Zero Conditional

Grammar

If you’re learning English, you might have heard the term “zero conditional”. It sounds complicated, but it’s actually a really  simple and useful grammatical structure. Here, we’ll explain what the zero conditional is, when and how to use it, and give you some examples to help you understand it better.

zero conditional

 

What is the Zero Conditional?

The zero conditional is a type of conditional sentence that expresses a simple cause-and-effect relationship. It is used to describe situations that are always true or predictable. The zero conditional is used to talk about facts, scientific laws, and things that happen as a natural consequence.

What is the Zero Conditional Formula?

The zero conditional formula is not complicated. There are two parts or clauses: the condition clause (if) and the result clause. In the zero conditional, we use the present simple tense in both the condition and the result clause.

Here’s the formula:

  • If + present simple + present simple 

Let’s take a look at some examples to help you understand how it works.

Examples of Zero Conditional Sentences

  • If  you heat water to 100°C, it boils.
  • If  you eat too much food, 100°C, you get a stomachache.
  • If  it rains, the ground gets wet.
  • You get cavities if you don’t brush your teeth regulary.

In these examples, the condition is always true, and the result is always predictable. The zero conditional is used to describe cause-and-effect relationships that are simple and factual.

When to Use the Zero Conditional

The zero conditional is used to talk about things that are always true, natural laws, scientific facts, and habits.

Here are some situations where you might use the zero conditional:

Scientific facts

Rules or natural laws that always have the same result.

  • If we mix blue and yellow, we get green.
  • If you drop a ball, it falls to the ground.
  • If you leave ice outside, it melts.

General truths

Things that are normally true or usually true for you.

  • If I wake up late, I miss my bus.
  • If people exercise often, they are healthy.
  • If you don’t have coffee in the morning, you are sleepy.

Instructions

like/love/enjoy/hate/dislike/prefer/mind/feel like

  • If you don’t water the plants, they die.
  • If you wash your hands, you don’t spread germs.
  • If you heat the pan too much, the food sticks to the bottom.