puzzled

[MikeNewYork]

Re:

• If you touch a hot stove you will get burned.

Zero conditional?

No, that's a first conditional. It has the future tense in the result clause. Zero conditionals that deal with known facts can also be stated as first conditionals.

If you touch a hot stove, you get burned.
If you touch a hot stove, you will get burned.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Re:

• After tobacco is lit it burns.

Zero conditional?

Hmmm. Leave it to you to ask a question I can't answer. I am used to zero conditionals beginning with "if" or "when". My instinct is to say no to an "after" sentence, but I can't find a good reason. It is not much different from "when". :?

• When tobacco is lit, it burns.

It means the same thing, eh?

Yes it does. Hence, my stammering. :?

 

[RonBee]

Re:

• If you touch a hot stove you will get burned.

Zero conditional?

No, that's a first conditional. It has the future tense in the result clause. Zero conditionals that deal with known facts can also be stated as first conditionals.

If you touch a hot stove, you get burned.
If you touch a hot stove, you will get burned.

Ah, that's interesting. The two statements mean the same thing, but the way it is expressed makes it either a zero conditional or a first conditional.

Hopefully, I will remember what I have learned so far.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Ah, that's interesting. The two statements mean the same thing, but the way it is expressed makes it either a zero conditional or a first conditional.

Hopefully, I will remember what I have learned so far.

Of course you will! 8)

 

[RonBee]

First conditional:

• If you touch a hot stove you will get burned.

How about:

• If you study hard you can get good grades.

First conditional? Or should it be:

• If you study hard you will get good grades.

Definitely a first conditional, right?

 

[MikeNewYork]

First conditional:

• If you touch a hot stove you will get burned.

How about:

• If you study hard you can get good grades.

First conditional? Or should it be:

• If you study hard you will get good grades.

Definitely a first conditional, right?

The second is definitely a first conditional. I think the first would qualify also, but I'm not sure of the definition as it applies to other modals. :wink:

 

[RonBee]

How about:

• If I choose to work, I will work.

A first conditional, right?

 

[MikeNewYork]

How about:

• If I choose to work, I will work.

A first conditional, right?

Yes, indeed.