ZERO CONDITIONAL – PRESENT
WHAT IS ALWAYS TRUE
IF/WHEN + PRESENT SIMPLE + PRESENT SIMPLE
The zero conditional is used to talk about actions that are always true and their results that are always true as well in the present.
If/when you freeze water, it becomes ice.
If/when I eat a lot, I am not hungry.
If/when you burst a bubble, it pops.
If/when you set a piece of paper on fire, it burns quickly.
ZERO CONDITIONAL – PAST
WHAT WAS ALWAYS TRUE
IF/WHEN + PAST SIMPLE + PAST SIMPLE
The zero conditional is used to talk about actions that were always true and their results that were always true as well in the past.
If/when I was ill, I always stayed home (instead of going to school).
If/when my mum came home from work, I always greeted her warmly.
If/when my dog fetched a stick, I always gave her a snack.
If/when my grandparents visited us, I always got a present.