zero conditional

The zero conditional is for facts and things that are always true. Both parts take the present simple.

It says what happens every time, not one time in the future.

If or when

In the zero conditional, if and when mean almost the same: "every time".

Instructions

The second part can be an instruction (do this, don't do that).

Zero or first conditional

The zero conditional is about what always happens. The first conditional is about one possible event in the future, with will.

Common mistakes

• × If you heat ice, it will melt. (for a general fact) → If you heat ice, it melts.
• × If you mix red and blue, you got purple. → If you mix red and blue, you get purple.
• × If water freeze, it become ice. → If water freezes, it becomes ice.