Example of Conditional 0

In English there are four types of conditionals that are divided according to their structure and their degree of truth. These grades are identified by the numbers 0, 1, 2, and 3.

The conditional 0 (conditional 0 in the Spanish language), it is the conditional that is used to express situations or facts that are true and that are always fulfilled, so they are universal truths. It is used to describe general or scientific facts, indicating a condition and a result, which are expressed in two sentences, the condition and the consequence.

The grammatical construction conditional 0 begins with the word If (if conditional), before a sentence in the present simple that establishes the condition, followed by another sentence also in the present simple that is the consequence that occurs for the situation raised. The sentence remains universal by reversing the order of the sentences, that is, when the consequence is written first and then the condition. It can have the structure If… then… (if… then…), although in many occasions the “then” is not used to indicate the consequent.

Structure of the conditional 0

Form 1: If + present simple (condition) + then + present simple (consequence)

Form 2: If + present simple (condition) + present simple (consequence)

Form 3: Present simple (consequence) + if + present simple (condition)

Examples of Conditional 0:

If you jump from the tenth floor you die. (If you jump from the tenth floor you die).
If you jump from the tenth floor, then you die.
You die if you jump from the tenth floor.

If you run 10 km per hour it takes you ten hours to run 100 km. (If you run at 10 km per hour it takes 10 hours to travel 100 km).
If you run 10 km per hour, then it takes you ten hours run 100 km.
It takes you ten hours run 100 km if you run 10 km per hour.

If you add two plus two the outcome is always four. (If you add two plus two the result is always four)
If you add two plus two, then the outcome is four.
The outcome is four if you add two plus two.

If the Wood burns, it becomes charcoal
If the Wood burns, then it becomes charcoal.
It becomes charcoal if the wood burns.

If there is sunlight, then it is day. (If there is sunlight, then it is day).
If there is sunlight it is day.
It is day if there is sunlight.

If you freeze water, then you get ice. (If you freeze the water, then you get ice.)
If you freeze water you get ice.
You get ice if you freeze water.

If you take a shower, then you are clean. (If you take a bath, then you are clean)
If you take a shower, you are clean.
You are clean if you take a shower.

If you eat healthy, then you are strong. (If you eat healthy, then you are strong).
If you eat healthy you are strong.
You are strong if you eat healthy.

If you study, you approve the test. (If you study, you pass the exam).
If you study, then you approve the test.
You approve the test if you study.

If you sleep well, then you rest. (If you sleep well, then you rest.)
If you sleep well, you rest.
You rest if you sleep well.