Learn to use if/when + present simple for facts and general truths. Understand how to talk about things that are always true.
Zero conditional talks about things that are always true, like facts or habits.
Zero conditional = If + present simple, present simple. Both clauses use present simple.
When, not if
'When' can replace 'if' in zero conditional: 'When you heat water, it boils.' Both mean the same. 'When' sounds even more certain — it always happens.
Zero conditional is for things that are always true. We use if or when + present simple, then present simple.
Simple: Water boils at 100 degrees.
Zero conditional: If you heat water to 100 degrees, it boils.
Simple: The ground gets wet in rain.
Zero conditional: When it rains, the ground gets wet.
✓ If/When + present simple, present simple
✓ For facts, truths, habits
✓ Always true
✓ Use in everyday talk
Use zero conditional for things that happen every time the condition is true.
✓ "If you heat water, it boils."
✓ "When it rains, the ground gets wet."
✓ "If people eat too much, they get tired."
Tom is a science teacher. Every morning, he tells his students about general truths.
"If you heat water to 100 degrees, it boils," he explains. "When the sun sets, it gets dark."
His students love learning facts. "If you mix red and blue, you get purple!" says one student.
"When I study hard, I get good marks," says another. Tom smiles — they understand zero conditional!
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Here are simple examples of zero conditional you can use at A2 level.
| Condition | Result | Use |
|---|---|---|
| If you heat water | it boils | scientific fact |
| When it rains | the ground gets wet | general truth |
| If people eat too much | they get tired | habit |
| When I see a dog | I smile | personal fact |
| If you mix blue and yellow | you get green | scientific fact |
| When the sun shines | flowers grow | general truth |
| If it snows | we make snowmen | habit |
| When you press the button | the light turns on | instruction |
| Use | Examples |
|---|---|
| Scientific facts | If you heat ice, it melts; If you drop an apple, it falls |
| General truths | When it rains, people use umbrellas; If the sun sets, it gets dark |
| Habits or routines | If I feel hungry, I eat; When my phone rings, I answer |
| Instructions | If you feel sick, go to the doctor; When the light is red, stop |
✓ Use if for possible conditions
✓ Use when for things that always happen
✓ Both parts use present simple
✓ The condition can come first or second: "It boils if you heat water." OR "If you heat water, it boils."
Match the parts to make zero conditional sentences:
1. If you heat water → __________ (a) the ground gets wet
2. When it rains → __________ (b) it boils
3. If people eat too much → __________ (c) flowers grow
4. When the sun shines → __________ (d) they get tired
1. If you heat water → (b) it boils
2. When it rains → (a) the ground gets wet
3. If people eat too much → (d) they get tired
4. When the sun shines → (c) flowers grow
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This is an important rule for the zero conditional.
✓ "If you eat too much, you feel sick."
✓ "If it snows, the roads get slippery."
✓ "If you touch fire, you get burned."
✓ For things that might happen
✓ For warnings or advice
✓ For scientific facts
✓ "When it rains, I stay home."
✓ "When the sun shines, plants grow."
✓ "When I feel happy, I smile."
✓ For things that always happen
✓ For routines or habits
✓ For time-related facts
✓ Use if for possible or hypothetical facts
✓ Use when for certain or repeated events
✓ Both mean similar things in zero conditional
✓ "When it rains, ..." = "Whenever it rains, ..." ✓ (use when)
✓ "If you heat water, ..." = "Whenever you heat water, ..." ✓ (can use if or when)
✓ When in doubt, use if - it's always safe!
Want to try a Zero Conditional quiz?
Practice with multiple choice questions
See how zero conditional is used in real situations.
"If I feel tired, I drink coffee."
"When the alarm rings, I get up."
"If it rains, I take an umbrella."
"When I brush my teeth, I use toothpaste."
"When the alarm rings, I get up, and if I feel tired, I drink coffee."
"If I study hard, I learn a lot."
"When the teacher asks, I answer."
"If the computer breaks, I call help."
"When I finish work, I go home."
"At school, if I study hard, I learn a lot, and when the teacher asks, I answer."
"If we eat dinner together, we talk."
"When my sister calls, I answer."
"If children play, they learn."
"If friends meet, they have fun."
"When it is sunny, we go to the park."
"If you smile, people smile back."
"If friends meet, they have fun, and when it is sunny, we go to the park."
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Ready to test your Zero Conditional knowledge?
Challenge yourself with fill-in-the-blank exercises
❌ If you will heat water, it boils.
✓ If you heat water, it boils.
Use present simple in both parts, not will.
❌ When it rain, the ground get wet.
✓ When it rains, the ground gets wet.
Add -s for third person singular in present simple.
❌ If I eats too much, I feels sick.
✓ If I eat too much, I feel sick.
No -s after I/you/we/they in present simple.
❌ When you will press the button, the light turns on.
✓ When you press the button, the light turns on.
Use present simple, not will for facts.
❌ If it snows, we will make snowmen.
✓ If it snows, we make snowmen.
Use present simple for general truths, not will.
❌ When the sun shine, flowers grows.
✓ When the sun shines, flowers grow.
Correct verb forms: shines (singular), grow (plural).
Master Zero Conditional sentence building!
Drag and drop words to form correct sentences
Learn easy ways to practice zero conditional.
✓ Nature: If it rains, plants grow; When the wind blows, trees move
✓ Food: If you eat fruit, you stay healthy; When you cook eggs, they get hard
✓ Daily life: If you exercise, you feel good; When you sleep, you rest
✓ Facts: If you drop something, it falls; When light hits water, it reflects
✓ Habits: If I feel cold, I wear a jacket; When my friend calls, I talk
✓ Instructions: If you feel sick, see a doctor; When the phone rings, answer it
✓ Make 3 sentences each day about facts
✓ Talk about your day using if/when
✓ Write in a notebook with examples
✓ Use in real talks, not just lists
✓ Listen to songs or watch videos for examples
✓ Read simple stories and find zero conditional
1. If you __________ (heat) water, it __________ (boil).
2. When it __________ (rain), the ground __________ (get) wet.
3. If people __________ (eat) too much, they __________ (get) tired.
4. When the sun __________ (shine), flowers __________ (grow).
1. If you heat water, it boils.
2. When it rains, the ground gets wet.
3. If people eat too much, they get tired.
4. When the sun shines, flowers grow.
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To practice your pronunciation, listen to the audio first. Then 'Record' yourself repeating what you heard, and use the 'Playback' button to compare your pronunciation with the audio. If you want to record yourself again, simply click 'Delete'!
If you heat water to 100 degrees, it boils.
When it rains, the ground gets wet.
If people eat too much, they get tired.
When I see a dog, I smile.
If you mix blue and yellow, you get green.
When the sun shines, flowers grow.
If it snows, we make snowmen.
When you press the button, the light turns on.
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