Zero Conditional
01 · Quick explanation
Use the Zero Conditional for facts that are always true: If you heat ice, it melts.
02 · Full explanation
The Zero Conditional describes general truths, scientific facts, and habits/routines: things that are always or usually true. Form: If + Present Simple, Present Simple. If or when can both be used because the result always follows the condition. Example: If you mix blue and yellow, you get green. When water freezes, it turns into ice.
03 · Formula
04 · Affirmative
+ If/When + Present Simple, + Present Simple
- If you heat water to 100°C, it boils.
- When the sun sets, the sky turns orange.
05 · Negative
− If + do/does not + V, + do/does not + V
- If you don't water plants, they don't grow.
- If people don't sleep enough, they don't feel well.
06 · Question
? What happens if + S + V?
- What happens if you mix red and white paint?
- Does the alarm ring if someone opens the door?
07 · Examples
ENIf you heat ice, it melts.
KZМұзды қыздырсаң, ол ериді.
RUЕсли нагреть лёд, он тает.
ENWater boils if you heat it to 100 degrees.
KZСуды 100 градусқа дейін қыздырсаң, ол қайнайды.
RUВода кипит, если её нагреть до 100 градусов.
ENIf children eat too much sugar, they get energetic.
KZБалалар тым көп қант жесе, олар энергиялы болады.
RUЕсли дети едят слишком много сахара, они становятся энергичными.
ENPlants die if they don't get water.
KZСу ішпесе, өсімдіктер қурап қалады.
RUРастения погибают, если им не хватает воды.
ENWhen you press this button, the light turns on.
KZОсы түймені бассаң, жарық жанады.
RUКогда нажимаешь эту кнопку, свет включается.
ENIf it rains, the ground gets wet.
KZЖаңбыр жауса, жер дымқыл болады.
RUЕсли идёт дождь, земля становится мокрой.
ENPeople feel tired if they don't sleep enough.
KZАдамдар жеткілікті ұйықтамаса, шаршайды.
RUЛюди чувствуют усталость, если недостаточно спят.
ENIf you mix blue and yellow, you get green.
KZКөк пен сарыны араластырсаң, жасыл түс шығады.
RUЕсли смешать синий и жёлтый, получится зелёный.
ENThe alarm rings if someone opens the door.
KZБіреу есікті ашса, дабыл шырылдайды.
RUСигнализация звонит, если кто-то открывает дверь.
ENIf metals get hot, they expand.
KZМеталдар қызса, олар ұлғаяды.
RUЕсли металлы нагреваются, они расширяются.
08 · Signal words
09 · Common mistakes
✗ If you heat ice, it will melt.
✓ If you heat ice, it melts.
General truths use Present Simple in both clauses, not will.
✗ If water freeze, it turns into ice.
✓ If water freezes, it turns into ice.
Third person singular needs -s: freezes.
✗ Plants don't grow if they don't got water.
✓ Plants don't grow if they don't get water.
Use the base form after don't: get, not got.
10 · Compare with similar grammar
Zero Conditional vs First Conditional
Zero Conditional states a general fact that is always true (If you heat water, it boils). First Conditional talks about a specific, possible future situation (If it rains tomorrow, I will stay home).
If you heat ice, it melts. (always true)
If it rains tomorrow, I will stay home. (one future possibility)
If you mix red and blue, you get purple. (fact)
If I have time, I will call you. (future plan)
11 · Interactive exercises
Answer each task and press Check. Type answers in English.
0 / 10 · 0 checked
1. Choose the correct answer:
If you heat water to 100°C, it ___.
2. Choose the correct answer:
Ice ___ if you heat it.
3. Choose the correct answer:
If people ___ enough water, they feel thirsty.
4. Choose the correct answer:
When the sun ___, the sky turns dark.
5. Fill in the gap:
If you ___ (mix) red and yellow, you get orange.
6. Fill in the gap:
Plants ___ (die) if they don't get sunlight.
7. Fill in the gap:
If metal ___ (heat), it expands.
8. Fill in the gap:
The light turns on if you ___ (press) this button.
9. Correct the sentence:
If you touch fire, you will get burned.
10. Correct the sentence:
Water turn to ice if it gets very cold.
12 · Mini test
Question 1 / 5
Which sentence is correct?
13 · Practice
Choose a skill to practise this topic.