Welcome to your lesson on the First Conditional! If you’re learning English and want to talk about possibilities in the future, this grammar point is super useful. Don’t worry, it’s easier than you might think! We’ll explain everything step-by-step, with lots of examples to help you. Let’s get started and explore how to use the First Conditional to talk about what will happen if something else happens first.

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What is the First Conditional?

The First Conditional is used to talk about real and possible situations in the future. We use it to say what will happen if a certain condition is met. Think of it like this: “If this happens, then that will happen.” It’s all about connecting a possible future action with its likely result.

For example, imagine you are planning a picnic. You might say:

• If it rains, we will stay home.

This is a First Conditional sentence. It shows a possible situation (rain) and the likely result (staying home).

How to Form the First Conditional

The First Conditional has a specific structure. It has two parts, or clauses:

1. The ‘if’ clause: This part sets the condition. It starts with ‘if’ and uses the present simple tense.
2. The main clause: This part shows the result. It uses ‘will’ (or sometimes ‘won’t’ for negative) + the base form of the verb (infinitive without ‘to’).

Here’s the formula:
If + present simple, will + base verb

Examples of First Conditional Formation:

• If I study hard, I will pass the exam. (‘study’ is present simple, ‘will pass’ is will + base verb)
• If she drinks too much coffee, she will feel nervous. (‘drinks’ is present simple, ‘will feel’ is will + base verb)
• If they don’t hurry, they will miss the bus. (negative present simple ‘don’t hurry’, ‘will miss’ is will + base verb)
• If we go to the beach, we will swim in the sea. (‘go’ is present simple, ‘will swim’ is will + base verb)

You can also reverse the order of the clauses. When you do this, you don’t need a comma:

• I will be happy if I get good news. (No comma when ‘if’ clause comes second)
• They will be late if they don’t leave now. (No comma when ‘if’ clause comes second)

When to Use the First Conditional: Practical Uses

Now, let’s look at some common situations where you can use the First Conditional to talk about future possibilities in English.

1. Making Predictions About the Future

We often use the First Conditional to make predictions about what we think will happen in the future based on a condition.

• If the weather is good tomorrow, we will go for a walk in the park.
• If you eat too much cake, you will feel sick.
• If she practices every day, she will improve her English.

2. Making Promises and Offers

You can use the First Conditional to make promises or offers, showing what you will do if a certain condition is met.

• If you help me with my homework, I will help you with yours. (Promise)
• If you are tired, I will make you a cup of tea. (Offer)
• If you lend me your book, I will give it back to you on Monday. (Promise)

3. Giving Warnings and Advice

The First Conditional is also useful for giving warnings or advice about possible future consequences.

• If you don’t study for the test, you will fail. (Warning)
• If you drive too fast, you will have an accident. (Warning)
• If you want to improve your English, you will need to practice regularly. (Advice)

4. Talking About Plans

When discussing future plans that depend on certain conditions, the First Conditional is perfect.

• If I have enough money, I will buy a new phone.
• If they finish work early, they will go to the cinema.
• If we book the tickets now, we will get a better price.

Common Mistakes to Avoid with the First Conditional

Let’s look at some common mistakes learners make with the First Conditional so you can avoid them!

1. Using ‘will’ in the ‘if’ clause

Remember, we use the present simple in the ‘if’ clause, not ‘will’.
Incorrect: If it will rain, we will stay home.
Correct: If it rains, we will stay home.

2. Using the wrong tense in the main clause

The main clause needs ‘will + base verb’.
Incorrect: If I study hard, I pass the exam.
Correct: If I study hard, I will pass the exam.

3. Confusing with the Zero Conditional

The Zero Conditional (if + present simple, present simple) is for general truths or habits. The First Conditional is for specific future possibilities.
Zero Conditional (General Truth): If you heat water to 100 degrees Celsius, it boils.
First Conditional (Future Possibility): If you heat the water now, it will boil soon.

4. Forgetting the comma

When the ‘if’ clause comes first, remember to use a comma before the main clause.
Incorrect: If it rains we will stay home.
Correct: If it rains, we will stay home.

Let’s Practice!

Now it’s your turn to practice using the First Conditional. Fill in the blanks to complete these sentences.

1. If I ___ (go) to the shop, I ___ (buy) some milk.
2. She ___ (be) very happy if she ___ (get) a good grade.
3. If they ___ (not hurry), they ___ (miss) the train.
4. We ___ (go) to the park if the weather ___ (be) nice.
5. If you ___ (mix) blue and yellow, you ___ (get) green. (Is this First or Zero Conditional? Think about it!)

Transform these sentences into First Conditional sentences.

1. It might rain, so we will take an umbrella. -> If it _____, we _____ an umbrella.
2. Study hard, and you will pass the test. -> If you _____, you _____ the test.
3. Don’t eat too much cake, or you will feel sick. -> If you _____ too much cake, you _____ sick.
4. He might be late if he doesn’t leave now. -> If he _____ now, he _____ late.
5. I’ll call you later if I have time. -> If I _____ time, I _____ you later.

Answers to Practice Exercises

Fill in the blanks:

1. If I go to the shop, I will buy some milk.
2. She will be very happy if she gets a good grade.
3. If they don’t hurry, they will miss the train.
4. We will go to the park if the weather is nice.
5. If you mix blue and yellow, you will get green. (This one could be argued as both First and Zero, but in this context, it’s presented as a future result of a specific action, leaning towards First Conditional. For Zero Conditional, it’s more of a general scientific fact.)

Sentence Transformation:

1. It might rain, so we will take an umbrella. -> If it rains, we will take an umbrella.
2. Study hard, and you will pass the test. -> If you study hard, you will pass the test.
3. Don’t eat too much cake, or you will feel sick. -> If you eat too much cake, you will feel sick.
4. He might be late if he doesn’t leave now. -> If he doesn’t leave now, he will be late.
5. I’ll call you later if I have time. -> If I have time, I will call you later.

Congratulations! You’ve completed this lesson on the First Conditional. You now know how to form it, when to use it, and how to avoid common mistakes. Keep practicing and you’ll become a master of future possibilities in English!

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