ZERO CONDITIONAL
What happens if you leave a glass of water outside on a hot day? What about if you mix baking soda with vinegar? These are examples of the zero conditional – a special type of sentence we use to talk about facts, truths, and situations that are always true under certain conditions. Let’s discover how to use it!
Concept: Zero Conditional Structure
In the zero conditional, we talk about things that are always true in certain situations or under certain conditions. We use it to describe scientific facts, general truths, or things that always happen if something else happens first.
Structure:
If + present (simple/continuous/perfect) + COMMA + present (simple/continuous/perfect) .
OR
Present (simple/continuous/perfect) + If + present (simple/continuous/perfect).
- Example 1: If you heat water to 100°C, it boils.
- Example 2: We can go out if you have finished your homework.
In the following video you will have a quick masterclass regarding this topic:
Why is it important to use the Zero Conditional daily?
You use the zero conditional every day without even realizing it! Whether it’s rules, instructions, or facts, you encounter them in conversations, books, instructions, or even when you’re learning science or math. For example:
- “If it rains, the ground gets wet.”
- “If you are driving, don’t look at your phone.”
These are truths and rules that always apply – just like the zero conditional.
Dive into the interesting differences and nuances of formal and informal English:
Learning Activities
Engage in the following activities to practice what you’ve learned throughout this lesson:
“If I Were You” Game
Instructions:
- You will be given a scenario about. You then have to create a zero conditional sentence applicable to the situation. (e.g., “If I am late to class,….I ran as quickly as I can.”).
Truth or Lie – Zero Conditional Edition
Instructions:
- In this version of the game, you will say three statements: two are true, and one is false. Your classmates have to guess which one is false, but the key is to use the zero conditional in each statement. For example, “If you leave water out in the sun, it evaporates” (true) or “If you drink soda, you sleep better” (false).