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Conditional Zero

The document explains the zero conditional, which is used to talk about general truths or things that always happen under certain conditions. It discusses the structure of zero conditional sentences, which consist of an "if" clause and a main clause both in the simple present tense. Examples are provided such as "If you heat water to 100 degrees, it boils" and "If it rains, the grass gets wet." The zero conditional is used to describe scientific facts or things that are generally true, regardless of specific circumstances.

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115 views6 pages

Conditional Zero

The document explains the zero conditional, which is used to talk about general truths or things that always happen under certain conditions. It discusses the structure of zero conditional sentences, which consist of an "if" clause and a main clause both in the simple present tense. Examples are provided such as "If you heat water to 100 degrees, it boils" and "If it rains, the grass gets wet." The zero conditional is used to describe scientific facts or things that are generally true, regardless of specific circumstances.

Uploaded by

ReennyyFernandez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Zero Conditional

Introduction
The zero conditional is a structure used for talking about general truths — things which always happen
under certain conditions. This page will explain how the zero conditional is formed, and when to use it.

1. The structure of a zero conditional sentence


A zero conditional sentence consists of two clauses, an “if” clause and a main clause (In most zero
conditional sentences you can use when or if and the meaning will stay the same.):

“if” clause main clause


If you heat water to 100 degrees, it boils.
If the “if” clause comes first, a comma is usually used. If the “if” clause comes second, there is no need for
a comma:

main clause “if” clause


Water boils if you heat it to 100 degrees,
We use the same verb form in each part of a zero conditional: the simple present tense:

“if” clause if + subject + simple present verb


main clause subject + simple present verb
2. Using the zero conditional
The zero conditional is used to talk about things which are always true — such as scientific facts and
general truths:

Example Explanation
If you cross an international date line, the time changes. This always happens — every time you cross a
date line.
If it rains, the grass gets wet. This is basically always true — the rain makes the grass wet.
Wood doesn't burn if there is no air. This is a scientific fact — wood needs air in order to burn. No air = no
fire.
When you are sure that you understand the lesson, you can continue with the exercises.

Zero Conditional Exercise


Make a zero conditional sentence using the words.
For example: "water / boil / heat / to 100 degrees" becomes "Water boils if you heat it to 100 degrees."
For each question, type your answers in the box, and then click on "Check".
SHOW ONE AT A TIME

my daughter / eat / too much chocolate / she /get / sick

ice / float / you / drop / it / in water

if / no / rain / the grass / not / grow

iron / rust / it / get / wet

you / not / eat / you / die


Zero Conditional Form
Make the zero conditional
1) If I (wake up) late, I (be) late for work.
[ . ][ . ]
CHECK
SHOW
2) If my husband
(cook) , he
(burn) the food.
[ . ][ . ]
CHECK
SHOW
3) If Julie
(not/wear) a hat, she
(get) sunstroke.
[ . ][ . ]
CHECK
SHOW
4) If children
(not/eat) well, they
(not/be) healthy.
[ . ][ . ]
CHECK
SHOW
5) If you
(mix) water and electricity, you
(get) a shock.
[ . ][ . ]
CHECK
SHOW
6) If people
(eat) too many sweets, they
(get) fat.
[ . ][ . ]
CHECK
SHOW
7) If you
(smoke) , you
(get) yellow fingers.
[ . ][ . ]
CHECK
SHOW
8) If children
(play) outside, they
(not/get) overweight.
[ . ][ . ]
CHECK
SHOW
9) If you
(heat) ice, it
(melt).
[ . ][ . ]
CHECK
SHOW
10) If I
(speak) to John, he
(get) annoyed.
[ . ][ . ]
CHECK
SHOW
11) I
(feel) good the next day if I
(go) to bed early.
[ . ][ . ]
CHECK
SHOW
12) Lots of people
(come) if Jenny
(have) a party.
[ . ][ . ]
CHECK
SHOW
13) She
(buy) expensive clothes if she
(go) shopping.
[ . ][ . ]
CHECK
SHOW
14) My daughter
(pass) her exams if she
(work) hard.
[ . ][ . ]
CHECK
SHOW
15) David
(be) sick if he
(drink) milk.
[ . ][ . ]
CHECK
SHOW
16) The river
(freeze) if it
(be) very cold.
[ . ][ . ]
CHECK
SHOW
17) I
(like) to visit the museums if I
(be) in a new city.
[ . ][ . ]
CHECK
SHOW
18) I
(cycle) to work if the weather
(be) fine.
[ . ][ . ]
CHECK
SHOW
19) My flatmate
(clean) really well if she
(clean) the house.
[ . ][ . ]
CHECK
SHOW
20) Everybody
(be) grumpy if it
(rain) a lot.
[ . ][ . ]
CHECK
SHOW
Go to the main conditional exercises page

If you
(to mix) red and green, you
(to get) brown.
If you
(to drop) a glass on the floor(to drop), it
(to break).
If babies
(to be) hungry, they
(to cry).
When you
(to add) sugar, the sauce
(to taste) sweet.
Water
(to boil) if you
(to heat) it to 100 °C.
Plants
(to die) if they
(not/to get) enough water.
If you
(to put) water in the freezer, it
(to become) ice.
When the sun
(to rise), the street lights
(to go out).
When you
(to heat) ice, it
(to melt).
He always
(to take) his umbrella when it
(to rain).

He wears glasses when he reads.


She sleeps in when she goes to bed late.
People pay more taxes when they earn more money.
Birds fly south when it’s winter.
Dogs bark when they are hungry.
People get scared when it is dark outside.
Zero Conditional Example Sentences
Download PDF
Download and print these 30 zero conditional example sentences.

Download
Zero Conditional Questions
Once you / your students have learned how to form zero conditional sentences, forming zero conditional
questions is quite easy. These questions invite a zero conditional-response which expresses a general truth.
You can form zero conditional questions by adding the auxiliary verb “do” or “does” (e.g. “Do apples grow
on the tree in winter?“), or by using other questions words such as “what” or “who” (“What happens if
you’re late for class?“).

Here are 30 zero conditional questions you can ask to practice speaking using the zero conditional form:

If you have to work, what time do you wake up?


If you have free time, what do you like to do?
If you combine hot oil and water, what happens?
If you watch a sad movie, what do you do?
If you watch a scary movie, what do you do?
If you have a lot of work, how do you organize yourself?
If you meet someone new, how do you introduce yourself?
When you see a homeless person, what do you do?
When you read, do you get tired?
When you are hungry, what is your favorite snack?
When you go shopping, what do you like to buy?
When you go on vacation, what do you usually do?
When you get a headache, what do you do?
When there is nothing on TV, what do you watch?
When you oversleep, what do you do?
What do you do if you are sleepy during the day?
What do you do if you can’t fall asleep?
What do you talk about if you see your best friend?
What does your teacher do if you talk in class?
How do you prepare if you have a difficult exam?
What do you do if you find money in the street?
What do you do if you need to relax?
Who do you talk to if you want to be social?
Where do you go when you want to exercise?
What do you do when you accidentally cut yourself?
What do you like to wear when it is winter?
How do you feel when it is Monday morning?
How do you feel when it is Friday afternoon?
What do you like to buy when you go to the bakery?
What happens when you don’t do your homework?
Zero Conditional Questions
Download PDF
Download and print these 30 zero conditional questions.

Download
As you can see, the zero conditional form is super easy! In fact, it is one of the simplest grammar structures
for English language learners to learn. Before you go, be sure to check out the related resources below.

Related Resources
Zero Conditional Examples
First Conditional Examples
Second Conditional Examples
Third Conditional Examples
How To Teach The Zero Conditional
How To Teach The First Conditional
How To Teach The Second Conditional
How To Teach The Third Conditional
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