UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL DE CHIMBORAZO

FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS DE LA EDUCACIÓN HUMANAS Y TECNOLOGÍAS

LANGUAGE SCHOOL

GRAMMAR VII

“ZERO CONDITIONAL”

GROUP MEMBERS:

ALISON VARELA

MÓNICA NATALIA NARVÁEZ

JAIME TAPIA

8TH SEMESTER “B”

THEME 1: Introduction to conditional sentences

Conditional sentences are usually made up of two parts, a conditional clause and a main clause.

The conditional clause is the 'if' part of the sentence and the main clause is the result, what

happens.

Furthermore, a conditional sentence is a sentence structure commonly used in English to talk

about something (a result) that may happen ONLY IF something else happens first (a condition).

The condition may be something real or unreal/hypothetical, and the result could a definite result,

or just a possible/likely result.

The most common type of conditional sentence uses if. These are the easiest conditional

sentences to form and understand. You could also use unless, when, after, before or as soon as.

Here, we will focus on using conditional sentences with if.

The two clauses can come in any order. In written English if the conditional clause comes first, you

put a comma between it and the main clause. You don't use a comma if the main clause comes

first.

Then there are 2 parts to a conditional sentence. These two parts are also called clauses.

[A clause is any part of a sentence with a subject and a verb.]

Part 1 – the if or condition clause: the event that needs to occur; also called the

dependent clause because it is not a complete sentence and is dependent on the 2nd part of the

sentence.

Part 2 – the result or main clause, or what happens when the event in the if/condition

clause occurs; also called the independent clause.

Either part can come first:

If I eat too much, I get sick.

[When the ‘if’ part comes first, the two parts are separated with a comma ( , )]

I get sick if I eat too much.

Changing the order of the clauses does not change the meaning; the two sentences above mean

exactly the same thing.

There are 4 types of conditional sentences in English:

0 (zero) conditional – real/factual conditional

If I eat too much, I get sick.

1st (first) conditional – future possible/real conditional

If I eat too much, I will get fat.

2nd (second) conditional – present unreal/hypothetical conditional

If I were fat, I wouldn’t be able to dance very well.

3rd (third) conditional – past unreal conditional

If I hadn’t eaten so much, I wouldn’t have gotten so fat.

Conditionals are structures which we use when talking about possible actions and their

results.

The zero conditional is a form which expresses what always happens if or when a certain

action takes place.

Furthermore, the zero conditional is a structure used for talking about general truths —

things which always happen under certain conditions.

For example:

If water reaches 100 degrees, it boils.

(It is always true; there can't be a different result sometimes).

If I eat peanuts, I am sick.

(This is true only for me, maybe, not for everyone, but it's still true that I'm sick

every time I eat peanuts)

Notice that we are thinking about a result that is always true for this condition. The result of

the condition is an absolute certainty. We are not thinking about the future or the past, or

even the present. We are thinking about a simple fact. We use the Present Simple tense to

talk about the condition. We also use the Present Simple tense to talk about the result. The

important thing about the zero conditional is that the condition always has the same result.

THEME 2: Zero conditional structures

There are other ways of forming a zero conditional sentence but this is the basic structure :

CONDITIONAL CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE If / when present simple present simple

A zero conditional sentence consists of two clauses, an “if” clause and a main clause .

(In most zero conditional sentences you can use when or if and the meaning will stay the same.)

“if” clause main clause

If you heat water to 100 degrees, it boils.

If the “if” clause comes first, a comma is usually used. If the “if” clause comes second,

there is no need for a comma:

main clause “if” clause

Water boils if you heat it to 100 degrees,

The zero conditional can also use when and must be followed by the simple present or

imperative.

“when” clause main clause

When it rains, tennis lessons are held in the gym.

(It is important to remember that this condition is not realated to the past, present or future - it

only applies to things which are ALWAYS true).

The zero conditional – common mistakes

Common mistakes Correct version Why?

If people eat too much,

they will get fat.

If people eat too much,

they get fat.

We use the present simple in both clauses

of a zero conditional. We are saying that

the condition is always true.

“if” negative clause main clause

If you do not exercise, you gain weight.

If you exercise, you do not gain weight.

If I don’t study, I don’t do well on tests

“if” clause questions main clause If you have to work, when do you wake up?

Does ice melt if you heat it?

When do you wake up if you have to work?

THEME 3: Zero conditional uses

1. We use to talk about rules for example:

If you take your cell phone into class, it must be turned off.

If you drink alcohol, don’t drive.

Do not use a calculator when you write the test.

2. We use to talk about Scientific Facts and General Truths for example:

If you heat water to 100 degrees Celsius, it boils.

If you drop something, it falls.

When you combine oil and water, they do not mix.

3. We use to talk about Cause and Effect for example:

If you push the button, the volume increases.

If you close the door, it locks automatically.

The computer turns off when you disconnect the battery.

4. We use to talk about Routine for example:

I wear my boots when I work.

She uses glasses when she drives.

When I cook, I use olive oil.

5. To express negatives statements. Notice that 'unless' means the same as 'if not' for example:

Unless he asks you to continue, stop all work on the project.

Unless interest rates are rising, it's not a good investment.

Unless you've been to Tokyo yourself, you don't really understand how fantastic it is.

6. To give instructions, using the imperative in the main clause for example:

If Bill phones, tell him to meet me at the cinema.

Ask Pete if you're not sure what to do.

If you want to come, call me before 5:00.

THEME 4: Alternatives to If

1. Unless We sometimes use unless instead of if... not in the sense of except if, especially if we are talking about present circumstances and conditions. The second sentence you have

quoted, Eveline, is a very good example of unless used correctly:

The poor man won’t be able to buy a new car unless he wins the lottery. He won’t be able to pay all the tax he owes unless he robs a bank.

Unless is well used here because it highlights an exception to what is generally true. It

works very well in the following examples too when the focus is on exceptions to the

general rule.

Compare the following and note the contrastive differences in meaning between if and unless:

a) Don’t phone me if you get into trouble!

b) Don’t phone me unless you get into trouble.

In the first, I am saying that I want nothing more to do with you, that I am disowning you. Don’t

phone me under any circumstances. In the second, I am saying that you can phone me if you want

to, but only if you get into trouble.

2. As long as / provided / on condition that / only if

We can use these alternatives to if if we want to emphasize the conditions surrounding the

action, i.e. one thing will happen only if another thing happens. We can also use so long as and

providing (that) as alternatives to as long as and provided (that). On condition that is formally

very explicit. Provided / providing are more formal than as long as / so long as.

Compare the following:

a) We will lend you the money on condition that it is repaid within 12 months.

b) We will lend you the money provided (that) you can repay it within 12 months.

c) I don’t mind talking to the press, but only if my identity is protected.

d) You can have the day off today providing you agree to work a double shift tomorrow.

e) You can borrow my DVD player as long as you return it on Monday.

3. Whether In indirect speech, we can use if or whether to introduce reported yes/no questions: Can you feed the cat for me while I’m away? - She wanted to know whether I could feed

the cat for her while she was away.

Do you have any free time on Sunday? - I’m not sure if I’ll have any free time on Sunday.

When there is a choice of two possibilities, particularly in a two-part question with or, we normally use whether: Let me know whether you can come or not. I asked him whether he wanted to stay in a hotel or a B&B. Whether (or not) he’ll be fully fit when the new football season kicks off, we don’t yet know.

Compare the following conditional use with whether:

I’ll come with you to the hospital, if you want me to. I’m coming with you to the hospital, whether you want me to or not.

a) In the first, where your friend is talking, there are a number of possibilities:

you can go alone, go with a friend, go with your mother, etc, so if is used.

b) In the second, where your mother is talking, there are only two possibilities: you

either want her with you or not, so whether is used.