What is Conditional Type 0?
The Zero Conditional (or Conditional Type 0) is used to talk about facts, rules, or things that are always true. It describes what happens when something else happens, and the result is always the same.
Structure
If + Present Simple, Present Simple
Example Sentences
| Condition (If…) | Result (Then…) |
|---|---|
| If you heat water, | it boils. (This is always true.) |
| If it rains, | the grass gets wet. (This is a fact.) |
| If you touch fire, | it hurts. (This always happens.) |
| If I don’t eat, | I get hungry. (Always true for everyone.) |
| If students study, | they learn. (A general truth.) |
Important Notes
1. Both parts use the Present Simple tense.
❌ Not: If you will heat water, it boils.
✅ Correct: If you heat water, it boils
2. You can change the order:
If you heat water, it boils. (Use a comma if “if” comes first.)
Water boils if you heat it.
When Do We Use the Zero Conditional?
| Situation | Example |
|---|---|
| Scientific facts | If you mix red and blue, you get purple. |
| Rules | If you park here, you pay a fine. |
| Daily routines | If I go to bed late, I feel tired. |
| General truths | If babies are hungry, they cry. |
Practice Time
If you __ (heat) ice, it __ (melt).
If people __ (not drink) water, they __ (die).
If my dog __ (see) a cat, it __ (bark).
If it __ (rain), the ground __ (get) wet.
If students __ (study), they __ (pass) exams.
Summary
| Part | Example | Tense |
|---|---|---|
| If-clause | If you heat water | Present Simple |
| Main clause | it boils | Present Simple |
| Meaning | General truth, fact, or rule | Always true |
3 Comments
1- If you heat ice, it melts.
2- If people don’t drink water, they die .
3- If my dog sees a cat, it barks.
4- If it rains, the ground gets wet.
5- If students study, they pass exams.
1/ If you heat ice, it melts.
2/ If people don’t drink water, they die.
3/ If my dog sees a cat, it barks.
4/ If it rains, the ground gets wet.
5/ If students study, they pass exam.
1) If you heat ice, it melts.
2) If people don’t drink water, they die .
3) If my dog sees a cat, it barks.
4) If it rains, the ground gets wet.
5) If students study, they pass exams.