First Conditional Grammar

• First Conditional is used to express real or very probable situations in the future
• It describes possible consequences if a certain condition is met

Structure of First Conditional

• Basic structure: If + Present Simple, will + infinitive
• If-clause (conditional part): If + subject + verb in Present Simple
  • Example: If it rains, ...
  • Present Simple describes the condition to be met
• Main clause (main part): subject + will + base form of the verb
  • Example: ... I will stay home.
  • Will + infinitive describes the likely outcome

Usage

• To describe probable events in the future
  • Example: If I study hard, I will pass the exam
• To provide warnings or cautions
  • Example: If you don't hurry, you will miss the bus
• To express promises
  • Example: If you help me, I will help you later
• To express suggestions
  • Example: If you are tired, I will make you some coffee

Alternative ways to express a condition

• Modal verbs instead of will: can, might, should, may
  • Used to express different degrees of certainty or possibility
  • If it rains, we can stay inside (possibility)
  • If he asks me, I might say yes (low probability)
  • If you study, you should pass the test (advice)
• Unless instead of if not
  • Unless means "if not" and is used to express a negative condition
  • Unless you hurry, you will be late = If you don't hurry, you will be late
• As long as, provided that, on condition that
  • Used to emphasize the need to fulfill a condition
  • As long as you promise to be careful, I will let you borrow my car
  • Provided that the weather is good, we will go for a picnic

Word order of sentence parts

• The If-clause can be at the beginning or at the end of the sentence
  • If the if-clause is at the beginning of the sentence, a comma is placed after it
    • If you need help, call me
  • If the if-clause is at the end of the sentence, no comma is needed
    • I will call you if I need help

Features of the verb to be in If-clause

• The verb to be in Present Simple has the forms is, am, are
  • If I am late, they will be angry
  • If he is busy, I will call later
  • If they are ready, we will start

Negations in First Conditional

• Negations can be in both the if-clause and the main clause
  • If you don't study, you will not pass the exam
  • If it doesn't rain, we will go for a walk
  • I will not go if you don't come with me

Interrogative sentences in First Conditional

• Questions are formed using will in the main part of the sentence
  • What will you do if it rains?
  • Will you call me if you need help?

Typical mistakes

• Using will in the if-clause (instead of Present Simple)
  • Incorrect: If it will rain, I will stay home
  • Correct: If it rains, I will stay home
• Mixing tenses
  • It is important to stick to Present Simple in the if-clause and will + infinitive in the main clause

Examples of First Conditional

• If I win the lottery, I will travel the world
• If she studies medicine, she will become a doctor
• If we recycle, we will help the planet
• If you exercise regularly, you will stay healthy
• If they offer me the job, I will accept it

Usage variations

• Using Present Continuous in the if-clause
  • Acceptable when it comes to actions that last for a certain period of time
  • If you are still working at 10 PM, I will bring you dinner
• Using Present Perfect in the if-clause
  • Emphasizes the completion of the action by a certain point in the future
  • If you have finished your work by 5 PM, we will go out for dinner