USE
We use the zero conditional (Type 0)
- to talk about the laws of nature
If you heat ice, it melts.
- to talk about things that are usually true.
If you go out in the rain, you get wet.
FORM
1. The zero conditional sentences consist of two parts: the if-clause and the main clause.
E.g. If you go out in the rain, you get wet.
If you go out in the rain — the if-clause
you get wet — the main clause
2. When the if-clause comes before the main clause, they are separated with a comma.
If you go out in the rain, you get wet.
3. When the main clause comes before the if-clause, they are not separated with a comma.
You get wet if you go out in the rain.
4. We can use “when” instead of “if” in the zero conditional sentences.
If you go out in the rain, you get wet. = When you go out in the rain, you get wet.
5. In interrogative sentences, the main clause is formed like a question and the if-clause is formed like an affirmative sentence.
Do you get wet if you go out in the rain? (NOT: Do you get wet if do you go out in the rain?)
If you go out in the rain, do you get wet? (NOT: If do you go out in the rain, do you get wet?)
STRUCTURE
| the if-clause | the main clause |
| Present Simple | Present Simple |
| If you go out in the rain, | you get wet. |
FORMULA
If <Present Simple>, <Present Simple>.
<Present Simple> if <Present Simple>.
Revise how to form Present Simple here.