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Zero Conditional: If Clause (Condition) Main Clause (Result) If + Simple Present Simple Present

The zero conditional is used to describe general truths and real-world situations. It uses the simple present tense in both the if-clause and main clause. Some examples of zero conditional sentences are: "If you heat ice, it melts"; "Ice melts if you heat it"; and "The zero conditional is also often used to give instructions using the imperative in the main clause, such as "If Bill phones, tell him to meet me at the cinema"."

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354 views2 pages

Zero Conditional: If Clause (Condition) Main Clause (Result) If + Simple Present Simple Present

The zero conditional is used to describe general truths and real-world situations. It uses the simple present tense in both the if-clause and main clause. Some examples of zero conditional sentences are: "If you heat ice, it melts"; "Ice melts if you heat it"; and "The zero conditional is also often used to give instructions using the imperative in the main clause, such as "If Bill phones, tell him to meet me at the cinema"."

Uploaded by

ileana stoica
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Zero Conditional

Form

In zero conditional sentences, the tense in both parts of the sentence is the simple present.

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 if they 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.

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