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Conditional Zero

The document discusses the zero conditional, which uses two present simple verbs to make statements about general truths or facts that are always true. Examples are provided to illustrate the form and function of the zero conditional, including statements about scientific facts, instructions, and questions for practice.

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rachidswimmer
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18 views

Conditional Zero

The document discusses the zero conditional, which uses two present simple verbs to make statements about general truths or facts that are always true. Examples are provided to illustrate the form and function of the zero conditional, including statements about scientific facts, instructions, and questions for practice.

Uploaded by

rachidswimmer
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Zero Conditional

Form

In zero conditional sentences, the tense in both parts of the sentence is the simple present.

If clause (condition) Main clause (result)


If + simple present simple present
If this thing happens that thing happens.

As in all conditional sentences, the order of the clauses is not fixed. You may have to rearrange the pronouns
and adjust punctuation when you change the order of the clauses, but the meaning is identical. In zero
conditional sentences, you can replace "if" with "when", because both express general truths. The meaning will
be unchanged.

Examples

 If you heat ice, it melts.


 Ice melts if you heat it.
 When you heat ice, it melts.
 Ice melts when you heat it.
 If it rains, the grass gets wet.
 The grass gets wet if it rains.
 When it rains, the grass gets wet.
 The grass gets wet when it rains.

Function

The zero conditional is used to make statements about the real world, and often refers to general truths, such as
scientific facts. In these sentences, the time is now or always and the situation is real and possible.

Examples

 If you freeze water, it becomes a solid.


 Plants die if they don't get enough water.
 If my husband has a cold, I usually catch it.
 If public transport is efficient, people stop using their cars.
 If you mix red and blue, you get purple.

The zero conditional is also often used to give instructions, using the imperative in the main clause.

Examples

 If Bill phones, tell him to meet me at the cinema.


 Ask Pete if you're not sure what to do.
 If you want to come, call me before 5:00.
 Meet me here if we get separated.

The Zero Conditional


We can make a zero conditional sentence with two present simple verbs (one in the 'if clause' and one in the
'main clause'):

 If + present simple, .... present simple.


This conditional is used when the result will always happen. So, if water reaches 100 degrees, it always boils.
It's a fact. I'm talking in general, not about one particular situation. The result of the 'if clause' is always the
main clause.

The 'if' in this conditional can usually be replaced by 'when' without changing the meaning.

For example: If water reaches 100 degrees, it boils. (It is always true, there can't be a different result
sometimes). If I eat peanuts, I am sick. (This is true only for me, maybe, not for everyone, but it's still true that
I'm sick every time I eat peanuts)

Here are some more examples:


 If people eat too much, they get fat.
 If you touch a fire, you get burned.
 People die if they don't eat.
 You get water if you mix hydrogen and oxygen.
 Snakes bite if they are scared
 If babies are hungry, they cry

Questions and Answers

 1. If you .......... (heat) ice, it .......... (melt).



 2. If the temperature .......... (drop) below zero, the water .......... (freeze).

 3. If the leaves .......... (fall), the trees .......... (be) bare.

 4. Their baby girl rarely .......... (cry) unless she .......... (be) hungry.

 5. If you .......... (do) exercise every day, you .......... (be) fit.

 6. Your teeth .......... (be) cleaner if you .......... (use) toothpaste.

 7. If we .......... (drink) enough water, we .......... (have) lots of energy.

 8. If someone .......... (enter) the building, the alarm .......... (go off).

 9. If you .......... (press) this button, the computer .......... (turn on).

 10. If you .......... (heat) water, it .......... (boil).

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