will call the airline to book a new one. If I can't get a new flight, I will call the client to re-schedule our meeting."

📝 Prepare this topic for your next class

Task 3: Project Risk Planning (Free Practice)
2 minutes

Instructions: You are a team leader in a meeting with your manager (your teacher). Discuss the risks for your new project. Use First and Zero conditionals to talk about problems and their results.

Your Goal: Identify 2-3 possible problems and explain what you will do.

Discussion Points: Think about the budget, deadlines, and team members.

Example Language: "If we go over budget...", "If a team member is sick...", "If the client changes their mind..."

📝 Prepare this topic for your next class

👨‍🏫Ready for Class - Teacher Notes

Lesson Summary

This lesson introduces students to Zero and First Conditionals in business contexts. Students learn to distinguish between facts/rules (Zero) and future possibilities (First), focusing on correct structure and appropriate usage in professional situations.

Key Challenges for Students

  • Using 'will' in if-clauses: Students often say "If I will..." instead of "If I..."
  • Choosing the right conditional: Distinguishing between rules (Zero) and possibilities (First)
  • Third person singular: Forgetting the 's' in Zero Conditional (If he works... he gets...)
  • Comma usage: When to use commas in conditional sentences

Speaking Practice Guidance

Task 1: Listen for correct "will + verb" structure. Help students avoid "if I will...". Encourage business-related completions.

Task 2: Ask follow-up questions to encourage longer responses. Focus on realistic business travel scenarios.

Task 3: Play an engaged manager asking clarifying questions. Help students distinguish between rules and possibilities.

Common Student Errors to Watch For

  • "If I will send the email..." (should be "If I send...")
  • "If the team finish early, they will..." (should be "finishes")
  • "If you work hard you get promoted" (missing comma after condition)
  • Using First Conditional for company rules instead of Zero

Extension Activities

  • Have students create company policy statements using Zero Conditional
  • Practice negotiation scenarios using First Conditional
  • Discuss project planning with potential risks and solutions
  • Role-play business situations requiring both conditional types