Conditional type 0

》》》Conditional Sentence Type 0

Type 0 conditional sentences are still very simple and easy to understand.  This type of conditional sentence is used to say a fact by using the formula "if ... then".  For example, in Indonesian, if we say "If it rains, the grass gets wet."  It can also be expressed in English using the conditional type 0, because grass that gets wet when exposed to rain is a well-known fact.  The formula that can be used is as follows.

》》》When is the zero conditional sentence (if-clause type 0) used?

In general, we use conditional sentences for ideas or situations that depend on another. Accordingly, they are linked to a condition in which four types of conditional sentences are differentiated depending on probability or possibility. If something is always true under certain circumstances, the zero conditional sentence or if-clause type 0 is utilised in particular. Compare:

This type of conditional sentence is suitable for things that happen every time the associated condition is met, which means in the same situations. Therefore, such things are facts. Some examples of the use of the zero conditional:

“If you start the engine, you hear that strange sound.”

“If you drink a glass of milk before you go to bed, you sleep well.”

In some instances, ‘if’ can be replaced by ‘when’ or ‘whenever’:

“You call that number whenever you have a problem.”

“When he goes on a trip, he always takes a lot of pictures.”

》》》How is the zero conditional sentence (if-clause type 0) formed?

Fundamentally, a conditional sentence always consists of two clauses. One of them (the subordinate clause) usually starts with the word ‘if’ (or as mentioned above, with ‘when’ or ‘whenever’) and specifies the condition while the other one (the main clause) returns the result. It does not matter which of the two clauses begins the complex sentence; however, in case ‘if’ is at the beginning, a comma needs to be placed between both for separation. Note the following:

Rule for forming the zero conditional sentence

As this type refers neither to the future nor to the past, the simple present tense is used:

if (when/whenever) + present simple, clause with present simple

Additional examples

Mind the position of the clauses:

“If you press that button, the fuse blows.”

Here, a comma is required as the if-part starts the complex sentence.

“The fuse blows if you press that button.”

No comma is needed here as ‘if’ appears in the second part of the sentence.

Example :

 If + simple present, simple present

 Simple present + if + simple present

 Example of sentences:

●If it rains, the grass gets wet.

●The grass gets wet if it rains.

●If you heat water to 100°, it boils.

●If you eat a lot, you put on weight.

●If I’m tired, I go to bed early.

●If she sleeps late, she is sleepy at school.

●Water will boil if you heat it at 100 degrees Celsius.

●If public transport is cheap and comfortable, people stop using their cars.

●When it rains, the weather gets so fresh.

●If I don’t sleep well, I am really sleepy in the morning.

●When mother cook fish, the house always smells.

 

          This video about conditional type zero

This is video with my partner about conditional type 0