ConditionalsEnglish level A2

Zero Conditional

Facts, rules and things that are always true: if you heat ice, it melts.

Rule

Both parts take the Present Simple: If + Present Simple, Present Simple. Use it for laws of nature, rules and habits. Here if and when mean almost the same.

Formula

PatternIf + Present Simple, Present SimpleIf you heat ice, it melts.If I drink coffee at night, I don't sleep.
Rulesif / when + ruleIf you press this button, the door opens.When it rains, the grass gets wet.

Notes

  • The if-part can go second with no comma: Ice melts if you heat it.
  • For real future possibilities use the First Conditional - the next card

Practice

  1. If you missing word water, it boils.

  2. When it missing word, the grass gets wet.