ZERO CONDITIONAL
The zero conditional is used to express general truths, scientific facts, or situations that are always true under certain conditions. It deals with real situations where the outcome is guaranteed if the condition is met.
Structure (Formula):
- If/When + Present Simple, Present Simple
| ORDER | IF/WHEN | Present Simple, | Present Simple |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | IF | you heat water to 100°C, | it boils. |
| 2. | WHEN | you mix red and blue, | you get purple. |
| 3. | IF | you touch fire, | it burns. |
| 4. | WHEN | the sun rises, | it gets brighter. |
| 5. | IF | you press this button, | the light turns on. |
| 6. | WHEN | it rains, | the grass gets wet. |
| 7. | IF | you don’t water plants, | they die. |
| 8. | WHEN | you don’t exercise, | you don’t feel energetic. |
| 9. | IF | metal doesn’t rust, | it isn’t exposed to air and moisture. |
| 10. | WHEN | you don’t study, | you don’t learn new things. |
| 11. | IF | the sun doesn’t shine, | the temperature doesn’t rise. |
| 12. | WHEN | food isn’t stored properly, | it spoils quickly. |
Function:
The zero conditional serves to illustrate cause-and-effect relationships that are universally applicable. It conveys inevitable outcomes when certain conditions are fulfilled, often emphasizing habitual actions or factual statements.
EXAMPLES:
Instructions:
Read the small paragraph. Answer the questions using the ZERO conditional.
When water reaches 100°C, it boils. This is a well-known fact that applies universally. In scientific experiments, for instance, when researchers heat water to this temperature, it always transitions to a gaseous state. It doesn’t matter what kind of container is used or how quickly the water is heated; the result is always the same under normal atmospheric pressure.
If you heat the water to 100°C, what will happen next?
If the pressure increases, what will change about the boiling point of water?
If people don’t get enough sleep, their cognitive functions deteriorate. Studies show that the brain relies on sufficient rest to process information and function effectively. When someone regularly deprives themselves of sleep, they struggle to concentrate, make decisions, and remember things. This is true regardless of the individual’s profession or lifestyle.
If you don’t get enough rest tonight, how will you feel tomorrow at work?
If a person continues to lose sleep over time, what will likely happen to their mental health?
When metal is exposed to moisture, it rusts. Engineers and builders are aware of this fact, so they take precautions to protect metal structures. Without protective coatings or treatments, metals like iron and steel begin to corrode. This can compromise the structural integrity of buildings and machinery if not properly addressed.
If you don’t apply a protective coating to the metal, what will happen over time?
If the moisture increases due to humidity, how will that affect the rusting process?
ANSWERS:
- If you heat the water to 100°C, it will boil.
If the pressure increases, the boiling point will rise.
- If you don’t get enough rest tonight, you will feel tired tomorrow at work.
If a person continues to lose sleep over time, their mental health will deteriorate.
- If you don’t apply a protective coating to the metal, it will rust over time.
If the moisture increases due to humidity, the metal will rust faster.
AFFIRMATIVE FORM ZERO CONDITIONAL EXERCISE
NEGATIVE FORM ZERO CONDITIONAL EXERCISE
SCRAMBLED SENTENCE ZERO CONDITIONAL EXERCISE
MATCHING EXERCISE ZERO CONDITIONAL
TRUE OR FALSE EXERCISE ZERO CONDITIONAL
Click here for a Multiple Choice Zero Conditional Exercise
