Zero conditional: If + present, present

Rules

• Rule 1: If + present, present

  Use the present simple in both the if part and the result. Remember -s with he / she / it.

  Pattern: If + present simple, present simple

  Example: If you mix black and white, you get gray.

  Example: If water gets very cold, it freezes.

• Rule 2: The order can change

  When the if part comes first, use a comma. When it comes second, no comma.

  Example: If you heat chocolate, it melts.

  Example: Chocolate melts if you heat it.

• Rule 3: when instead of if

  In the zero conditional, if and when mean almost the same.

  Pattern: When + present simple, present simple

  Example: When I feel cold, I wear a sweater.

  Example: When the bell rings, the lesson ends.

• Rule 4: Negatives

  For negatives use don't / doesn't + base verb.

  Example: If you don't eat, you get hungry.

  Example: If a car doesn't have gas, it doesn't go.

Common mistakes

• If you heat ice, it will melts. → If you heat ice, it melts.

  No -s after will. For general facts we use the present simple in both parts: melts.

• If you will mix red and blue, you get purple. → If you mix red and blue, you get purple.

  Never use will in the if part.

• If water get cold, it freeze. → If water gets cold, it freezes.

  water = it → -s.