Zero Conditional

0

This is a grammar lesson for ESL students with the zero conditional. If you would like a copy of this lesson to use with your classes, then you will find the download button at the bottom of this page.

Grammar Presentation

These are things that ALWAYS happen.

General truths rather than specific events.

If/when/unless +

When you

If you

Unless you

Present Form +

fly with Ryanair, you

switch on the kettle,

have a ticket, you

Present Form

pay extra to take luggage.

the water boils.

can't get in.

'Unless' means the same as 'if not'.

You will find some suggested answers for the following exercises in the download of this lesson, at the bottom of this page.

Exercise 1 (If/when)

Complete the following sentences.

  1. If you set wood on fire…………………………………………..
  2. When it’s autumn………………………………………….
  3. When the heater breaks………………………………….
  4. Flowers die if…………………………………..
  5. You put on weight if you………………………………
  6. You lose weight if you………………………………….

Exercise 2 (Imperatives)

We also use this conditional for instructions and commands.

  1. When you receive the application form,…………………………………..
  2. If you fail the exam,………………………………….
  3. If the shop has bananas,………………………………….
  4. When you receive my e-mail,………………………………
  5. If you run out of petrol,…………………………………..
  6. If you inherit lots of money,…………………………………….

Exercise 3 (Unless)

Complete the following sentences. Remember that 'unless' means the same as 'if not'.

  1. Unless you know the password,…………………………….
  2. You shouldn’t swim in the sea, unless……………………………….
  3. You can’t drive a car, unless……………………………………
  4. Unless you use an umbrella in the rain,……………………………………
  5. Take the bus unless…………………………………
  6. Unless I phone,………………………………………

Free Practice

Give the students 10 (or fewer, depending on the size of the class) blank flashcards each. Get them to write one noun on each one. Take all the cards back, mix them up, and hand out 10 flashcards back to each student.

Have a pile of your own flashcards on the table with a mix of the words ‘if, ‘when’, ‘imperative’ and ‘unless’. The students have to pick up one card from your pile, and then make a sentence in the zero conditional, using the appropriate word/grammar structure, and one word from their pile.

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