Zero Conditional with Imperative: instructions and commands (B1)

Your task

Fill in the gap in each sentence with the correct word or phrase.

0 / 15 answered

Your score

0 / 150%

Keep practising! Focus on the explanations below.

If you smell gas, the windows and call the emergency services immediately.

Correct answer: open

"Open" (bare imperative) is the instruction in the result clause. Zero conditionals with imperatives give direct advice or safety commands. "Will open" is wrong — imperatives, not will-futures, follow the condition in this pattern.

If the sauce is too thick, a little water.

Correct answer: add

"Add" (imperative) gives the cooking correction. The imperative works as the result clause because it is the action to be taken when the condition is met.

If you are not sure of the answer, guess — leave it blank.

Correct answer: don't

"Don't guess" is the negative imperative. "Not guess" without "don't" is ungrammatical in English imperatives.

If a fire alarm sounds, the building using the nearest emergency exit.

Correct answer: evacuate

"Evacuate" (imperative) is the safety instruction. The base form (without -s or -ing) is required for imperatives.

When you finish a chapter, a brief summary of the key points.

Correct answer: write

"Write" (imperative) is the study instruction. "When" introduces the condition, exactly as "if" would in this pattern.

If the printer shows an error message, it off and on again.

Correct answer: turn

"Turn" (imperative) is the standard IT instruction. "Turning" (gerund) cannot head an imperative clause.

If the bleeding does not stop after ten minutes, a doctor immediately.

Correct answer: see

"See" (imperative) gives the medical instruction. The zero conditional + imperative pattern is common in medical and safety leaflets.

If the ice looks thin, walk on it.

Correct answer: don't

"Don't walk" is the negative imperative warning. "Don't" + base verb is the only correct negative imperative form in English.

When you arrive at the hotel, your passport at reception.

Correct answer: show

"Show" (imperative) is the instruction. The structure is "When + present simple, + imperative" — a standard zero-conditional instruction pattern.

If the mixture looks too dry, one more tablespoon of milk.

Correct answer: add

"Add" (imperative) is the cooking correction. No "-s" or modal is used — bare imperative only.

If you finish the exam early, your answers one more time.

Correct answer: check

"Check" (imperative) is the exam advice. This is a zero conditional instruction giving guidance about what to do once a condition is met.

If you feel dizzy after taking the medication, drive or operate machinery.

Correct answer: don't

"Don't drive" (negative imperative) is the safety warning on medical packaging. "Not drive" without "don't" is ungrammatical.

When you receive the confirmation email, a screenshot for your records.

Correct answer: take

"Take" (imperative) is the practical instruction. The bare form is always used — "taking" or "takes" would be ungrammatical here.

If you are in doubt, always a professional for advice.

Correct answer: consult

"Consult" (imperative) follows "always" — which intensifies the instruction. "Always" can precede the bare imperative in zero-conditional instructions.

If there is a power cut, all electrical appliances off at the wall.

Correct answer: switch

"Switch" (imperative) gives the safety procedure. This is a zero-conditional instruction — every time the condition is true, carry out the imperative.

Please answer at least one question first.

Found an error in this exercise? Let us know.

Your task

Fill in the gap in each sentence with the correct word or phrase.

0 / 15 answered

Your score

0 / 150%

Keep practising! Focus on the explanations below.

If you smell gas, the windows and call the emergency services immediately.

Correct answer: open

If the sauce is too thick, a little water.

Correct answer: add

"Add" (imperative) gives the cooking correction. The imperative works as the result clause because it is the action to be taken when the condition is met.

If you are not sure of the answer, guess — leave it blank.

Correct answer: don't

"Don't guess" is the negative imperative. "Not guess" without "don't" is ungrammatical in English imperatives.

If a fire alarm sounds, the building using the nearest emergency exit.

Correct answer: evacuate

"Evacuate" (imperative) is the safety instruction. The base form (without -s or -ing) is required for imperatives.

When you finish a chapter, a brief summary of the key points.

Correct answer: write

"Write" (imperative) is the study instruction. "When" introduces the condition, exactly as "if" would in this pattern.

If the printer shows an error message, it off and on again.

Correct answer: turn

"Turn" (imperative) is the standard IT instruction. "Turning" (gerund) cannot head an imperative clause.

If the bleeding does not stop after ten minutes, a doctor immediately.

Correct answer: see

"See" (imperative) gives the medical instruction. The zero conditional + imperative pattern is common in medical and safety leaflets.

If the ice looks thin, walk on it.

Correct answer: don't

"Don't walk" is the negative imperative warning. "Don't" + base verb is the only correct negative imperative form in English.

When you arrive at the hotel, your passport at reception.

Correct answer: show

"Show" (imperative) is the instruction. The structure is "When + present simple, + imperative" — a standard zero-conditional instruction pattern.

If the mixture looks too dry, one more tablespoon of milk.

Correct answer: add

"Add" (imperative) is the cooking correction. No "-s" or modal is used — bare imperative only.

If you finish the exam early, your answers one more time.

Correct answer: check

"Check" (imperative) is the exam advice. This is a zero conditional instruction giving guidance about what to do once a condition is met.

If you feel dizzy after taking the medication, drive or operate machinery.

Correct answer: don't

"Don't drive" (negative imperative) is the safety warning on medical packaging. "Not drive" without "don't" is ungrammatical.

When you receive the confirmation email, a screenshot for your records.

Correct answer: take

"Take" (imperative) is the practical instruction. The bare form is always used — "taking" or "takes" would be ungrammatical here.

If you are in doubt, always a professional for advice.

Correct answer: consult

"Consult" (imperative) follows "always" — which intensifies the instruction. "Always" can precede the bare imperative in zero-conditional instructions.

If there is a power cut, all electrical appliances off at the wall.

Correct answer: switch

"Switch" (imperative) gives the safety procedure. This is a zero-conditional instruction — every time the condition is true, carry out the imperative.

Please answer at least one question first.

Found an error in this exercise? Let us know.