grammar · neutral
If + present simple, present simple
Zero conditional used for general truths, scientific facts, rules, or instructions — both clauses use the present simple.
Examples
“If you heat water to 100°C, it boils.”
“If it rains, the ground gets wet.”
“If the alarm doesn't go off, the meeting starts on time.”
Band 8 sentence
“If governments invest in public transport and active travel, urban congestion and pollution often decrease.”
Collocations
- If + present simple
- present simple in both clauses
Common mistakes
If you heat water to 100°C, it will boil.→If you heat water to 100°C, it boils.
If people don't sleep enough, they will lose concentration.→If people don't sleep enough, they lose concentration.
Say it for a higher band
5will + base verb→6present continuous→7+If + present simple, present simple
Synonyms
general truth conditional
Easily confused
If + present simple, will + base verb
“If it rains tomorrow, we will cancel the picnic.”
Related words
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In Tenses
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