Ze ro C o nditi o n als

We use the zero conditional to talk about things that are true and factual.
These are generally rules.

We use the language structure:

If/When + present simple clause + , + present simple clause.

If you mix blue and yellow paint, you get green.

When I miss the bus, I am late for school.

Activity 1:
Read the zero conditional sentences below and underline the two separate
clauses.

1. When I eat food, my body gets energy.

2. If I touch the fire, I get burnt.

3. If my flowers have no water, they die.

4. When I take the batteries out of my clock, it stops working.

5. If you drive your car, you need petrol.

6. If you breathe, your lungs get oxygen.

7. When you are with your friends, you are happy.

8. If the athlete runs a marathon, she is tired.

9. When it is exam time, we study hard.

10. When it is winter, trees lose their leaves.

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 Zero Conditionals

Activity 2:
Insert the comma in the correct place in the zero conditional sentences below.

1. When it rains the grass gets wet.

2. When the traffic light is red the cars stop.

3. If I leave my ice cream in the sunshine it melts.

4. When water reaches 100°C it boils.

5. When he sends me a message I am happy.

6. If I eat rotten food I get sick.

7. If she gets there before me ask her to wait.

8. If you want eggs for breakfast crack open the eggs.

9. When I jump on the bed I get into trouble.

10. If it’s not raining we play outside.

Activity 3:
Match the clauses on the left, with the correct clause on the right.

If you drop a glass, I mix the ingredients together.

When you don’t brush your your parents are proud.

teeth,

When you win a scholarship, it breaks.

When there is a mouse in check in two hours before

the house, your flight.

If you travel by aeroplane, the cat catches it.

When I make a cake, they rot.

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 Zero Conditionals

Write out the full zero conditional sentences.

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

6. 

Activity 4:
Make sure the verbs are in the present simple tense to correct the zero
conditional sentences. Write the sentences out using the correct verb.

1. If you gave me presents, I am grateful.

2. If you swim the race, you got a medal.

3. When you punched someone at school, you got into trouble.

4. If you climb the mountain, you reached the top.

5. When you stood in the rain, you get sick.

6. When you donate to charity, you did a good deed.

7. If you sent a letter, put it in an envelope.

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 Zero Conditionals

8. If you don’t understand, asked the teacher for help.

9. When you made a mess, cleaned it up.

10. If you used my things, put them back when you are done.

Activity 5:
Fill in the blanks by thinking of an appropriate clause to complete each zero
conditional sentence.

1. If I stay awake all night,  .

2.  , the water turns to ice.

3. If I throw my popcorn on people in the movie theatre,  .

 .

4.  , my coffee is very sweet.

5. If you don’t know how to swim,  .

6. When it is raining,  .

7.  , the other
person gets a point.

8.  , I wear snow boots.

9. When we are hungry,  .

10.  , I feel unhappy.

Activity 6:
Look at the picture and use the object to write a zero conditional sentence.

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 Zero Conditionals

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 Zero Conditionals

Activity 7: Challenger!
Swap the first and second clause around to make a new sentence with the same
meaning. Hint: Join ‘If/When’ with clause 1 when you swap it.

1. When I go to McDonald’s, I order chicken nuggets.

2. If he wants to read, he wears his glasses.

3. When there is too much noise, I can’t concentrate well.

4. If I go on a ship, I get seasick.

5. When I have a toothache, I visit the dentist.

Activity 8: Bonus Challenger!

Think of your own zero conditional sentences and then write them below.

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

Disclaimer: This resource has been made for the purpose of teaching English language learners. We know that students can be learning English in many different places, in many different
ways and at age, so we try to keep these resources as general as possible. There are many acronyms associated with English language teaching. These include (but are not limited to) ELT,
TEFL, EFL, ELL, EAL and ESOL. While the term ESL may not fully represent the linguistic backgrounds of all students, it is the most widely recognised term for English language teaching
globally. Therefore, we use the term ‘ESL’ in the names of our resources to make them easy to find but they are suitable for any student learning to speak English.

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