Zero Conditional
In zero conditional sentences, the tense in both parts of the sentence is the simple
present. This conditional is used when the result will always happen. So, if water
reaches 100 degrees, it always boils. It's a fact. I'm talking in general, not about one
particular situation. The result of the 'if clause' is always the main clause.
The 'if' in this conditional can usually be replaced by 'when' without changing the
meaning.
For example: If water reaches 100 degrees, it boils. (It is always true, there can't be a
different result sometimes). If I eat peanuts, I am sick. (This is true only for me, maybe,
not for everyone, but it's still true that I'm sick every time I eat peanuts)
IF CLAUSE (CONDITION) MAIN CLAUSE (RESULT)
If + simple present simple present
If this thing happens that thing happens.
As in all conditional sentences, the order of the clauses is not fixed. You may have to
rearrange the pronouns and adjust punctuation when you change the order of the
clauses, but the meaning is identical. In zero conditional sentences, you can replace "if"
with "when", because both express general truths. The meaning will be unchanged.
EXAMPLES
If you heat ice, it melts.
Ice melts if you heat it.
When you heat ice, it melts.
Ice melts when you heat it.
If it rains, the grass gets wet.
The grass gets wet if it rains.
When it rains, the grass gets wet.
The grass gets wet when it rains.
FUNCTION
The zero conditional is used to make statements about the real world, and often refers
to general truths, such as scientific facts. In these sentences, the time is now or
always and the situation is real and possible.
EXAMPLES
If you freeze water, it becomes a solid.
Plants (die) die if they (not/get) don’t get enough water.
If my husband has a cold, I usually catch it.
If public transport is efficient, people stop using their cars.
If you mix red and blue, you get purple.
The zero conditional is also often used to give instructions, using the imperative in the
main clause.
EXAMPLES
If Bill phones, tell him to meet me at the cinema.
Ask Pete if you're not sure what to do.
If you want to come, call me before 5:00.
Meet me here if we get separated.
Exercises
Complete the gaps to make zero conditional sentences.
1. If there is a storm, my cat (run) runs under the sofa.
2. The printer always (break) breaks if I need to print something quickly.
3. I get stressed if my mother-in-law (visit) visits for longer than a day.
4. If the waiters (be) are unfriendly, customers don’t leave a tip.
5. The students don’t care if the lesson (be) is boring.
Complete the gaps to make negative zero conditional sentences.
1. If I cook, I (not/do) don’t do the dishes.
2. Helen (not/use) doesn’t use too much chili powder if she’s cooking for other people.
3. If the kids behave badly, we (not/give) don’t give them dessert.
4. I drink warm milk if I (not/can) can’t sleep.
5. After work, Kelly often does housework if she (not/be) is not too tired.
Complete both gaps to make zero conditional sentences.
1. The cleaner (not/get) doesn’t get paid if she (cancel) cancels the appointment.
2. My grandma (get) gets so sad if we (not/call) don’t call her on Sunday morning.
3. We (not/play) don’t play tennis if the weather (be) is bad.
4. I (not/delete) don’t delete documents if they (be) are important.
5. We (go) go to the park if school (finish) finishes early.
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