The zero conditional is used to talk about things that are facts or things that are generally true.

The sentence has two verbs.

Examples

1. If you put hot water in the fridge, it will turn into ice faster than room-temperature water.
2. If you don’t brush your teeth regularly, you get cavities over time.
3. If water reaches its boiling point, it boils.
4. If you heat ice, it melts.
5. If the sun sets, it gets dark.
6. If you mix red and blue, you get purple.
7. If you touch fire, you get burned.
8. If you drop an object, it falls to the ground.
9. If plants receive sunlight, they grow.
10. If you add sugar to tea, it becomes sweeter.
11. If you freeze water, it turns into ice.
12. If you mix vinegar and baking soda, it fizzes.
13. When you walk in the rain, you get wet.

In these sentences, the “if” clause expresses the condition, and the main clause expresses the result that always happens when the condition is met.

How do you use the zero conditional?

1. Use only the present simple tense.

This implies using the sentence structure subject + are/am/is (verb).

Example

Those dogs bark everyday.

2. Use “when” and “if” when making sentences.

This is because they reflect the outcome of the action. The timeframe is not relevant, but the results are imminent.

Example

If wake up at 5 am on Summer days, you will see the sun rise.

When we exercise regularly, we will become healthy.

3. Use it to give advice and suggestions

This refers to recommending something to someone with verified consequences.

Examples

If you want to pass the exams, study hard.

If you regularly rehearse singing, you will become a great musician.

4. Use it to ask challenging truthful questions

These are questions which, if analyzed, the answers are actual for everyone.

Examples

If you don’t eat healthy food, what will happen?

If you study hard, what will happen?