This photo is from a local neighborhood shop. To read the offer fully, it would be–if you buy 3 shirts, you get five shirts. Presto! And just like that, we have a sentence in the zero conditional.
The zero conditional is used to convey 100% certainty.
For instance, these sentences are in the zero conditional:
Condition, result
If you freeze water, it becomes ice.
When you melt ice, it becomes water.
The first part of the sentence is the condition. If that condition is met, the result is guaranteed.
In case you are itching to make more sentences in the zero conditional, use this form:
If + present simple, present simple
If you heat pure gold to 1064oCelsius, it melts.
As can be seen from these sentences above, the zero conditional is used for scientific facts.
I can hear you thinking…. This post is about melting ice and gold. What does this have to do with me?
As you now know, we use the zero conditional when talking about a result that we are a 100% sure of. So, we can use it for rules, policies, laws, and procedures. Has anyone told you this zero conditional sentence?
‘If you don’t update your password, you can’t access your account.’
Now, doesn’t that sound all too familiar? And I’m sure we have all read something along these lines–
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Yes, you have been reading zero conditional sentences for quite a while. And, the next time you spot an irresistible offer such as buy 1,get 1 free— you’ll know which conditional it is!
If you wish to know about the first conditional, click here.
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