Zero Conditional: Rules and Regular Results
By the end: I can describe a usual result with if and the present simple.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Start here
Think of something that usually happens in your daily routine.
Read each explanation, say your answer aloud, then open the model and try again. You may write your answer if you prefer. Use invented personal details whenever you like.
Useful preparation: Existing present simple, negatives and third-person s; because and basic connectors.
Allow a first attempt before opening the model. Start: 3 minutes. Learn and You say: 18. Practice: 8. Listening: 9. Quiz and correction: 8. Speaking: 11. Recap: 3.
Choose a play button when you are ready.
A regular result
Use if + present simple, present simple to describe a rule or something that regularly happens. If I go to bed late, I feel tired the next morning. This describes a usual pattern, not one particular plan for tomorrow.
If I go to bed late, I feel tired.
If the bus is full, I walk.
Keep present-simple forms
Use the normal present-simple rules in both parts: she presses, it starts, they don’t. A negative uses don’t or doesn’t + base verb. In this game, if a player doesn’t answer, the other player gets a point.
If Eva misses the bus, she walks.
If a player doesn’t answer, the other player gets a point.
Follow only the game rules that are stated
The point goes to the answering player.
The point goes to the other player.
Either part can come first
The if part can come first or second. If I’m tired, I go home. I go home if I’m tired. Use a comma after an opening if part. For a repeated routine, when is sometimes possible too; this lesson practises if.
If I’m tired, I go home.
I go home if I’m tired.
Guided practice
Try each answer first. Check it, or open a model and its explanation.
Try the form
Compare an answer and explanation
go
Use present simple for the usual result.
Compare an answer and explanation
misses
Eva takes misses.
Compare an answer and explanation
answer
Use the base verb after doesn’t.
Compare an answer and explanation
is
Room is singular.
Build or change a sentence
Compare an answer and explanation
I stay inside if it rains.
Keep both verbs in the present simple.
Compare an answer and explanation
If the bus is full, I walk.
Put the if part first.
Compare an answer and explanation
If she is late, she calls me.
She takes calls in a positive present sentence.
Compare an answer and explanation
If he doesn’t answer, I wait.
Use answer without s after doesn’t.
Listen to a short conversation
Listen. Then open the words and read aloud. Try one part with a partner, or say both parts on your own.
Open the conversation transcript
A: What do you do if the bus is full?
B: If it’s full, I walk.
A: And if it rains?
B: If it rains, I take the next bus.
Listening checks
Read the question, play its recording, then choose an answer. You can open the transcript whenever you need it.
Listening 1
Read the transcript
If the bus is full, I walk. If it rains, I take the next bus. That’s my usual routine.
Listening 2
Read the transcript
In this game, if you answer correctly, you get a point. If you don’t answer, the other player gets a point.
Listening 3
Read the transcript
If Eva studies in the library, she turns off her phone. She does this every time.
Mastery quiz
Choose the best answer for each situation. Aim for 7 out of 8, then correct anything you missed.
Answer key with explanations
go Present simple gives the regular result.
is Eva takes is.
answer Doesn’t takes the base verb.
walks She takes walks in a positive present sentence.
I stay inside if it rains. The order changes but the relationship stays the same.
If I go to bed late, I feel tired the next morning. The sentence describes a usual connection.
If you don’t answer, you don’t get a point. Both negatives match the rule.
If the room is noisy, I study outside. Both parts are complete present-simple clauses.
This quiz checks this lesson, not your overall English level.
Make it yours
Speak first, compare a model, then say a new version. These tasks are ungraded.
Speaking task 1
Describe three invented routines using if: a full bus, a noisy room and a rainy day.
Compare a possible response
If the bus is full, I walk. If the room is noisy, I study outside. If it rains, I stay at home.
Success check: Use present simple in both parts.
This is one possible response. Try again with your own details.
Tutor follow-up: What one detail can you change?
Speaking task 2
Explain two rules for an invented classroom game. Include one negative.
Compare a possible response
If you answer correctly, you get a point. If you don’t answer, you don’t get a point.
Success check: Keep the rules internally consistent.
This is one possible response. Try again with your own details.
Tutor follow-up: What one detail can you change?
Speaking task 3
Ask a partner about two repeated situations. Then report one answer with he, she or they. On your own, invent a person.
Compare a possible response
What do you do if you’re tired? I go home. If Eva is tired, she goes home.
Success check: Adjust third-person present-simple forms where needed.
This is one possible response. Try again with your own details.
Tutor follow-up: What one detail can you change?
Recap
Listen and repeat. If I go to bed late, I feel tired. If Eva misses the bus, she walks. If I’m tired, I go home.
I can describe a usual result with if and the present simple.
- I can use the main pattern.
- I can make one sentence of my own.
- I know one thing to practise again.