Grammar · Conditionals & Wishes
Zero Conditional
If + present simple, present simple. For things that are always true. Learn it with the film Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.
Grammar › Conditionals & Wishes › Zero Conditional
The rule in one sentenceFor things that are always true, use if + present simple and then present simple: If rabbits get into the garden, they eat the vegetables.
About the film
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit is a film from 2005. Wallace is an inventor. If he sees cheese, he smiles. Gromit is his dog. He is very clever. If Gromit has a problem, he thinks. He never speaks. They run a company called Anti-Pesto. If a rabbit eats your vegetables, you call Anti-Pesto.
What does it do?
Some things happen every time. They are always true. Rabbits eat vegetables. Wallace loves cheese. Gromit does not speak. We use this pattern to say: when this happens, that happens.
The sentence has two halves. The if-part says what happens first. The result says what happens next. Both halves use the present simple.
Here are some things that are always true in the film. Read across each row:
You can put the result first. Then you do not need a comma.
If a were-rabbit comes at night, it eats the vegetables. → When a were-rabbit comes at night, it eats the vegetables.
“If” and “when” mean the same here. It happens every night. Both halves stay in the present simple.
Visual guide
Teacher Teddy’s illustrated guide to this rule is being drawn — the full swipe-through infographic will appear here soon.
How to make it
The order of the two halves
If a rabbit comes, Gromit barks.
if-part first → use a commaGromit barks if a rabbit comes.
result first → no commaDoes Gromit bark if a rabbit comes?
Does / Do + person + verb … if …?The verbs
If Wallace eats cheese, he feels good.
eats / feels — not “will feel”If Gromit doesn’t make tea, Wallace doesn’t get up.
don’t / doesn’t can go in either halfDoes the machine start when Wallace presses the button?
“when” works too — same meaningWhen to use each one
The if-part — what happens first
The result — what happens next
Words that help: which half?
Some words tell you which half you are in.
The if-part
The result
Common mistakes
❌ If a rabbit gets into the garden, it will eat the carrots.
✅ If a rabbit gets into the garden, it eats the carrots.
This is always true. Use the present simple, not “will”. “Will” is for the next lesson.
❌ If Wallace will see cheese, he smiles.
✅ If Wallace sees cheese, he smiles.
No “will” in the if-part. Use the present simple.
❌ If Gromit hear a noise, he gets up.
✅ If Gromit hears a noise, he gets up.
Gromit is “he”. He / she / it → add -s to the verb.
❌ The Bun-Vac starts, if you press the button.
✅ The Bun-Vac starts if you press the button.
The result is first here. So there is no comma.
One more thing
This part is a little harder. You can come back to it later.
“If” for rules. The result can also tell someone what to do. Use the verb with no person in front.
✅ If you see a rabbit, call Anti-Pesto. ✅ If the Bun-Vac is full, turn it off.
Practice: choose the right word
Eight questions. Choose one word. You get the answer, and why.
1. If a rabbit gets into the garden, it ___ the carrots.
Always true → present simple. Not “will”.
2. If Wallace ___ cheese, he is happy.
Wallace is “he” → sees.
3. ___ the were-rabbit comes at night, the vegetables disappear.
The if-part starts with “if”. “Will” is not in this pattern.
4. If you press the button, the Bun-Vac ___.
How a machine works → present simple.
5. Gromit makes the tea ___ Wallace gets up.
“When” works like “if” here. Same meaning.
6. If Anti-Pesto ___ a call, Gromit drives the van.
No “will” in the if-part → gets.
7. If you ask Gromit a question, he ___ speak.
Gromit is “he” → doesn’t.
8. If the vegetables ___ ready, the town has a competition.
“Vegetables” is more than one → are.
Your turn
Choose a result. Then listen to your sentence.
Every answer here is correct. Pick one you like. Say it out loud too!
Keep going
More lessons
Practise listening at your level
Hear this grammar used for real — Beginner English listening practice. Full movie reviews in slow, clear English, levelled for Beginner learners. One new episode every week, free, with a transcript. BeginnerFree playlistWatch on YouTube