What the First Conditional Is
The first conditional talks about something that might really happen in the future, and what will happen next if it does. It has two halves: the if-clause gives the condition, and the result says what will happen.
THE IF-CLAUSEPresent simple, even about the future
The sentence is about next Sunday.
If it rains on Sunday, we'll watch a film at home.
We don't know yet if it will rain. If it does, we will stay at home.
THE RESULTwill + base verb
If you leave now, you'll catch the last bus.
Go now and you can get the last bus home.
The if-clause takes the present simple; the result usually takes will, even though the whole sentence is about the future.
TRY IT
- Question 1
"If Sam the job, he'll move to Manchester."
- Question 2
"If we hurry, we there on time."
The four forms
IF FIRST
IfS + present simple,S + will + V
If the shop is open, I'll buy some bread.
There is usually a comma at the end of the if-clause.
IF SECOND
S + will + VifS + present simple
My mum will be angry if I get home late.
Swap the halves: the meaning is the same. No comma is needed.
NEGATIVE
IfSdon't / doesn'tV,Swon'tV
If he doesn't call, I won't wait.
The if-clause uses don't or doesn't. The result uses won't (will not).
QUESTION
WhatwillSVifS + present simple?
What will you do if your phone breaks?
Only the result becomes a question; the if-clause keeps its normal order.
TRY IT
- Question 1
" "
- Question 2
"If you your homework, the teacher will be upset."
- Question 3
"What if the restaurant is full?"
When to use it
Promises and offers
If you carry the bags, I'll cook dinner.
You do one thing, and I do another.
Signal words: I'll pay · I'll help you · I'll call you
Warnings
If you run on the wet floor, you'll fall.
Saying what bad thing will happen, so the listener stops.
Signal words: you'll get hurt · you'll be late · you'll miss it
Instructions
If you see Anna, tell her I'm outside.
The result can be an imperative instead of will.
Signal words: call me · text me · tell him
If vs. When
If means it might happen, or it might not. When means you know it will happen. It just has not happened yet.
| IF | WHEN | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | not sure it will happen | sure it will happen |
| Example | If I find your keys, I'll call you. | When I get home, I'll call you. |
| Verb in that half | present simple, no will | present simple too, no will |
TRY IT
- Question 1
"I'm at work until five. I finish, I'll phone you."
- Question 2
"I'm not sure about the weather. it's sunny, we'll go to the beach."
Common mistakes
Incorrect:If she will call me, I'll tell you.
Correct:If she calls me, I'll tell you.
The if-clause takes the present simple even about the future; will belongs only in the result.
Incorrect:If you don't hurry now, you miss the train.
Correct:If you don't hurry now, you'll miss the train.
The result is about the next train, so it needs will.
Incorrect:If he come early, we will start.
Correct:If he comes early, we will start.
The if-clause is normal present simple, so the verb after he, she or it still takes -s.
Incorrect:When I will arrive, I'll text you.
Correct:When I arrive, I'll text you.
About the future, a when-clause also takes the present simple, like if.
Incorrect:If Ben is late, we won't to wait.
Correct:If Ben is late, we won't wait.
The verb after will and won't is bare, with no to.
Incorrect:What you will do if the train is full?
Correct:What will you do if the train is full?
A question puts will in front of the subject. What you will do is the order of a statement.
Quick check · 7 questions
Choose the correct word:
If my parents come to London next month, I'll show them the city.
- A. come — Correct
- B. will come
- C. came
Answer: A. come
Next month is the future, but the verb after if stays in the present simple. Will goes in the other half: I'll show them.
Choose the correct word:
If you lend me your bike, I will bring it back tonight.
- A. bring
- B. will bring — Correct
- C. brought
Answer: B. will bring
This is a promise about tonight, so the result needs will. "I bring it back tonight" does not say it is a promise about the future.
Choose the correct word:
If Tom passes the exam, his parents will be very happy.
- A. pass
- B. passes — Correct
- C. will pass
Answer: B. passes
The if-clause is normal present simple, so the verb still changes with the subject. After he, she or it, add -s or -es.
Choose the correct words:
If it doesn't stop raining, we won't play the match.
- A. won't play — Correct
- B. not play
- C. won't to play
Answer: A. won't play
Won't is short for will not, and the verb after it is bare, with no to.
Choose the correctly punctuated sentence:
If you need it, I'll lend you my umbrella.
- A. If you need it, I'll lend you my umbrella. — Correct
- B. If you need, it I'll lend you my umbrella.
- C. If, you need it I'll lend you my umbrella.
Answer: A. If you need it, I'll lend you my umbrella.
The comma sits at the end of the if-clause, just before the result. With the if-clause second (I'll lend you my umbrella if you need it) no comma is needed.
Choose the correct word order:
Where will we meet if the café is closed?
- A. Where will we meet — Correct
- B. Where we will meet
- C. Where do we will meet
Answer: A. Where will we meet
Only the result becomes a question, so will goes before we. The if-clause keeps its normal order.
Choose the correct word:
My sister's plane lands at nine. When she arrives, we'll go out for dinner.
- A. If
- B. When — Correct
Answer: B. When
The plane has a landing time, so you know she is coming. That is when. If is for something that may or may not happen.
See whether it really stuck.
Start the quiz · 12 questions
