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The Zero Conditional

Hello everyone. Elham’s here from Zabanshenas.com

Today’s grammar lesson is about conditionals.

I know, a lot of English students hate them, But don’t worry, it’s easy peasy. I promise.

In English we have four conditionals.

I’m gonna teach you all four but each in separate videos so you won’t mix them up. Okay?

So let’s start with the zero conditional.

Zero conditional is used to talk about facts or situations that are always true.

Look at these examples:

If you freeze water, it becomes solid.

Yes, it does. It’s a scientific fact.

If people don’t eat or drink, they die.

Yes, we will.

We can often use WHEN instead of IF and it has the same meaning.

If you keep milk in the fridge, it lasts longer.

When you keep milk in the fridge, it lasts longer.

No difference!

Now as you can see these sentences are made of two parts separated with a comma. The “If clause” and the “main clause.”

If clause starts with if,

and main clause contains the consequence, the result.

If this thing happens, that thing happens.

So basically this is the grammar pattern:

If + sub + present simple verb, sub + present simple verb.

We use the present simple tense because the time is now or always and the situation is real and possible. We’re not talking about the past or future.

You can use zero conditional to express general habits:

If I get a headache, I take a painkiller.

When I have a lot of work, I stay in the office until late.

It’s possible to reverse the order of the clauses.

You see, If the “if” clause comes first, a comma is usually used.

If the “if” clause comes second, there’s no need for a comma.

If I work too much, I get tired.

I get tired if I work too much.

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

If we get separated, meet me here.

If you’re not sure what to do, ask Pete.

Now it’s your turn.

Write your sentences in the comments’ section down below.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask!

See you in the next video! Bye!