Understanding General Truths
General truths are facts that are always true in normal circumstances. Unlike the scientific facts we learned previously, these are everyday observations about how things typically work in the world. They describe reliable patterns and predictable outcomes in daily life.
Common Life Patterns
We use the zero conditional to describe regular patterns in daily life, such as: cause and effect in nature, human behavior patterns, social rules, and general facts about how things work.
Examples
If you don't water plants, they die.A general truth about plant care that's always valid
If people eat too much junk food, they gain weight.A general truth about health and nutrition
If you speak politely, people respond better.A general truth about human behavior and social interaction
If you press this button, the machine starts.A general truth about how a particular machine works
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Incorrect: If you will study hard, you pass exams.
✅ Correct: If you study hard, you pass exams.
Explanation: Don't use 'will' in zero conditional sentences – use present simple in both clauses
❌ Incorrect: When you're drinking cold drinks, you get brain freeze.
✅ Correct: When you drink cold drinks, you get brain freeze.
Explanation: Use simple present, not present continuous, for general truths
Tips for Success
- Think about whether the result always happens under normal circumstances
- Use this structure for describing regular patterns you observe in daily life
- Remember that both parts of the sentence use present simple tense
- You can often use 'when' or 'whenever' instead of 'if' for general truths
Learning Path Notes
Key Concepts in This Series:
- Present simple tense in both clauses
- If/when/whenever usage
- Factual relationships
- Predictable results