The zero conditional

  • B1 · Intermediate
  • Grammar lesson
  • 60 min

The zero conditional, if + present simple, present simple, for facts and things that always happen: If the leaves turn yellow, you're watering it too much. From a care card for a rattlesnake plant to explaining how things really work at your job, school or gym.

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Free, no card needed. The PDF has every slide, the homework and an answer key.

If you heat ice,it melts.when

What's in the lesson

  1. 1Warm-up
  2. 2In this lesson
  3. 3Reading: a plant care cardReading comprehension
  4. 4What does it mean?Grammar exercise
  5. 5Find the conditionsGrammar exercise
  6. 6The zero conditionalGrammar rule
  7. 7Facts: match the halvesGrammar exercise
  8. 8Plant problemsGrammar exercise
  9. 9Find the mistakeGrammar exercise
  10. 10Questions for your teacherGrammar exercise
  11. 11Say it naturallySpeaking practice
  12. 12How things work hereSpeaking practice
  13. 13About youGrammar exercise
  14. 14Wrap-up

Homework

  1. 1Homework: life with a two-year-oldGrammar exercise
  2. 2Homework: choose the right formGrammar exercise
  3. 3Homework: build the sentencesGrammar exercise
  4. 4Homework: a care cardDiscussion

Two slides from the lesson

Warm-up

Some questions about you before we start.

  1. Do you have any plants at home? Are they easy to keep alive?
  2. What happens to your mood if it rains for several days?
  3. Who in your family is good with plants or animals?

Grammar rule

The zero conditional

if / when + present simple, present simple

For things that are always or generally true: facts, rules of nature, what a sign means, habits.

The conditionThe result
If the printer runs out of ink,the pages come out pale.
When my aunt cooks,the whole kitchen smells like garlic.
If you don't pay a parking ticket on time,the fine gets bigger.
  • Questions: What happens if you miss your stop on the subway?
  • if = every time, so we can often say when instead: When my aunt cooks… / If my aunt cooks…
  • Either part can come first. A comma only when the if part comes first: If the printer runs out of ink, the pages come out pale. · The pages come out pale if the printer runs out of ink.
  • In instructions, the result can be an order (the imperative): If you smell smoke, call 911.
  • To say what a sign means now, the result can be in the present continuous: If your dog brings you its leash, it's asking for a walk.

Watch out

  • No will in the if part: If it will rain, the market closes early → If it rains, the market closes early.
  • -s with he, she, it in both parts: If the oven gets too hot, the alarm goes off.
  • Always true or one future situation? If you sit in the sun, you get a tan. (always) · If my sister calls tonight, I'll tell her the news. (one situation: the first conditional)

Teach it live with video and a whiteboard, or print it: the PDF has every slide, the homework and the answers.

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