If Clauses | Zero Conditional

Here we use a simple present in both clauses.

• If you give respect, you get respect.
  
• If you heat ice, it melts.
  
• If I am late, my father takes me to school.
  
• If he comes to town, we have dinner together.
  

The Zero Conditional is used to talk about situations that are always true if something happens. They are also used to talk about general truths.

In most cases, it is possible to replace a zero conditional by a time clause using when.

• When you heat ice, it melts.
  
• When I am late, my father takes me to school.
  
• When he comes to town, we have dinner together.
  
• When you give respect, you get respect.
  

Sections in this article