Zero conditional

Question

When you take up this offer we will extend you a warm welcome.

I know that 'when' can replace 'if' in a zero conditional but can it be used in first conditional? Is the sentence above a second conditional?

Can someone explain me what is going on with the 'when'?

Many thanks

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

DjxCan someone explain me what is going on with the 'when'?

When just specifies a time condition; "if" specifies a yes-no condition.

When you take up this offer we will extend you a warm welcome.
eg. At 6 pm you take up the offer, and we extend you a warm welcome.

CalifJim · Answer

DjxI know that 'when' can replace 'if' in a zero conditional but can it be used in first conditional?

Personally, I don't regard "when" as capable of forming a conditional of any kind, even though the sequence of tenses may be the same or similar.

DjxIs the sentence above a second conditional?

So no, I don't consider it a second conditional. In fact, even if you changed "when" to "if" you would still not have a second conditional. You would have a first conditional.

DjxCan someone explain me what is going on with the 'when'?

"when" introduces a subordinate clause of time. At the time that you take up this offer (presumably in the future), we will extend you a warm welcome. The main clause about welcoming you is more or less a promise of what will be done at a certain time.

CJ

Djx · Answer

Thank you teachers

Anonymous · Answer

DjxCan someone explain me

Can someone explain to me

CalifJim · Answer

Anonymous Djx Can someone explain me Can someone explain to me

Or just "Can someone explain".

CJ

Zero conditional

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