ZERO
CONDITIONAL
What is zero conditional?
Zero conditional is a structure used to talk
about general truths, that is, things that
always happen under certain given
conditions.
What’s its structure?
A zero conditional sentence is made of two clauses: a
main clause and an ‘if’ clause. Both clauses use the
present simple tense. The order of the clauses
doesn’t change the meaning of the sentence
When the ‘if’ clause goes first, you use a comma
between the clauses. When the main clause goes
first, there’s no need of a comma. Look at the
examples:
'if' clause main clause
If you heat water at 100 degrees, it boils.
main clause 'if' clause
Water boils if you heat it at 100 degrees.
Note:
* You can change ‘if’ for ‘when’ and ‘as soon
as’
* To say ‘if not’, you can use ‘unless’
Exercises
Match the clauses from both columns to create zero
conditional sentences.