Grammar - Zero Conditional

Read the text and complete the activities below.

We use the Zero Conditional to talk about things that are always true, such as general truths, scientific facts, habits, and routines.

The Structure:

If / When + Present Simple, Present Simple

(Note: You can use "if" or "when" in these sentences, and the meaning stays the same!)

Here is how we use it in different situations:

1. Scientific Facts and General Truths

We use the zero conditional to describe facts that do not change.

Example 1: If you heat ice, it melts.

Example 2: Water boils when it reaches 100 degrees Celsius.

Example 3: If plants do not get enough sunlight, they die.

2. Habits and Routines

We also use it to talk about our personal routines or things that happen regularly as a result of something else.

Example 1: If I wake up early, I usually go for a run.

Example 2: She always gets a headache when she looks at screens for too long.

Example 3: When it rains on the weekend, we stay inside and watch movies.

3. Giving Instructions

You can use the zero conditional to give instructions or rules. In this case, the second part of the sentence uses the imperative (a command).

Example 1: If you have any questions, ask the teacher.

Example 2: Call me when you arrive at the train station.

Example 3: If the fire alarm rings, leave the building immediately.

ACTIVITIES

Exercise 1: Multiple Choice

Choose the correct option to complete the sentences.

1. If you ______ red and blue, you get purple.

a) mix b) mixed c) mixing

2. Ice melts if you ______ it in the sun.

a) leaves b) leave c) left

3. When I ______ tired, I go to bed early.

a) feel b) feels c) feeling

4. If a student ______ a class, they have to copy the notes.

a) miss b) misses c) missing

5. The machine turns off automatically if it ______ too hot.

a) get b) got c) gets

Exercise 2: Match the Halves

Drag and drop the correct ending from the bottom box to match the beginning of the sentence.

1. If you press this button,

2. When it is cold outside,

3. If babies are hungry,

4. My dog barks

5. If you don't eat all day,

a) when he sees a stranger.

b) you get very hungry.

c) the computer turns on.

d) people wear warm coats.

e) they usually cry.

Exercise 3: Gap Fill

Fill in the blanks with the correct Present Simple form of the verbs below. As you type the correct forms, the base words will be crossed out!

eat freeze not/water rain smile

1. If I too much candy, I feel sick.

2. When it , the grass gets wet.

3. She always when she sees her best friend.

4. If you the plants, they die.

5. Water if the temperature drops below zero.