Why can the if-clause not take will?

English marks future meaning in the if-clause with the present tense, and will stays in the main clause, so If it will rain is a classic error.

How do the zero and first conditionals differ?

The zero conditional states a certain result with the present tense in both clauses, while the first conditional looks at a real future possibility and uses will in the main clause.

Primary English: Conditionals Basics (10 Questions)

2026-11-05

Tutor Prep Guide · Primary English

The first paper covers the zero and first conditionals: scientific facts and general results take the present tense in both clauses, while a real future possibility puts will in the main clause and keeps the if-clause in the present. All ten items are single-sentence gap fills with a one-line note.

Quick answer The zero conditional states a certain result with the present tense in both clauses; the first conditional keeps the if-clause present and puts will with the base verb in the main clause; a negative if-clause uses do or does with not; a third person subject adds -s; and will never appears inside the if-clause.

01 Paper details (check answers afterwards)

Item	Detail
Questions	10 questions
Suggested time	about 20 minutes
Difficulty mix	Foundation 10
Chapter	Chapter: Primary English \| Conditionals: the if-clause and its three levels
Level	P6

02 Questions (10 items)

FoundationIf you ______ (heat) ice, it melts.
FoundationIf it ______ (rain) tomorrow, we will stay at home.
FoundationIf you ______ (not / hurry), you will miss the bus.
FoundationIf she ______ (study) hard, she will pass the exam.
FoundationWater boils if you ______ (heat) it to 100 degrees Celsius.
FoundationIf you ______ (mix) red and yellow, you get orange.
FoundationWe will go to the beach if the weather ______ (be) fine.
FoundationIf he ______ (not / come), we will start without him.
FoundationIf you ______ (drop) a glass, it breaks.
FoundationI ______ (call) you if I arrive early.

03 Answers and one-line notes

#	Answer	One-line note
1	heat	The zero conditional states a certain result, so both clauses use the present tense.
2	rains	For a future possibility the if-clause stays in the present tense and never takes will.
3	don’t hurry	A negative if-clause uses do or does with not, while the main clause keeps will.
4	studies	A third person singular subject takes the -s form inside the if-clause.
5	heat	A scientific fact uses the zero conditional with the present tense in both clauses.
6	mix	A general truth takes the zero conditional.
7	is	Even when the main clause comes first, the if-clause stays in the present tense.
8	doesn’t come	With he the negative is doesn’t, and the verb returns to its base form.
9	drop	The zero conditional can describe what always happens.
10	will call	The main clause takes will with the base verb and the if-clause stays present.

04 What to do after marking

After marking, redo only the wrong items and write down which step went wrong (formula, unit, or misread number).
Repeat the same item two days later; move to the next paper only when both attempts are correct.
Parents only need the answer and note columns; there is no need to explain every item.

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