Professional Documents
Culture Documents
If Clause (Condition) Main Clause (Result) If + Simple Present Simple Present If This Thing Happens That Thing Happens
If Clause (Condition) Main Clause (Result) If + Simple Present Simple Present If This Thing Happens That Thing Happens
FORM
In zero conditional sentences, the tense in both parts of the sentence is the simple present.
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.5.If it rains, the grass gets wet.6.The grass gets wet if it rains.
7.When it rains, the grass gets wet.8.The grass gets wet when it rains.
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
The zero conditional is also often used to give instructions, using the imperative in the main
clause.
EXAMPLES