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Zero Conditional

The zero conditional is used to express general truths and facts, often in scientific contexts, using the simple present tense in both clauses. It can be structured with 'if' or 'when' and is also utilized for giving instructions. Examples include statements like 'If you freeze water, it becomes a solid' and 'When it rains, tennis lessons are held in the gym.'

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8 views

Zero Conditional

The zero conditional is used to express general truths and facts, often in scientific contexts, using the simple present tense in both clauses. It can be structured with 'if' or 'when' and is also utilized for giving instructions. Examples include statements like 'If you freeze water, it becomes a solid' and 'When it rains, tennis lessons are held in the gym.'

Uploaded by

juan lopez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Conditional Type 0

(Zero Conditional)

Dina Elizabeth Cortes Coss


English has many conditionals, one of them is the zero.

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.

Example:

"When you heat ice, it melts."


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

For example:

1) "When it rains, tennis lessons are held in the gym."

2) "If it rains, tennis lessons are held in the gym."

3) "When John is out of the office, I take his calls."

4) "If John is out of the office, I take his calls."


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 clause (condition) Main clause (result)

If this thing happens that thing happens.

Example:

If a dog is happy, it wigs its tail.


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:

1) If you heat ice, it melts.

2) Ice melts if you heat it.

3) When you heat ice, it melts.

4) Ice melts when you heat it.


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:

1) If you freeze water, it becomes a solid.

2) Plants die if they don't get enough water.

3) If my husband has a cold, I usually catch it.

4) If public transport is efficient, people stop using their cars.


The zero conditional is also often used to give instructions,
using the imperative in the main clause.

Examples:

1) If Bill phones, tell him to meet me at the cinema.

2) Ask Pete if you're not sure what to do.

3) If you want to come, call me before 5:00.

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