Zero conditional
Zero conditional is used to describe scientific facts and direct correlations, dive into the world of certainty!
Table of Contents
1.Clauses Recap
1.1The Basics
A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb. It can function as a whole sentence (a main clause) or as part of a sentence ( a subordinate clause).
| Main Clause | Subordinate Clause (needs more information to be a full sentence) |
|---|---|
| also called Independent Clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence |
also called Dependent Clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone; needs to be connected to an independent clause. |
| Examples: | Examples: |
| She will help me. I would go for a walk. We’ll go out. You’ll pass the test. |
If I ask her about it If it weren't that cold If the meeting ends If you study hard |
| There are different types of Subordinate clauses (see Topic Clauses). |
| We normally express a condition using an if - clause with a main clause. |
| Conditional sentences / Conditionals are often categorised as: Zero, First, Second, Third, Mixed and False. |
2.Zero Conditional REAL/ Structure
2.1Standart Forms
The zero conditional expresses general truths, scientific facts, natural laws, and things that always happen under certain conditions. It describes cause-and-effect relationships that are always true.
Remember that in zero conditional sentences, you can often replace if with when or whenever without changing the meaning!
| Rules and Tenses Standard Form |
Examples | Context |
|---|---|---|
| If: Present Simple Main: Present Simple |
If you heat water to 100°C, it boils. | Scientific fact about the boiling point of water. |
| If I eat too much sugar, I get sick. | Personal physical reaction that always occurs. | |
| If: Past Simple Main: Past Simple |
If it rained, the streets flooded. | Regular past occurrence - whenever it rained in that area, flooding always happened |
| If I ate dairy, I got sick. | Past physical reaction that always occurred | |
| If the alarm rang, everyone evacuated the building. | Standard past procedure that was always followed |
Practice Examples
If I (drink) _____ coffee after 6 PM, I (not / can / sleep) _____ .
If she (eat) _____ dairy products, she (get) _____ stomach cramps.
If he (exercise) _____ without warming up, his muscles (cramp) _____ .
2.2Alternative Forms
Remember that in zero conditional sentences (used for general truths, scientific facts, or always-true situations), you can often replace if with when or whenever without changing the meaning!
| Rules and Tenses Alternative |
Examples | Context |
|---|---|---|
| If: Present Progressive (Continuous) Main: Present Simple |
If you are working late, you miss dinner. | Habitual consequence when the ongoing action of working late occurs |
| If: Present Simple Main: Present Progressive (Continuous) |
If it rains, people are running for shelter. | Describes the typical ongoing reaction when rain occurs |
| If: Present Perfect Main: Present Simple |
If you have eaten breakfast, you feel energetic. | General truth about the relationship between eating breakfast and feeling energetic |
| If: Present Simple Main: Imperative |
If you feel tired, take a break. | General advice or instruction |
| If: Past Progressive (Continuous) Main: Past Simple |
If I was working late, I missed dinner. | Habitual past consequence of ongoing late work |
| If: Past Simple Main: Past Progressive (Continuous) |
If the phone rang, she was always running to answer it. | Typical ongoing past reaction to a trigger |
| If: Past Simple Main: used to/would + base verb |
If winter came, we would migrate south. | Past habitual behavior triggered by seasonal change |
| If it snowed, schools used to close immediately. | Past institutional policy that was regularly implemented | |
| If:Past Progressive (Continuous) Main: Past Progressive (Continuous) |
If I was studying, my roommate was always making noise. | Simultaneous ongoing past actions that regularly occurred together |
Practice Examples
If you (study) _____ for exams, you (need) _____ complete silence.
If she (cook) _____ dinner, the smoke alarm (go) _____ off.
If they (argue) _____ about money, it (last) _____ for hours.
3.Use
3.1General truths
The zero conditional expresses general truths - statements that are universally accepted as true.
We use zero conditionals for facts, habits, and inevitable results, not hypothetical situations.
If = When = Whenever (in zero conditionals, they often mean the same thing).
| Examples |
|---|
| If you mix blue and yellow, you get green. |
| If you don’t water plants, they die. |
| If you heat butter, it melts. |
| If you drop an apple, it falls to the ground. |
| If you don’t sleep enough, you feel tired. |
Practice Examples
If you (add) _____ salt to water, it (dissolve) _____ .
If you (tell) _____ the truth, people (trust) _____ you.
If plants (get) _____ sunlight, they (grow) _____ .
3.2Scientific Facts
The zero conditional expresses scientific facts - objective, proven facts in science.
We use zero conditionals for facts, habits, and inevitable results, not hypothetical situations.
If = When = Whenever (in zero conditionals, they often mean the same thing).
| Examples |
|---|
| f you boil water at sea level, it reaches 100°C. |
| If you combine hydrogen and oxygen, you get water (H₂O). |
| If you expose iron to oxygen and moisture, it rusts. |
| If you cool water below 0°C, it freezes. |
| If you mix vinegar and baking soda, they create a reaction. |
Practice Examples
If you (heat) _____ metal, it (expand) _____ .
If light (hit) _____ a prism, it (split) _____ into colors.
If you (combine) _____ hydrogen and oxygen, you (get) _____ water.
3.3Natural Laws
The zero conditional expresses natural laws - unchangeable laws of nature or physics.
We use zero conditionals for facts, habits, and inevitable results, not hypothetical situations.
If = When = Whenever (in zero conditionals, they often mean the same thing).
| Examples |
|---|
| If an object is in motion, it stays in motion unless acted upon. (Newton’s First Law) |
| If you drop something, gravity pulls it downward. |
| If you light a fire, it produces heat and light. |
| If you push an object, it moves (unless friction stops it). |
| If you increase temperature, gas expands. |
Practice Examples
If energy (transfer) _____ , it never (disappear) _____ .
If masses (attract) _____ , gravity (exist) _____ .
If you (drop) _____ something, it (fall) _____ down.
3.4Things That Always Happen Under Certain Conditions
The zero conditional expresses things that always happen under certain conditions - results that are 100% predictable.
We use zero conditionals for facts, habits, and inevitable results, not hypothetical situations.
If = When = Whenever (in zero conditionals, they often mean the same thing).
| Examples |
|---|
| If you press this button, the machine turns on. |
| If you eat too much sugar, your blood sugar rises. |
| If you don’t charge your phone, the battery dies. |
| If you leave milk outside, it spoils. |
| If you flip the switch, the light turns on. |
Practice Examples
If you (turn) _____ the key, the car (start) _____ .
If you (flip) _____ the switch, the light (come) _____ on.
If you (insert) _____ your card, the ATM (activate) _____ .
3.5Cause-and-Effect Relationships / Always True
The zero conditional expresses Cause-and-Effect relationships (always true) - one action inevitably leads to another.
We use zero conditionals for facts, habits, and inevitable results, not hypothetical situations.
If = When = Whenever (in zero conditionals, they often mean the same thing).
| Examples |
|---|
| If you study hard, you learn more. |
| If you exercise regularly, your body gets stronger. |
| If you touch fire, you get burned. |
| If you add salt to food, it becomes saltier. |
| If you don’t wear sunscreen, you get sunburned. |
Practice Examples
If you (not / water) _____ plants, they (die) _____ .
If you (eat) _____ too much, you (gain) _____ weight.
If you (practice) _____ daily, you (improve) _____ .
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