We use the zero conditional when the result of the condition is always true, like a scientific fact. It is formed as follows:
if + present simple, … present simple
The “if” in this conditional can usually be replaced by “when” without changing the meaning.
👉 If people eat too much, they get fat → When people eat too much…
👉 If you touch a fire, you get burned → When you touch a fire…
👉 People die if they don’t eat. → When they don’t eat…
👉 You get water if you mix hydrogen and oxygen → When you mix…
👉 Snakes bite if they are scared → When they are scared…
👉 If babies are hungry, they cry → When babies are hungry…
First vs. Zero Conditional
The first conditional describes a particular situation, whereas the zero conditional describes what happens in general.
👉 Zero conditional → If you sit in the sun, you get burned.
We’re talking about every time a person sits in the sun – the burning is a natural consequence of the sitting
👉 First conditional → If you sit in the sun, you will get burned.
We’re talking about what will happen today, another day might be different.