ZERO CONDITIONAL STRUCTURE
If        +        Present Simple        +        Present Simple


Examples:

• If you heat ice, it melts.
  
• Ice melts if you heat it.
  
• If I go to bed late, I wake up late.
  
• You pay higher income taxes when you earn more money.
  

Negative

• If you do not exercise, you gain weight.
  
• If you exercise, you do not gain weight.
  
• If I don’t study, I don’t do well on tests.
  

Questions

• Does ice melt if you heat it?
  
• When do you wake up if you have to work?
  
• If you have to work, when do you wake up?
  

USES

1.  Rules

• If you take your cell phone into class, it must be turned off.
  
• If you drink alcohol, don’t drive.
  
• Do not use a calculator when you write the test.
  

2.  Scientific Facts and General Truths

• If you heat water to 100 degrees Celsius, it boils.
  
• If you drop something, it falls.
  
• When you combine oil and water, they do not mix.
  

3.  Cause and Effect

• If you push the button, the volume increases.
  
• If you close the door, it locks automatically.
  
• The computer turns off when you disconnect the battery.
  

4.  Routine

• I wear my boots when I work.
  
• She uses glasses when she drives.
  
• When I cook, I use olive oil.

Zero conditional Exercise

Complete the zero conditional sentences with the verb in brackets. Use contractions where possible.

it turns I go they don't have he's comes you aren't I don't know we don't do

1. If you press that button, the light(come) on.
2. It's easier to sleep if(you / not / be) stressed.
3. The teacher gets angry if(we / not / work) hard.
4. If(I / go) on a boat, I always feel sick.
5. His mother gets annoyed if(he / be) late.
6. If(I / not / know) a word, I look in my dictionary.
7. They play football if(they / not / have) any homework.
8. If you freeze water,(it / turn) to ice.