CONDITIONALS – The Zero Conditional

Every Conditional has two clauses: The conditional (if) clause, and the result clause.

We make a zero conditional sentence using two simple present verbs: one in the ‘conditional clause’ and one in the ‘result clause’.

If + present simple, present simple.

Present simple if present simple.

This conditional is used when the result always happens. So,if it rains, the grass gets wet. It’s a fact. This is in general, not one particular situation.

The ‘if’ in this conditional can usually be replaced by ‘when’ without changing the meaning.
So, When it rains, the grass gets wet. Still true, right?

For example:
If it rains, the grass gets wet. It is always true!.
If I eat peanuts, I am sick.

Here are some more examples:

• Plants die if they don’t get enough water.
• If people eat too much, they get fat.
• If you heat ice, it melts.
• If you touch a fire, you get burned.
• If you freeze water, it becomes a solid.
• People die if they don’t eat.
• If my wife has a cold, I usually catch it.
• You get water if you mix hydrogen and oxygen.
• Snakes bite if they are scared.
• If you mix red and blue, you get purple.
• If babies are hungry, they cry.