What Is the Zero Conditional?
A condition and its result.
The result will always occur with that action.
The zero conditional is also called the factual conditional.
What Do I Use the Zero Conditional for?
Real and probable conditions.
- To say scientific facts.
- To speak truths.
- General truths.
- Personal truths.
- Habits.
- To give instructions.
- To give advice.
- To give suggestions.
How Do I Say the Zero Conditional?
You say the zero conditional by using two clauses.
One clause is the condition clause. It uses if and the present tense to make the condition.
- If + present tense
- If I walk
- If I don't walk
The other clause is the result clause. It uses either the present simple or the imperative.
- Subject + present simple
- I move.
- I don't move.
- Imperative
- Move!
- Don't move!
The condition or the result can go at the beginning of the sentence or the end.
- Condition clause + , + result clause.
- If I walk, I move.
- If I walk, move!
- If I don't walk, I don't move.
- If I don't walk, don't move!
- Result clause + condition clause.
- I move if I walk.
- Move if I walk!
- I don't move if I don't walk.
- Don't move if I don't walk!
Do I Have to Use If?
- Use if for a possible action.
- If I wash, I am clean.
- Use when for an expected action.
- When I wash, I am clean.
- Use unless for a negative if.
- Unless I wash, I am not clean.
- Use as long as to replace if.
- As long as I wash, I am clean.
- Use as soon as to replace if.
- As soon as I wash, I am clean.
Can I See Examples of the Zero Conditional?
Use the Zero Conditional to Talk About Scientific Facts.
- If water is frozen, it is solid.
- When you mix red and blue, it makes purple.
- Water isn't boiling unless it's at 100°C.
Use the Zero Conditional to State Truths.
General Truths.
- If you brush your teeth, they are clean.
- As long as you eat, you aren't hungry.
- When you look, you see.
Personal Truths
- If I eat nuts, I am ill.
- As soon as I lay down, I feel sleepy.
- If my dad doesn't call, I call him.
Habits
- As soon as he arrives, he has coffee.
- When it's lunchtime, we eat.
- If we go to bed, we sleep.
Use the Zero Condtional to Give Instructions.
- As soon as Bill arrives, call me!
- Tell me if you are coming.
- When everyone is ready, go!
Use the Zero Conditional to Give Advice.
- As soon as you arrive, find the hotel.
- If you are going into the city, use public transport.
- Don't go unless you have a ticket.
Use the Zero Conditional to Make a Suggestion.
- If you have time, change it.
- Turn it off as soon as it stops.
- Help her when you can.