Learning English

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USES OF THE ZERO CONDITIONAL 

To talk about scientific facts.

• If you heat water, it boils. 
• You get purple if you mix red and blue paint. 

To talk about general or personal truths. 

• If I don't get a good night's sleep, I can't concentrate very well the next day. 
• I feel a bit stressed out if I don't play the guitar when I get home from work. 

To talk about rules and laws.  

• If you don't buy a train ticket and get caught, you get a fine. 
• If we film videos in the wrong part of the building, they tell us to move. 

STRUCTURE

Example: If I sleep badly, I am grumpy in the morning.

Condition (if-clause): present simple 

Result (main clause): present simple 

You can change the order of the sentence and the meaning stays the same:

If I sleep badly, I am grumpy in the morning.

or

I am grumpy in the morning if I sleep badly.

To do

Practise by using the worksheet

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