Zero Conditional: Habits and Routines
The zero conditional expresses absolute certainty and universal truths using only the present simple tense in both clauses.
The Rule in 30 Seconds
- Used for facts, habits, and rules that are always true.
- Follows the pattern: If/When + Present Simple, + Present Simple.
- Both the condition and the result happen in the present.
- Interchangeable with 'when' for general truths and routines.
Quick Reference
| Condition Clause | Result Clause | Usage Type | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| If + Present Simple | Present Simple | Scientific Fact | If you heat water to 100°C, it boils. |
| If + Present Simple | Present Simple | Personal Routine | If I get home late, I order pizza. |
| When + Present Simple | Present Simple | General Truth | When the sun goes down, it gets cold. |
| If + Present Simple | Imperative | Instruction | If you see a mistake, fix it. |
| Present Simple | if + Present Simple | No Comma Rule | The car doesn't start if the battery is dead. |
| Unless + Present Simple | Present Simple | Negative Logic | Unless it rains, the park stays open. |
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 9If you touch fire, you get burned.
Si tocas el fuego, te quemas.
When I wake up, I drink a glass of water.
Cuando me despierto, bebo un vaso de agua.
If the alarm rings, the staff must leave the building.
Si suena la alarma, el personal debe salir del edificio.
The 'When' Swap
If you can replace 'if' with 'when' without losing the meaning, you are definitely using the zero conditional. Try it with your habits!
Avoid the 'Will' Trap
It is tempting to use 'will' because it feels like a result, but for general truths, English prefers the stability of the present simple.
The Rule in 30 Seconds
- Used for facts, habits, and rules that are always true.
- Follows the pattern: If/When + Present Simple, + Present Simple.
- Both the condition and the result happen in the present.
- Interchangeable with 'when' for general truths and routines.
Overview
Welcome to your new favorite grammar tool. The zero conditional is the most reliable pattern in English. It is like a loyal friend who never changes. You use it to talk about things that are always true. It covers your habits, your routines, and scientific facts. Think of it like a light switch. You flip the switch, and the light comes on. There is no "maybe" here. There is no "perhaps." It is 100% certain every single time. If you do A, then B happens. It makes your English sound solid and confident. It is the foundation of clear communication. Whether you are ordering food or explaining a job, this rule helps. It is simple, effective, and very powerful. Let’s dive in and see how it works.
How This Grammar Works
This grammar pattern links two events together. The first event is the condition. The second event is the result. In the zero conditional, the link is unbreakable. The result always follows the condition. It is like a computer program. Input A always produces output B. We use the present simple for both parts. This tells the listener that we are talking about a general truth. We are not talking about one specific time. We are talking about how the world works. It is the language of laws and logic. If you heat ice, it melts. This is not a guess. It is a fact. The zero conditional captures this certainty perfectly. It helps you describe your world without any doubt. It is your go-to for routines and rules.
Formation Pattern
- 1Creating this structure is easier than making toast. Follow these simple steps to build your sentences.
- 2Start with the word
iforwhen. - 3Add your condition using the Present Simple tense.
- 4Place a comma after the condition if you start with
if. - 5Add your result using the Present Simple tense again.
- 6Structure:
If/When+ Present Simple, + Present Simple. - 7Example:
Ifit rains, the ground gets wet. - 8You can also flip the sentence around. Put the result first and the condition second.
- 9Example: The ground gets wet
ifit rains. - 10Notice something? There is no comma when the result comes first. Think of the comma as a bridge. You only need it if you start on the "if" side. Also, remember your verb endings. Use an
-sforhe,she, andit. It is a small detail, but it matters! Yes, even native speakers forget that-ssometimes when they are in a rush. Don't be that person.
When To Use It
Use this pattern for your daily life. It is perfect for habits. If I wake up early, I go for a run. It works for scientific facts too. If you mix oil and water, they don't stay together. Use it for general truths that everyone knows. If you don't eat, you get hungry. It is also great for giving instructions. If the light turns red, you stop the car. Think of it like a grammar traffic light. Green means go, red means stop. In a job interview, use it to show your professional habits. If a customer is unhappy, I listen to their feedback. This shows that you are consistent. It shows you have a plan for every situation. It is the language of reliability. Use it whenever you want to say "this always happens."
When Not To Use It
Don't use the zero conditional for specific future plans. This is a common trap. If you are talking about tomorrow, you need a different tool.
Wrong: If it rains tomorrow, I stay home.
This sounds like a law of nature. It sounds like you are a robot that cannot leave the house if a drop of water falls.
Right: If it rains tomorrow, I *will* stay home.
Also, avoid it for things that are unlikely. The zero conditional is for 100% certainty. If there is a chance it won't happen, use might or maybe. It is not for your wild dreams or imaginary worlds. Don't use it to talk about winning the lottery. Unless, of course, you have a magic machine that guarantees a win every time. If you do, please call me! For everyone else, keep the zero conditional for facts and routines.
Common Mistakes
The biggest mistake is adding the word will. Learners often want to look into the future. They say: If I am tired, I will sleep. That is the first conditional. For a general habit, keep it simple. If I am tired, I sleep. Another mistake is the comma. People forget it when they start with if. Or they add it when if is in the middle. Remember: If at the start needs a comma. If in the middle needs nothing. Also, watch out for the third person. If she eat nuts, she get sick. (No! That's painful to hear). Correct: If she eats nuts, she gets sick. It is a tiny letter, but it carries a lot of weight. Think of the -s as the glue that holds the sentence together.
Contrast With Similar Patterns
You might confuse this with the First Conditional. They look similar, but they feel different. The Zero Conditional is about "always." The First Conditional is about "one time in the future."
Zero: If I drink coffee, I stay awake. (This is my life story).
First: If I drink coffee tonight, I will stay awake. (Just for tonight).
It is also different from the Second Conditional. The second one is for dreams. If I were a cat, I would sleep all day. The zero conditional is for your real life. If I am a student, I study. One is a fantasy, the other is your Monday morning. Use the zero conditional when you want to be grounded in reality. It is the "no-nonsense" member of the conditional family.
Quick FAQ
Q. Can I use when instead of if?
A. Yes! In the zero conditional, they are basically twins. They mean the same thing.
Q. Is the zero conditional only for the present?
A. Mostly, yes. It describes general truths that are true now and always.
Q. Can I use negative sentences?
A. Absolutely. If you don't water plants, they die.
Q. Does it work for rules at work?
A. Yes, it is perfect for that. If you are late, you lose your bonus.
Q. Is it okay to use unless?
A. Yes. Unless means if not. Unless it rains, I go for a walk. It adds a nice variety to your speech. It makes you sound more like a pro.
Reference Table
| Condition Clause | Result Clause | Usage Type | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| If + Present Simple | Present Simple | Scientific Fact | If you heat water to 100°C, it boils. |
| If + Present Simple | Present Simple | Personal Routine | If I get home late, I order pizza. |
| When + Present Simple | Present Simple | General Truth | When the sun goes down, it gets cold. |
| If + Present Simple | Imperative | Instruction | If you see a mistake, fix it. |
| Present Simple | if + Present Simple | No Comma Rule | The car doesn't start if the battery is dead. |
| Unless + Present Simple | Present Simple | Negative Logic | Unless it rains, the park stays open. |
The 'When' Swap
If you can replace 'if' with 'when' without losing the meaning, you are definitely using the zero conditional. Try it with your habits!
Avoid the 'Will' Trap
It is tempting to use 'will' because it feels like a result, but for general truths, English prefers the stability of the present simple.
Instruction Power
Think of the zero conditional like a recipe. 'If you want spicy food, add chili.' Using the imperative in the result is a pro move.
Logical Politeness
In British English, zero conditionals are often used to state company policies firmly but politely, like 'If you smoke here, you receive a fine.'
Beispiele
9If you touch fire, you get burned.
Focus: get burned
Si tocas el fuego, te quemas.
A universal physical law.
When I wake up, I drink a glass of water.
Focus: drink
Cuando me despierto, bebo un vaso de agua.
A personal habit using 'when'.
If the alarm rings, the staff must leave the building.
Focus: must leave
Si suena la alarma, el personal debe salir del edificio.
A strict protocol or rule.
Plants die if they don't get enough sunlight.
Focus: die
Las plantas mueren si no reciben suficiente luz solar.
Biological fact with result clause first.
If a passenger misses their flight, they lose their deposit.
Focus: lose
Si un pasajero pierde su vuelo, pierde su depósito.
Business policy or contractual rule.
If I'm stressed, I just go for a long walk.
Focus: go
Si estoy estresado, simplemente doy un largo paseo.
Conversational routine.
✗ If you mix blue and red, you will get purple. → ✓ If you mix blue and red, you get purple.
Focus: get
Si mezclas azul y rojo, obtienes morado.
Don't use 'will' for universal color facts.
✗ When she exercise she feels better. → ✓ When she exercises, she feels better.
Focus: exercises
Cuando ella hace ejercicio, se siente mejor.
Remember the third person 's' and the comma.
Unless you have a ticket, you don't enter the theater.
Focus: don't enter
A menos que tengas una entrada, no entras al teatro.
Using 'unless' for a negative condition.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence describing a universal truth.
If you ___ ice in the sun, it melts.
We use the present simple for both parts of the zero conditional to describe facts.
Select the correct verb form for this personal habit.
When my sister ___ bored, she calls me.
Both 'is' and 'gets' are present simple and fit the context of a routine.
Choose the sentence with correct punctuation and grammar.
___
No comma is needed when the 'if' clause comes second.
🎉 Ergebnis: /3
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Zero vs. First Conditional
Is it a Zero Conditional?
Is it a general fact or habit?
Does it always happen?
Are both verbs in Present Simple?
Common Trigger Words
Conditions
- • if
- • when
- • whenever
- • unless
Tenses
- • present simple
- • imperative
- • no future forms
Häufig gestellte Fragen
22 FragenIt is a sentence structure used to describe facts, routines, or rules that are always true. It connects a specific condition to a certain result using the present simple tense in both clauses.
It's called 'zero' because there is zero uncertainty. Unlike the first or second conditionals, which deal with possibilities, this one deals with 100% reality.
Yes, whenever is perfect for emphasizing that the result happens every single time. For example, Whenever it rains, I feel sad.
No, only if the if clause comes first. If you say I get sick if I eat nuts, you don't need a comma.
Not really. If you use two past simple verbs, it describes a past habit, but we usually call that a 'past conditional' or just past description. Zero conditional is strictly for general, timeless truths.
In the zero conditional, they are almost the same. If implies the condition might not happen often, while when implies it happens regularly.
Yes, and it is very common for instructions. For example, If you are cold, put on a coat.
You can use it, but it's optional. If it rains, then the ground gets wet is correct but sounds slightly more formal or logical.
Use don't or doesn't. For example, If you don't study, you don't pass.
Yes, can works well in the result clause. If you have a passport, you can travel.
Absolutely. Unless it's sunny, I stay inside means the same as If it's not sunny, I stay inside.
It becomes a first conditional. This changes the meaning from a general truth to a specific prediction about the future.
Sometimes, for the condition. If it's raining, I take an umbrella. This describes a habit during a specific ongoing state.
Yes, that is its primary job. If you heat metal, it expands.
Use do/does. For example, Do you get a headache if you don't drink water?
It's both! It is a neutral, essential part of the English language used in every context.
Of course. If I am happy, I sing.
Most languages have a similar structure, but some use different tenses for the result. English is quite strict about using the present simple.
Yes. If you arrive at a party, you say hello to the host.
Then it's usually not a zero conditional. Zero conditional results are automatic, not optional.
Very often. It defines terms and conditions. If the payment is late, a fee applies.
Think of If as a heavy weight. If it's at the start, the sentence needs a comma to balance it!
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