Zero Conditional in English
Zero conditional sentences are used for general truths and facts.
In this lesson, you’ll learn when and how to use zero conditionals and practise using them.
How to use zero conditional sentences?
- Used for truths and facts.
- There are two clauses using ‘if’.
- Zero conditionals are used to talk about cause and effect (if one thing happens – cause, another thing will happen – effect).
- The structure we use is: if = present simple, main clause = present simple.
- To use the negative – use ‘don’t/doesn’t’ before the verb.
Examples
If you heat ice, it melts.
If you don't water the plants, they die.
If she doesn't eat, she is hungry.
Remember: truths and facts
Practise
Fill the gaps with the zero conditional forms of the verbs in brackets.
Common mistakes learners make
- Using ‘will’ in the ‘if’ clause
- Using the wrong tense
- Confusing zero (truths) and first (likely) conditional sentences
Common mistakes learners make
- Using ‘will’ in the ‘if’ clause
- Using the wrong tense
- Confusing zero (truths) and first (likely) conditional sentences