ZERO CONDITIONALS

We use zero conditionals to talk about things that are generally or always true.

The form of the zero conditional is:

IF / WHEN / UNLESS + present simple , present simple

If I throw a ball upwards, it falls back down.

When it rains and you don’t have an umbrella, you get wet.
Unless you eat you every day, you die.

Be careful with UNLESS. A possible use is with the meaning ‘IF NOT’ although a
translation into Spanish is ‘a menos que’.

Sometimes we use the imperative in the result clause instead of a present simple:

If it rains in the morning, take an umbrella.

When you go out at night, don’t forget to lock the main door.
Don’t touch the cake, unless I say you can.

As you can see in the last example, you can also change the order of the two parts of
the conditional and start with the result and then the IF/WHEN/UNLESS clause.
When we do this, we do not write a comma in the middle of the conditional.

Take an umbrella if it rains.

Don’t forget to lock the main door when you go out at night.
Pay for the coffee unless you don’t have any money.

NOW GO TO THE NEXT PAGE AND COMPLETE THE PRACTICE EXERCISE

ESTE DOCUMENTO ES PROPIEDAD INTELECTUAL DE MAXUS SERVICIOS LINGÜISTICOS S.L. CIF B-95719118.
QUEDA PROHIBIDA LA COMERCIALIZACION O USO CON FINES COMERCIALES POR PERSONAS Y COMPAÑIAS AJENAS A MAXUS SERVICIOS
LINGÜISTICOS U AQUELLAS QUE NO HAYAN PEDIDO AUTORIZACION EXPRESA PARA SU USO COMERCIAL.
 PRACTICE EXERCISE: ZERO CONDITIONALS

Match the two halves of a conditional.

If you see him, give me a call.

If you get there early, expect me at eight o’clock.
If you don’t receive it tomorrow, you save ten per cent.
When you buy online, don’t do it.
When you fly with a low-cost airline, drink plenty of water.
When you exercise, wait for me in the hall.
Unless you pay extra, tell him i want to speak to him.
Unless he is going to pay you, you have to buy your snack.
Unless I phone to say I’ll be late, you get the basic service.

Complete the following sentences with the correct form of the verb in brackets ( ).

1. When you ___________ (arrive) at Lyon, try some of the local restaurants.

2. If you __________ (go) to the party, pick me up on the way.

3. Don’t leave work unless you _____________ (finish) all the work.

4. When he _________ (come) in the morning, don’t tell him anything about it.

5. Don’t talk about things like that when we _____________ (have) lunch.

6. When I am talking on the phone, please ________________ (not make) noise.

7. If it ________ (rain), take a taxi.

8. When my husband cooks he always _____________ (burn) the food.

9. You will get sunburnt unless you _______ sunblock _____ (put on).

10. If you heat ice, it ________ (melt).

YOU CAN PRINT THIS PAGE TO DO THE EXERCISE. THE ANSWERS WILL BE GIVEN TOMORROW.
ESTE DOCUMENTO ES PROPIEDAD INTELECTUAL DE MAXUS SERVICIOS LINGÜISTICOS S.L. CIF B-95719118.
QUEDA PROHIBIDA LA COMERCIALIZACION O USO CON FINES COMERCIALES POR PERSONAS Y COMPAÑIAS AJENAS A MAXUS SERVICIOS
LINGÜISTICOS U AQUELLAS QUE NO HAYAN PEDIDO AUTORIZACION EXPRESA PARA SU USO COMERCIAL.