THE ZERO CONDITIONAL

THE ZERO CONDITIONAL

The zero conditional is used for when the time being referred to is now or always and the situation is real and possible. The zero conditional is often used to refer to general truths. The tense in both parts of the sentence is the simple present. In zero conditional sentences, the word "if" can usually be replaced by the word "when" without changing the meaning.

If clause	Main clause
If + simple present	simple present
If this thing happens	that thing happens.
If you heat ice	it melts.
If it rains	the grass gets wet.

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.