The Zero Conditional


Conditionals in English are sentence structures that we use to talk about results, causes, possibilities or hypothetical situations. They usually have two parts:

  • Condition (if-clause) → the situation
  • Result (main clause) → what happens because of that situation



How do we use and make the Zero Conditional in English?

Use: things that are always true (general truths, scientific facts, habits)

Structure: If + present simple, present simple

For example:

  • If I eat too much sugar, I feel sick.
  • If it rains, the ground gets wet.
  • If you heat ice, it melts.
  • If you don’t water plants, they die.
  • If I wake up late, I don’t go for a run.
  • If she is stressed, she listens to music.

You can put the main clause first if you want. We often do this if we want to emphasise the result. When we do this, we do not usually use a comma.

For example:

  • I feel sick if I eat too much sugar.
  • The ground gets wet if it rains.


When

Sometimes we can replace “if” with “when” and the meaning stays the same.

For example:

  • When I eat too much sugar, I feel sick.
  • The ground gets wet when it rains.


Unless

We can also use “unless” instead of “if”, but the meaning is different. “Unless” basically means “if not”.

For example:

  • Unless you water plants, they die. ( = If you don’t water plants, they die.)
  • I go for a run unless I wake up late. ( = I go for a run if I don’t wake up late.)


Questions

We can use the zero conditional in questions as well.

For example:

  • Do you feel sick if you eat too much sugar?
  • If you eat too much sugar, do you feel sick?
  • Does the ground get wet when it rains?


Comparisons

The zero conditional and first conditional are similar, but not exactly the same. We use the zero conditional if something always happens or usually happens. We use the first conditional if something will likely happen on this specific occasion.

Compare:

Zero ConditionalIf I’m late, my boss gets angry.always or usually true
First ConditionalIf I’m late, my boss will get angry.real possibility this time 

❗Often people use the first conditional instead of the zero conditional, even if technically the zero conditional is more correct.

For example:

  • If you heat ice, it will melt.


Spanish and Portuguese Translations

En: If Frank studies, he passes his exams.

Sp: Si Frank estudia, aprueba sus exámenes.

Pt: Se Frank estuda, ele passa nos exames.

The First Conditional →

Kahoot Quiz – The Zero Conditional

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Conditionals Exercises