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Zero Conditional

Express general truths, scientific facts, and habits that are always true

What is Zero Conditional?

The zero conditional expresses general truths, scientific facts, and things that are always true. The result always happens if the condition is met. Both clauses use the present simple tense.

Formula: If + present simple, present simple (or present simple + if + present simple)

Compare: "If it rains, the grass gets wet" (always true - zero conditional) vs. "If it rains tomorrow, I will stay home" (specific future - first conditional).

When to Use

1. Scientific Facts and Natural Laws

Express facts that are always true in nature and science.

Examples

  • If you heat water to 100°C, it boils. (scientific fact)
  • If you freeze water, it becomes ice.
  • If you drop something, it falls to the ground.
  • If you mix blue and yellow, you get green.
  • If plants don't get water, they die.
  • If you touch fire, you get burned.

2. General Truths and Universal Statements

Express things that are generally true in life.

Examples

  • If you study hard, you get good results. (generally true)
  • If you don't eat, you get hungry.
  • If people eat too much, they gain weight.
  • If you exercise regularly, you feel better.
  • If you work hard, you succeed.
  • If you lie, people don't trust you.

3. Habits and Routines

Talk about personal habits and regular routines.

Examples

  • If I wake up late, I miss the bus. (my routine)
  • If she drinks coffee at night, she can't sleep.
  • If he forgets his keys, he calls me.
  • If we have free time, we go to the park.
  • If they finish work early, they play football.

4. Instructions and Directions

Give instructions about how things work or what to do.

Examples

  • If you press this button, the machine starts.
  • If you turn left, you see the museum.
  • If you need help, you press the red button.
  • If the light turns red, you stop.
  • If you open this door, the alarm goes off.

5. Cause and Effect Relationships

Show clear cause and effect connections.

Examples

  • If you don't sleep enough, you feel tired.
  • If people smoke, they damage their health.
  • If you practice every day, you improve.
  • If you save money, you have more later.

Formation

If-clause first

If + subject + present simple, subject + present simple
  • If you heat ice, it melts.
  • If I eat too much, I feel sick.
  • If she studies hard, she passes her exams.
  • If it rains, the ground gets wet.

Main clause first

Subject + present simple + if + subject + present simple
  • Water boils if you heat it to 100°C.
  • I feel sick if I eat too much.
  • She passes her exams if she studies hard.
  • The ground gets wet if it rains.

You can use "when" instead of "if" (same meaning)

  • When you heat water to 100°C, it boils.
  • I feel sick when I eat too much.
  • When it rains, the ground gets wet.

Common Mistakes

Common Mistakes

  • ❌ If you will heat water, it boils. → ✅ If you heat water, it boils. (no "will" in zero conditional)
  • ❌ If you heat water, it will boil. → ✅ If you heat water, it boils. (present simple in both clauses)
  • ❌ If I eat too much, I will feel sick. → ✅ If I eat too much, I feel sick. (general truth, not future)
  • ❌ If you heated water, it boils. → ✅ If you heat water, it boils. (present simple, not past)
  • ❌ If you press this button the machine starts. → ✅ If you press this button, the machine starts. (need comma)
  • ❌ If you heat water, it is boiling. → ✅ If you heat water, it boils. (simple, not continuous)

Practice Tips

Practice Tips

  • 🔬 Always true: Use zero conditional only for things that are ALWAYS true, not for specific future situations.
  • 📝 Both present simple: Both clauses use present simple tense. No "will," no past tense.
  • 🔄 If = When: You can replace "if" with "when" in zero conditional - they mean the same thing for general truths.
  • 💡 Comma rule: Use a comma after the if-clause when it comes first. No comma when the main clause comes first.
  • 🎯 Practice with facts: Think of scientific facts, natural laws, or your own habits to practice zero conditional.

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