Zero Conditional

Structure

If + present simple, present simple

When to Use

Scientific Facts

• If you heat ice, it melts.
• If you mix red and blue, you get purple.
• If plants don’t get water, they die.

General Truths

• If you eat too much, you gain weight.
• If you don’t sleep enough, you feel tired.
• If you exercise regularly, you stay healthy.

Instructions and Rules

• If the alarm goes off, leave the building.
• If the light is red, stop.
• If you see something suspicious, report it.

Habits and Routines

• If I wake up early, I go for a run.
• If she’s stressed, she eats chocolate.
• If the weather is nice, we eat outside.

If vs. When

In zero conditional, “if” and “when” are often interchangeable:

• If/When you press this button, the door opens.
• If/When I’m tired, I drink coffee.
• If/When it’s cold, we turn on the heating.

Word Order

You can switch the order of clauses:

• If it rains, the streets get wet.
• The streets get wet if it rains.

Note: Use a comma when the if-clause comes first.

Practice Examples

“If you don’t water plants, they die. If they get enough sunlight, they grow faster.”

Both sentences express general truths that are always true.

Quiz