| Structure of zero conditional | ||
| positive | negative | question |
| If/when you heat water to 100 degrees, it boils. | If/when you don't heat water to 100 degrees, it doesn't boil. | What happens if/when you heat water to 100 degrees? |
| Zero conditional - common mistakes | ||
| Common mistakes | Correct version | Why? |
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If/when people eat too much, they get fat. Water boils when it reaches 100°C. |
We use the present simple in both clauses and it means that the condition can be true at any time (it is a fact). If means the same as when in a zero conditional sentence. |
