Learn to talk about possible future situations and their likely results. Master the "if + present simple, will + infinitive" structure.
The first conditional is used to talk about possible future situations and their likely results. It's perfect for making plans, giving warnings, and making predictions.
First conditional = If + present simple, will + base verb. Use for real, possible future situations.
Clause order
Both clause orders are correct: 'If it rains, I'll stay home.' = 'I'll stay home if it rains.' When the if-clause comes first, use a comma. When it comes second, no comma.
The first conditional describes real and possible situations in the future. We use it when we think something is likely to happen, and we want to talk about what will happen as a result.
If + present simple, will + infinitive
If clause: The possible condition
Main clause: The likely result
✓ Talks about real and possible future situations
✓ The condition is likely to happen
✓ Used for predictions, warnings, offers
✓ Essential for making plans and decisions
Use first conditional when you're talking about something that is possible or likely to happen in the future.
✓ Possible: "If it rains tomorrow, I will take an umbrella."
✓ Likely: "If you study, you will pass the test."
✓ Real: "If we leave now, we will arrive on time."
If the weather is nice on Saturday, Maria will go hiking with her friends.
If they reach the top of the mountain, they will have a picnic with sandwiches and juice.
If it rains instead, they will visit the new art museum in town.
If the museum is closed, they will watch a movie at Maria's house.
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Master the formula for creating first conditional sentences.
| Part | Structure | Example | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| If Clause | if + present simple | If it rains, | Condition |
| Main Clause | will + infinitive | I will stay home. | Result |
| Full Sentence | If + present simple, will + infinitive | If it rains, I will stay home. | Complete first conditional |
| Usage | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| Future plans & possibilities | "If I have time, I will visit you." |
| Warnings & advice | "If you don't study, you will fail." |
| Promises & offers | "If you need help, I will help you." |
| Predictions | "If it gets cold, we will turn on the heater." |
| Negotiations | "If you buy two, I will give you a discount." |
| Suggestions | "If you're tired, you should rest." |
✓ The order can be reversed: "I will stay home if it rains."
✓ Use a comma when the "if clause" comes first: "If it rains, I will stay home."
✓ No comma when the "will clause" comes first: "I will stay home if it rains."
✓ Can use other modal verbs instead of "will": "can," "may," "might," "should"
✓ Negative: "If I don't study, I won't pass the exam."
Complete the first conditional sentences:
1. If it __________ (rain), we __________ (stay) inside.
2. If you __________ (study) hard, you __________ (pass) the test.
3. If she __________ (call), I __________ (tell) her the news.
4. If they __________ (finish) early, they __________ (go) home.
1. If it rains, we will stay inside.
2. If you study hard, you will pass the test.
3. If she calls, I will tell her the news.
4. If they finish early, they will go home.
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Learn how to make positive and negative first conditional sentences.
"If + present simple, will + infinitive"
If it's sunny, we will go to the park.
If I have time, I will call you.
If you help me, I will help you.
"If + present simple, can + infinitive"
If you finish early, you can leave.
"If + present simple, might + infinitive"
If it rains, we might stay home.
"If + present simple, should + infinitive"
If you're tired, you should rest.
"If + don't/doesn't + infinitive, will + infinitive"
If you don't hurry, you will miss the bus.
If it doesn't rain, we will have a picnic.
If he doesn't study, he won't pass.
"If + present simple, won't + infinitive"
If it rains, we won't go outside.
If you're late, I won't wait.
If they don't invite us, we won't go.
"If + don't/doesn't + infinitive, won't + infinitive"
If you don't study, you won't learn.
If it doesn't stop raining, we won't go out.
If they don't call, we won't know.
"Will + subject + infinitive if + present simple?"
Will you help me if I ask?
Will she come if we invite her?
Will they wait if we're late?
"What will + subject + do if + present simple?"
What will you do if it rains?
What will she say if she finds out?
What will they eat if the restaurant is closed?
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See how the first conditional is used in different real-life situations.
"If it's sunny, we will go to the beach."
"If it rains, we will watch a movie at home."
"If it gets cold, I will wear my coat."
"If it's hot, we will go swimming."
"If the weather is nice tomorrow, we will have a picnic. But if it rains, we will stay inside and play board games."
"If I finish early, I will help you."
"If the meeting is short, we will have time for lunch."
"If I study tonight, I will be ready for the test."
"If you practice every day, you will improve quickly."
"If I finish my work by 5 PM, I will go to the gym. But if I have to work late, I will exercise at home instead."
"If you come to the party, I will introduce you to my friends."
"If they invite us, we will go to their house."
"If she's free, we will meet for coffee."
"If you need help, I will be there."
"If you're hungry, I will make you something to eat."
"If you call me, I will answer immediately."
"If you visit me next weekend, I will show you around the city. And if you like Italian food, we will go to my favorite restaurant."
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Challenge yourself with fill-in-the-blank exercises
❌ If it will rain, I will stay home.
✓ If it rains, I will stay home.
Don't use 'will' in the 'if clause' - use present simple
❌ If I have time, I call you.
✓ If I have time, I will call you.
Use 'will' in the main clause for future result
❌ I will stay home, if it rains.
✓ I will stay home if it rains.
No comma when 'if clause' comes second
❌ If you don't will study, you won't pass.
✓ If you don't study, you won't pass.
Don't use 'will' in negative 'if clause'
❌ If she will call, I tell her.
✓ If she calls, I will tell her.
Present simple in 'if clause', 'will' in main clause
❌ What you will do if it rains?
✓ What will you do if it rains?
Question word order: will + subject + verb
Master First Conditional sentence building!
Drag and drop words to form correct sentences
Learn effective strategies for mastering the first conditional.
✓ Weather decisions: If it rains, I will...
✓ Study plans: If I study, I will...
✓ Social plans: If you come, we will...
✓ Action verbs: go, stay, call, help
✓ State verbs: be, have, know, want
✓ Modal alternatives: can, might, should
✓ Think about your plans for tomorrow
✓ Make predictions about the weather
✓ Plan what you'll do in different situations
✓ Keep a first conditional journal
✓ Ask "What will you do if...?" questions
✓ Make promises to each other
✓ Give each other advice using first conditional
✓ Plan activities together
1. If I __________ (see) John, I __________ (tell) him you're looking for him.
2. What __________ you __________ (do) if you __________ (win) the lottery?
3. If they __________ (not arrive) soon, we __________ (start) without them.
4. She __________ (be) very happy if you __________ (visit) her.
1. If I see John, I will tell him you're looking for him.
2. What will you do if you win the lottery?
3. If they don't arrive soon, we will start without them.
4. She will be very happy if you visit her.
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If it rains tomorrow, I will stay at home.
If you study hard, you will pass the exam.
If we leave early, we will catch the train.
If she calls me, I will tell her the news.
If they finish work early, they will go to the cinema.
If I have enough money, I will buy a new phone.
If you don't hurry, you will miss the bus.
If he doesn't feel better, he will see a doctor.
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