If + present clause, present clauseUse present form in both parts for facts and regular results. Add a comma when the if-part comes first.
Zero Conditional
A2Zero Conditional talks about facts, rules, and results that happen every time: If water boils, it evaporates.
What you'll learn
- Build zero conditional sentences with present form in both parts.
- Choose zero conditional for facts and general truths.
- Use zero conditional to state rules and instructions.
- Add a comma after the if-part when it comes first.
- Recognize markers like if, when, and unless.
Structure
Present clause + if + present clauseBoth parts stay in the present form. No comma before if when the result part comes first.
Build a sentence
Condition
Result
If you heat ice,it melts
If you heat ice, it melts.
Use present form in both parts for a fact that is always true.
When to use
General truths
Use it for facts that stay true whenever the condition happens. If you heat metal, it expands.
Science and nature
Use it for cause-and-effect facts in nature and science. If water reaches 32°F, it freezes.
Rules
Use it for official and everyday rules. If employees forget their badge, security calls the manager.
Instructions
Use it for instructions with a regular result. If the screen freezes, press restart.
Markers
ifwhenunlessevery timein that case
Common mistakes
Wrong
If you heat ice, it will melt.
Correct
If you heat ice, it melts.
Zero conditional states a general result, so both parts use present form.
Wrong
If people would eat too much, they feel sick.
Correct
If people eat too much, they feel sick.
The if-part in zero conditional does not use would. Keep it in the present form.
Wrong
If you mix blue and yellow you get green.
Correct
If you mix blue and yellow, you get green.
When the if-part comes first, put a comma before the result part.
Wrong
Plants die, if they do not get water.
Correct
Plants die if they do not get water.
Do not add a comma before if when the result part comes first.
Wrong
If the light will turn red, stop.
Correct
If the light turns red, stop.
In rules and instructions with if, the if-part stays in the present form, not future with will.
Common misconceptions
❝ Every sentence about a result needs will in the main part. ❞
Zero conditional does not use will for general results. Use present form in both parts: If you press this key, the program opens.
❝ The if-part must always come first. ❞
Both orders are correct. You can say If people do not eat, they get hungry or People get hungry if they do not eat.
Skills in this rule (5)
IF_PRESENT_PRESENTw5Build zero conditional sentences with present + present
Use the present form in both parts to talk about facts, rules, and results that happen every time. The if-part gives the condition; the other part gives the regular result.
USE_FOR_GENERAL_TRUTHSw5Use zero conditional for facts and general truths
Choose zero conditional when the result is always true in that situation, not just one time. It fits science facts, everyday truths, and patterns people know as facts.
USE_FOR_RULES_AND_INSTRUCTIONSw4Use zero conditional for rules and instructions
Use it for instructions that describe what happens in a certain case: press this button, add water, turn left. The meaning is rule-like: this action gives this result.
COMMA_AFTER_IF_CLAUSEw3Use a comma when the if-part comes first
Put a comma after the if-part when it starts the sentence. Do not add a comma when the result part comes first.
RECOGNIZE_ZERO_MARKERSw3Recognize markers that fit zero conditional
Look for cues like if, when, and unless with present-time meaning. These often introduce facts, routines, rules, and automatic results.