LoginZero Conditional
In this article, you'll dive into the zero conditional, like 'If you mix red and blue, you get purple'. Detailed explanations and a quiz are included to test your knowledge.
What Is Zero Conditional?
The zero conditional is a grammatical structure frequently used to express a fact or situation that is always true and does not change, regardless of the specific context or situation. It can be used to describe scientific principles, natural phenomena, or personal facts.
Zero Conditional: Structure
The basic structure of a zero type conditional is as follows:
If + condition, result (also called consequent)
Both the condition and the result are typically in the present simple tense, which is commonly used to describe facts. However, the result can also be in imperative mood to give an instruction that should be followed if the condition is met. Here are some examples:
If you heat water, it boils.
This is an example of zero conditionals. The condition always leads to the same result.
If you travel to London, go to the Buckingham Palace.
Here, the result is in imperative mood.
The Condition Clause
The condition clause typically comes at the beginning of the sentence, and a comma (,) separates it from the main clause, also known as the result clause. For example:
If you mix red paint and yellow paint, you get orange paint.
Here, 'if you mix red paint and yellow paint' is the condition clause. 'You get orange paint' is the result clause.
If you heat water to 100 degrees Celsius, it boils.
Order of Clauses
Since the condition clause is marked, it can come at the beginning or at the end of the sentence, without any change in the meaning of the sentence. When the condition clause comes at the beginning, it must be followed by a comma, but when it comes after the result clause, no comma is needed. Here's an example:
You burn your hand if you touch the hot stove.
'You burn your hand' is the result and 'if you keep it close to fire' is the condition clause.
Condition Markers
In addition to 'if,' you can also use 'when' or 'unless' to introduce a condition clause.
'Unless' introduces a negative condition, and conveys the same meaning as 'if...not'. In other words, it presents a condition that must not be fulfilled for something to happen or be true. See the examples:
We go to work tomorrow unless something unexpected happens.
Or 'unless something unexpected happens, we go to work tomorrow'.
The garden party is on unless it rains.
This sentence has the same meaning as 'The garden party is on if it doesn't rain.'
On the other hand, 'when' introduces a condition that leads to a predictable result and expresses certainty about the result. For example:
When I don't clean my bedroom, my mom gets angry.
We can use 'when' instead of 'if'. It won't change the meaning of the sentence.
Review
'Zero conditional' is often used for something that is generally true and does not change, something that always happens if a condition is met, like a scientific fact. The condition always has the same result.
Condition Markers
In addition to 'if', you can also use 'when' or 'unless'. 'Unless' introduces a negative condition and 'when' expresses certainty about a predictable result.
If you press this button, the machine starts.
When I skip breakfast, I feel tired by noon.
Plants die unless they get enough water.
Quiz:
Choose the correct sentence using the zero conditional.
If you will heat ice, it melts.
If you heat ice, it melts.
If you heated ice, it melts.
If you heat ice, it will melt.
Arrange the words to form a correct zero conditional sentence with "unless."
Complete with the correct verb form.
If you
(heat) ice, it
(melt).
When water
(reach) 0°C, it
(freeze).
Unless you
(water) plants, they
(die).
(leave) outside, milk spoils.
Which sentence correctly uses a zero marker?
If left in sunlight, ice melts.
Leaving in sunlight, ice melts.
Left in sunlight, ice melts.
When left in sunlight, ice melts.
Choose true or false for each statement.
Zero conditionals can use "will" in the result clause for future certainty. | |
The condition markers "if" and "unless" are interchangeable in zero conditionals without changing meaning. | |
In zero conditionals, the condition clause must always come before the result clause. | |
Zero conditionals allow modal verbs (e.g., "can," "must") in the result clause. | |
Zero conditionals can omit the condition marker in passive structures. |
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