The First Conditional is used to talk about real and possible future situations. It describes what will, can, or may happen if a certain condition is met.
When to Use the First Conditional
Use the first conditional to talk about:
- Real and possible future events.
- Likely situations that depend on a condition.
Examples:
- If she calls, I will answer.
(It’s likely she’ll call. This is a real possibility.) - If you don’t leave now, you will miss the bus.
(This is a real consequence based on a current condition.)
Structure
If + present simple, will + base verb
| Condition (if clause) | Consequence (main clause) |
|---|---|
| If it rains, | we will cancel the picnic. |
| If she doesn’t study, | she will not pass the test. |
The condition is in the present simple, even though we are talking about the future.
Variations with “will”, “can”, and “may”
| Verb | Meaning and Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| will | prediction, promise, decision | If it gets cold, I will wear a coat. |
| can | possibility or ability | If you finish early, we can go out. |
| may | polite or uncertain probability | If I have time, I may visit you. |
Note: The condition stays the same: present simple. Only the result verb changes.
Common Alternatives to “if”
You can use other conjunctions instead of “if” to sound more advanced or formal:
| Word / Phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Unless | if not | Unless you hurry, we will miss the train. |
| As long as | only if / on condition that | You can go out as long as you finish your homework. |
| Provided (that) | only if (formal) | We’ll go for a walk provided (that) it doesn’t rain. |
| When | certainty in the future | When I get home, I will call you. |
Note: “Unless” can confuse students because it’s negative in meaning.
Example: Unless he works hard = If he doesn’t work hard
Tips and Nuances
- Do not use “will” in the if-clause.
If she will come, we will go. -> If she comes, we will go. - You can invert the order of the clauses: We’ll go to the beach if it’s sunny.
If it’s sunny, we’ll go to the beach. - Modal verbs (can, may, should, must) in the main clause change the tone:
- can = possibility or ability
- may = weaker possibility
- should = advice (click here to review modals of Advice)
- must = obligation (click here for modals of Obligation and Necessity)
First Conditional Exercises
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