Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use the Zero Conditional to talk about things that are always true, like scientific facts or personal habits.
- Use Present Simple in both clauses for facts: 'If you heat ice, it melts.'
- Use 'When' instead of 'If' when the situation is certain to happen.
- Never use 'will' in either part of a Zero Conditional sentence.
Overview
if와 when에 그렇게 열광하는지 궁금해한 적이 있나요? 그건 그것들이 세상의 규칙에 대해 말하는 방식의 기본 요소이기 때문입니다. 제로 조건문(Zero Conditional)을 언어의 '물리학'이라고 생각해보세요.How This Grammar Works
Formation Pattern
will이나 would 같은 화려한 조동사가 필요하지 않습니다.
If + you heat ice(현재 단순), it melts(현재 단순).
When To Use It
- 과학적 사실: 이것들은 거대한 진실입니다. '빨간색과 파란색을 섞으면 보라색이 된다.' 이것은 과학입니다. 반박할 수 없죠!
- 개인적 습관: 자신의 '프로그래밍'을 설명하는 데 사용하세요. '일어나면 인스타그램을 확인한다.' 이것은 당신에게 항상 사실인 반복적인 루틴입니다.
- 지침 및 규칙: 앱 설정이나 게임 규칙을 생각해보세요. '화면을 두 번 탭하면 비디오가 일시 중지된다.' 또는 '신호등이 빨간색이 되면 멈춘다.'
- 일반적 진실: 사회에서 일반적으로 진실로 받아들여지는 것들입니다. '직업이 있으면 세금을 낸다.' (안타깝게도 이것은 매우 현실적인 이야기입니다).
Common Mistakes
- 'Will' 추가하기: 이것이 가장 흔한 실수입니다! 사람들은 종종 'If it rains, the grass will get wet'이라고 말합니다. 그것은 사실 제1 조건문(예측)입니다. 제로 조건문(일반적인 사실)의 경우 그냥 'If it rains, the grass gets wet'이라고 말하세요.
- '-s' 잊어버리기: 3인칭 단수를 기억하세요! '그가 땅콩을 먹으면(he eats), 아프게 된다(he gets sick).' 그 작은 글자들을 놓치지 마세요.
- 'If'와 'When' 혼동하기: 종종 서로 바꿔 쓸 수 있지만, 'when'은 어떤 일이 'if'보다 더 자주 일어나거나 더 확실하다는 것을 암시합니다.
- 시제 복잡하게 만들기: 'is going to'나 'would'는 필요하지 않습니다. 단순하게, 현재 시제로 유지하세요!
Contrast With Similar Patterns
- 제로 조건문: (If + 현재, 현재) = 일반적 진실/습관. '커피를 마시면 잠이 깬다.' (이것은 매번 일어나는 일입니다).
- 제1 조건문: (If + 현재, Will + 동사) = 구체적인 미래 예측. '지금 이 커피를 마시면 오늘 밤 잠이 깰 것이다.' (이것은 특정한 커피 한 잔에 대한 이야기입니다).
Quick FAQ
'if' 대신 'whenever'를 사용할 수 있나요?
물론이죠! 'Whenever'는 빈도를 조금 더 강조할 뿐입니다. '고양이를 볼 때마다 쓰다듬으려고 노력한다.'
결과에 명령형을 사용해도 되나요?
네! 지침을 줄 때 매우 흔합니다. '길을 잃으면 나에게 전화해.'
절의 순서를 바꾸면 의미가 변하나요?
아니요, 'if' 부분을 처음이나 마지막에 두어도 의미는 같습니다. 쉼표 규칙만 기억하세요!
과거에 일어났던 일에 이것을 사용할 수 있나요?
사실 아닙니다. 제로 조건문은 시간이 지나도 '일반적으로' 사실인 일들에 관한 것입니다. 과거 습관의 경우 보통 'used to'나 과거 단순 시제를 사용합니다.
Zero Conditional Structure
| Clause Type | Conjunction | Subject | Verb Tense | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Condition
|
If / When
|
I / You / We / They
|
Present Simple
|
If you heat ice
|
|
Result
|
(comma)
|
It
|
Present Simple
|
it melts
|
|
Negative Condition
|
If
|
He / She / It
|
Does not + Verb
|
If she doesn't study
|
|
Negative Result
|
(comma)
|
She
|
Does not + Verb
|
she fails
|
|
Question
|
Do / Does
|
Subject
|
Verb... if clause
|
Do you cry if you are sad?
|
Common Contractions in Zero Conditional
| Full Form | Contraction | Usage Example |
|---|---|---|
|
do not
|
don't
|
If you don't go, I don't go.
|
|
does not
|
doesn't
|
If it doesn't rain, the grass dies.
|
|
I am
|
I'm
|
If I'm late, they start without me.
|
|
it is
|
it's
|
If it's cold, I wear a coat.
|
Meanings
A sentence structure used to express general truths, scientific facts, and situations where one action always causes another.
Scientific Facts
Describing laws of nature or universal truths that never change.
“If water reaches 100 degrees, it boils.”
“If you drop an object, it falls to the ground.”
Personal Habits & Routines
Describing things you consistently do in response to a specific trigger.
“If I wake up late, I skip breakfast.”
“When I feel stressed, I go for a run.”
Instructions & Rules
Giving commands or explaining how a system works.
“If the light turns red, stop the car.”
“When the bell rings, the lesson ends.”
Reference Table
| 조건문 종류 | 구조 | 목적 | 예시 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Zero Conditional
|
If/When + Simple Present, Simple Present
|
Universal facts, general truths
|
If you freeze water, it turns to ice.
|
|
Zero Conditional (reversed)
|
Simple Present if/when Simple Present
|
Universal facts, general truths
|
Water turns to ice if you freeze it.
|
|
When (certainty)
|
When + Simple Present, Simple Present
|
Expected, regular occurrence
|
When I wake up early, I feel energized.
|
|
If (possibility/choice)
|
If + Simple Present, Simple Present
|
Condition is possible but outcome certain
|
If you eat too much, you feel sick.
|
|
Common Mistake
|
If + Simple Present, WILL + Verb
|
Future prediction (First Conditional)
|
If you heat ice, it *will* melt. (Incorrect)
|
|
Correct Form
|
If + Simple Present, Simple Present
|
Always true result
|
If you heat ice, it *melts*. (Correct)
|
격식 수준 스펙트럼
If an employee arrives after 9:00 AM, the tardiness is recorded. (Workplace policy)
If you are late for work, you get in trouble. (Workplace policy)
If you're late, the boss gets mad. (Workplace policy)
If you show up late, you're toast. (Workplace policy)
Zero Conditional: 일반적 사실
구조
- If/When + Simple Present Condition Clause
- Simple Present Result Clause
기능
- Scientific Facts e.g., Water freezes
- General Observations e.g., People get tired
- Irrefutable Truths e.g., Sun rises
If vs When
- If 일반적인 가능성, 선택
- When 규칙적인 발생, 확실성
Zero Conditional에서 If vs. When
Zero Conditional 결정 흐름도
이 진술이 보편적인 사실이거나 항상 사실인가요?
조건이 예상되거나 규칙적으로 발생하나요?
두 절 모두 단순 현재 시제인가요?
Zero Conditional 시나리오
과학적 사실
- • If you heat ice, it melts.
- • When water boils, it produces steam.
일반적인 관찰
- • If people don't eat, they get hungry.
- • When I'm tired, I make mistakes.
개인적인 사실/습관
- • If my phone battery dies, I feel disconnected.
- • When my alarm rings, I get up.
절차적 규칙
- • If you press 'undo', the last action reverses.
- • When you save, changes apply.
수준별 예문
If I am tired, I sleep.
If I am tired, I sleep.
If you heat water, it is hot.
If you heat water, it is hot.
When it rains, I stay home.
When it rains, I stay home.
If I see her, I say hello.
If I see her, I say hello.
If you don't eat, you get hungry.
If you don't eat, you get hungry.
When the sun goes down, it gets dark.
When the sun goes down, it gets dark.
If you press this button, the light turns on.
If you press this button, the light turns on.
Does it work if you plug it in?
Does it work if you plug it in?
If you mix oil and water, they don't stay together.
If you mix oil and water, they don't stay together.
When I drink coffee late at night, I can't sleep.
When I drink coffee late at night, I can't sleep.
If a customer complains, we offer a refund.
If a customer complains, we offer a refund.
Unless it rains, I walk to work every day.
Unless it rains, I walk to work every day.
If the temperature drops below zero, water freezes.
If the temperature drops below zero, water freezes.
When people exercise regularly, they feel better.
When people exercise regularly, they feel better.
If the economy slows down, unemployment usually rises.
If the economy slows down, unemployment usually rises.
If you don't have a password, you can't access the file.
If you don't have a password, you can't access the file.
If one ignores the symptoms, the condition worsens.
If one ignores the symptoms, the condition worsens.
Whenever the government raises taxes, there is public outcry.
Whenever the government raises taxes, there is public outcry.
If a contract contains an error, it is legally void.
If a contract contains an error, it is legally void.
When a species loses its habitat, it faces extinction.
When a species loses its habitat, it faces extinction.
If power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.
If power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.
When the market reaches saturation, innovation becomes the only path to growth.
When the market reaches saturation, innovation becomes the only path to growth.
If a theory fails to account for new data, it is eventually discarded.
If a theory fails to account for new data, it is eventually discarded.
Whenever the artist revisits this theme, the tone remains somber.
Whenever the artist revisits this theme, the tone remains somber.
혼동하기 쉬운
Learners use 'will' in Zero Conditional or vice versa. They think all 'if' sentences need 'will'.
Using 'if' for things that are 100% certain to happen (like the sun rising).
Learners forget that 'unless' means 'if... not'.
자주 하는 실수
If it rain, the grass get wet.
If it rains, the grass gets wet.
If I am hungry I eat.
If I am hungry, I eat.
If you heat ice, it will melt.
If you heat ice, it melts.
When I wake up, I am drinking coffee.
When I wake up, I drink coffee.
If you don't study, you will fail.
If you don't study, you fail.
Does the water boil if you heated it?
Does the water boil if you heat it?
If it is raining, I take an umbrella.
If it rains, I take an umbrella.
If you will mix red and blue, you get purple.
If you mix red and blue, you get purple.
Unless you don't eat, you stay healthy.
Unless you eat, you stay healthy.
When I am seeing him, I feel happy.
When I see him, I feel happy.
If the law will be broken, there is a penalty.
If the law is broken, there is a penalty.
Provided that it will rain, the crops grow.
Provided that it rains, the crops grow.
If one would be late, one is punished.
If one is late, one is punished.
문장 패턴
If you ___, you ___.
When it ___, I ___.
___ if you ___.
Whenever ___, ___.
Real World Usage
If the pressure increases, the volume decreases.
If the sauce gets too thick, add a splash of water.
If the red light blinks, replace the battery.
If you work on a holiday, you receive double pay.
If I'm late, just start the movie without me.
If you use the weights, put them back after.
If you don't finish your vegetables, you don't get dessert.
'항상 사실'인지 생각하기
If water reaches 0 degrees Celsius, it freezes.
'will' 조심하기
If you heat ice, it melts.(NOT
it will melt)If vs. When 미묘한 차이
vs. When the alarm rings, I wake up."전 세계적인 공감대
If you mix blue and yellow, you get green.
쉼표 위치 기억하기
If/When clause, main clause.뒤에 오면 쉼표가 없어도 돼요:
Main clause if/when clause.작은 디테일이지만 글을 더 깔끔하게 만들어요.
If it rains, the ground gets wet.
Smart Tips
Check that both verbs are in the Present Simple. If you see a 'will', delete it!
Use the 'If + Present Simple, Imperative' pattern for clarity.
Swap 'if' for 'when' to sound more natural.
Use 'whenever' instead of 'if' to emphasize that the rule applies every single time.
발음
The Comma Pause
When the 'if' clause comes first, there is a slight rising intonation at the end of the clause, followed by a brief pause.
Contraction Stress
In 'don't' or 'doesn't', the 't' is often unreleased (stopped), but the vowel is stressed to show negation.
Conditional Rise-Fall
If you heat ice ↗, it melts ↘.
The rise indicates the condition is being set; the fall indicates the certain result.
암기하기
기억법
Zero is for Zero Doubt. If it's a fact, keep the tense intact (Present + Present).
시각적 연상
Imagine a light switch. If you flip the switch (Condition), the light turns on (Result). It happens every single time, without fail.
Rhyme
If the truth is what you say, keep the 'will' far away.
Story
A scientist is in a lab. He says: 'If I mix these, it explodes.' He doesn't say 'it will explode' because he has done it 1,000 times and it's a law of nature.
Word Web
챌린지
Look around your room. Write 3 Zero Conditional sentences about how things work (e.g., 'If I press the power button, the TV turns on').
문화 노트
British speakers often use 'if' and 'when' interchangeably for habits, but may use 'should' in formal zero-like instructions (e.g., 'Should you require assistance, please ask').
Americans frequently use the Zero Conditional for 'tough love' advice or common sense rules.
In academic papers, the Zero Conditional is the standard for describing methodology and universal results, avoiding 'will' to maintain a timeless, objective tone.
The term 'Zero Conditional' was coined by grammarians in the 20th century to categorize conditional sentences by their degree of probability.
대화 시작하기
What happens if you don't drink water for a whole day?
What do you usually do when you feel stressed?
Tell me about a rule in your country. What happens if someone breaks it?
If a person wants to be successful in your field, what do they need to do every day?
일기 주제
자주 하는 실수
Test Yourself
If you don't study, you ___ your exams.
Find and fix the mistake:
When it rains, the roads will get slippery.
올바른 문장을 고르세요:
영어로 번역하세요: 'Si mezclas rojo y azul, obtienes morado.'
Answer starts with: ["I...
Score: /4
연습 문제
8 exercisesIf you ___ (mix) red and white, you ___ (get) pink.
Choose the best option:
Find and fix the mistake:
Correct the sentence:
Rewrite:
We use the Zero Conditional to talk about a specific event in the future.
A: Does this machine work? B: Yes, if you ___ the green button, it ___.
Identify the outlier:
1. If you don't water plants... / 2. If you add sugar... / 3. If you exercise...
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesWhen a baby is hungry, it often ___ (cry).
If you touch a hot stove, you will burn your hand.
다음 중 올바른 Zero Conditional 문장은 무엇인가요?
영어로 번역하세요: 'Si duermas poco, te sientes cansado.'
이 단어들을 문장으로 배열하세요:
조건과 일반적인 결과를 짝지으세요:
___ you press the 'enter' key, the command executes.
If an object is heavier, it falls faster.
어떤 문장이 올바른 Zero Conditional 진술인가요?
영어로 번역하세요: 'Wenn man lange vor dem Bildschirm sitzt, tun die Augen weh.'
Score: /10
자주 묻는 질문 (8)
Generally, no. If you use `will`, it becomes a First Conditional, which is for specific future events. Zero Conditional is for things that are *always* true.
Use `if` for things that might happen (If it rains...). Use `when` for things you are sure will happen (When the sun sets...).
Only if the `if/when` clause comes first. If it comes second (e.g., 'Ice melts if you heat it'), no comma is needed.
Yes! This is very common for instructions. For example: 'If you are lost, look at the map.'
Yes. `Unless` means 'if not'. Example: 'Plants die unless you water them' is the same as 'Plants die if you don't water them.'
It is neutral. It is used in everything from casual texting to formal scientific journals.
No. If you use the past tense, it usually becomes a Second Conditional (imaginary) or a past habit. Zero Conditional strictly uses the Present Simple.
It's called 'Zero' because there is zero doubt about the result. It is a 100% certainty.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Si + presente, presente
English is stricter about using Present Simple for general truths.
Si + présent, présent
French sometimes uses the future where English requires the present for generalities.
Wenn + Präsens, Präsens
German uses one word ('wenn') for both 'if' and 'when'.
~to (~と)
Japanese has multiple conditional forms (~tara, ~ba, ~to) while English uses one structure with different conjunctions.
Idha (إذا) + Present
Arabic verb aspects (perfective/imperfective) function differently than English tenses.
Ruguo (如果)... jiu (就)...
Lack of tense markers in Chinese makes the 'Present Simple' rule hard for learners to visualize.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
Continue With
관련 동영상
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