50 Examples of Zero Conditional Sentences (2024)

Summary:The zero conditional describes general truths or consistent outcomes using “If + present simple, present simple” format, such as “If you heat ice, it melts.” It’s crucial to use present simple tense in both clauses and differs from the first conditional, which focuses on specific situations.

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What is Zero Conditional?

The zero conditional is a type of conditional sentence that is used to express general truths or facts that are always true. It is called the zero conditional because it does not involve any hypothetical situations or assumptions. The structure of a zero conditional sentence is:

If +present simple, present simple

Let’s take a look at some examples to understand this better:

Example 1:If you heat ice, it melts.This is a basic example of the zero conditional. It expresses the general truth that when you heat ice, it always melts.

Example 2:If I eat too much, I feel sick.This is another example of the zero conditional. It expresses a fact that is always true. If you eat too much, you always feel sick.

Example 3:If it rains, the road gets wet.This sentence expresses the general truth that the roads always get wet when it rains.

Example 4:If you don’t brush your teeth, you get cavities.This sentence expresses a cause-and-effect relationship. It is always true that if you don’t brush your teeth, you will get cavities.

Example 5:If you mix blue and yellow, you get green.This is an example of the zero conditional in science. It expresses the fact that when you mix blue and yellow, it always results in green.

Zero Conditional is formed by using thepresent simple tensein both clauses of the sentence. Using the simple present tense in both clauses is crucial when using the zero conditional. A common mistake is to use the simple future tense instead.

Incorrect: If you mix blue and yellow, you will get green.

We can see that the zero conditional is often used to express scientific facts or cause-and-effect relationships.

The words if and when can be used interchangeably in these zero conditional sentences. This is because the outcome will always be the same, so it doesn’t matter “if” or “when” it happens.

See this page to learn more about thedifference between the first and the zero conditionals. The first conditional is about a specific situation, but the zero is talking in general.

ARE YOU READY FOR A QUIZ?

1. If you (turn off) your phone, it (stop) receiving notifications.

Zero conditional positive sentences examples

  1. When you heat water to 100 degrees Celsius, it boils. (A statement about a scientific fact that is always true.)
  2. If I have free time, I read books. (A statement about a personal preference that is true when a specific condition is met.)
  3. If you mix vinegar and baking soda, it creates a chemical reaction. (A statement about a chemical reaction that is always true.)
  4. If you don’t wear a seatbelt, you can get hurt in a car accident. (A statement about a consequence that is likely to happen if a specific action is not taken.)
  5. If you don’t pay attention to the road while driving, you can cause an accident. (A statement about a possible consequence that is likely to happen in a specific situation.)
  6. If I don’t get enough sleep, I feel tired in the morning. (A statement about a personal experience that is true when a specific condition is not met.)
  7. If it rains heavily, the streets may flood. (A statement about a possible consequence that is likely to happen in a specific situation.)
  8. If you eat too much sugar, your blood sugar levels may spike. (A statement about a possible consequence that is likely to happen in a specific situation.)
  9. If you don’t take your medicine as prescribed, your condition may worsen. (A statement about a consequence that is likely to happen if a specific action is not taken.)
  10. If you don’t lock the door, anyone can enter the house. (A statement about a consequence that is likely to happen if a specific action is not taken.)
  11. If you go to bed late, you feel tired the next day. (A statement about a cause-and-effect relationship that is true in a specific situation.)
  12. If you exercise regularly, you can improve your physical health. (A statement about a possible benefit that is likely to happen in a specific situation.)
  13. If you don’t brush your teeth regularly, you may get cavities. (A statement about a consequence that is likely to happen if a specific action is not taken.)
  14. If you don’t water plants regularly, they may wither and die. (A statement about a consequence that is likely to happen if a specific action is not taken.)
  15. If you drive too fast, you can lose control of the car. (A statement about a possible consequence that is likely to happen in a specific situation.)
  16. If you cook food at a high temperature for too long, it may burn. (A statement about a consequence that is likely to happen if a specific action is taken for too long.)
  17. If you don’t stretch before exercising, you may get injured. (A statement about a consequence that is likely to happen if a specific action is not taken.)
  18. If you don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables, you may not get enough nutrients. (A statement about a consequence that is likely to happen if a specific action is not taken.)
  19. If you don’t practice regularly, you may not improve your skills. (A statement about a consequence that is likely to happen if a specific action is not taken.)
  20. If you work hard, you can achieve your goals. (A statement about a possible outcome that is likely to happen in a specific situation.)

Zero conditional negative sentences examples

  1. If you don’t water plants, they don’t grow.
  2. If you don’t study for exams, you don’t pass them.
  3. If you don’t eat, you get hungry.
  4. If you don’t exercise, you don’t feel as healthy.
  5. If you don’t sleep enough, you feel tired.
  6. If you don’t follow traffic rules, you cause an accident.
  7. If you don’t save money, you can’t afford things.
  8. If you don’t clean your house regularly, it becomes messy.
  9. If you don’t take care of your car, it may break down.
  10. If you don’t lock your doors, you risk being robbed.

Here you can read more about negative sentences in Zero Conditional and find more examples.

Zero conditional questions examples

  1. What happens if you mix oil and water?
  2. What do you do if you run out of gas on the highway?
  3. What do plants do if they don’t get enough sunlight?
  4. What happens if you touch a hot stove?
  5. What do you say if someone sneezes?
  6. What do you do if you spill something on your clothes?
  7. What happens if you don’t water your plants regularly?
  8. What do you do if you forget your password?
  9. What happens if you don’t brush your teeth regularly?
  10. What do you do if your phone battery dies while you’re out?

Here you can read more about questions in Zero Conditional and find more examples

Zero conditional scientific facts examples

  1. If you mix baking soda and vinegar, they react and create carbon dioxide gas.
  2. If you heat water to 100 degrees Celsius, it boils and turns into steam.
  3. If you combine hydrogen and oxygen, they react and create water.
  4. If you expose the metal to air and moisture, it rusts.
  5. If you shine a light on a solar cell, it generates electricity.
  6. If you mix an acid and a base, they react and create water and salt.
  7. If you apply a force to an object, it accelerates according to Newton’s second law.
  8. If you subject a living organism to radiation, it may mutate or die.
  9. If you increase the temperature of a gas, its volume increases according to Charles’s law.
  10. If you expose certain chemicals to light, they undergo a chemical reaction and change color.

Zero conditional When examples

  1. When you heat ice, it melts and turns into water.
  2. When you mix baking powder and flour, the dough rises.
  3. When you add salt to water, it lowers its freezing point.
  4. When you exercise, your heart rate increases.
  5. When you rub a balloon against your hair, it becomes statically charged.
  6. When you put food in the fridge, it stays fresh longer.
  7. When you apply sunscreen, you protect your skin from sunburn.
  8. When you eat too much sugar, your blood sugar levels rise.
  9. When you plant a seed in fertile soil, it grows into a plant.
  10. When you pour oil on water, it creates a layer on top of the water.

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Related Articles:

  • Difference Between Zero and First Conditionals with Examples
  • Zero Conditional Questions
  • Zero Conditional Negative Form
  • First Conditional Sentences With Examples
  • What are Conditionals?
50 Examples of Zero Conditional Sentences (2024)
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