Zero type if conditional

Oktober 19, 2020

Zero type if conditional

We use the zero conditional when we want to talk about facts or things that are generally true. Scientific facts are often covered by the zero conditional: "When you heat ice, it melts."

The zero conditional uses if or when and must be followed by the simple present or imperative.

We can make a zero conditional sentence with two present simple verbs (one in the 'if clause' and one in the 'main clause'):

If + present simple, .... present simple.

This conditional is used when the result will always happen. So, if water reaches 100 degrees, it always boils. It's a fact. I'm talking in general, not about one particular situation. The result of the 'if clause' is always the main clause.

The 'if' in this conditional can usually be replaced by 'when' without changing the meaning.

For example: If water reaches 100 degrees, it boils. (It is always true, there can't be a different result sometimes). If I eat peanuts, I am sick. (This is true only for me, maybe, not for everyone, but it's still true that I'm sick every time I eat peanuts).

So what can we say about the sentence above? Well, first of all, there is a real possibility of the condition being met. There is nothing to stop us putting ice in the sun. What about the result? Well, in the event that the condition is met, it is always true that ice melts, and so we can say that the result is certain.

And so that gives us the meaning of zero conditional sentences. We use them when the result of a real condition is always true or is a fact. Because of this we often use it for things like scientific laws. Here are some more examples: