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Zero Conditional

Facts That Never Change (Unlike Your Mood)

The Zero Conditional is for stating facts that are always true. It's about general truths, scientific facts, and things that happen every bloody time without fail.

The Simple Formula (Even You Can't Mess This Up):

If + present simple, present simple

Both parts use present simple. No 'will', no fancy bollocks - just facts.

If Clause (Condition) Main Clause (Result) Example
If you heat water to 100°C it boils If you heat water to 100°C, it boils.
If it rains the ground gets wet If it rains, the ground gets wet.
If you don't eat you get hungry If you don't eat, you get hungry.

When to Use This Boring But Useful Grammar

1. Scientific Facts:

  • "If you mix red and blue, you get purple." (Basic art lesson)
  • "If you drop something, it falls." (Thanks, gravity)
  • "If you freeze water, it becomes ice." (Revolutionary discovery)

2. General Truths:

  • "If you don't sleep, you feel tired." (Shocking revelation)
  • "If you exercise regularly, you get fitter." (Who knew?)
  • "If you study hard, you learn more." (Mind-blowing stuff)

3. Habits and Routines:

  • "If I drink coffee at night, I can't sleep." (Personal experience)
  • "If she gets stressed, she eats chocolate." (Relatable)
  • "If it's sunny, we go to the park." (Weekend routine)

Alternative Ways to Say the Same Thing

You can replace 'if' with 'when' for the same meaning:

With 'If' With 'When' Meaning
If you heat ice, it melts. When you heat ice, it melts. Same fact, different word
If I'm late, my boss gets angry. When I'm late, my boss gets angry. Regular occurrence
If you press this button, the machine starts. When you press this button, the machine starts. Cause and effect

Don't Be a Plonker - Common Mistakes

❌ Wrong:

  • "If you will heat water, it boils." (No 'will' needed, you muppet!)
  • "If you heat water, it will boil." (It's a fact, not a future plan)

✅ Right:

  • "If you heat water, it boils." (Simple present in both parts)
  • "When you heat water, it boils." (Even better)

Practice Exercises (State Some Facts)

Exercise 1: Complete the Zero Conditionals

1. If you (mix) yellow and blue, you (get) green.
2. If it (snow), the temperature (be) below zero.
3. If you (not / water) plants, they (die).
4. If I (eat) too much, I (feel) sick.

Exercise 2: Replace 'If' with 'When'

1. If you press the red button, the alarm sounds.
2. If she gets nervous, she bites her nails.

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Brilliant! You now know how to state facts like a proper know-it-all!