First Conditional

1. Introduction to Conditional Sentences

Conditional sentences explain the relationship between a cause and its effect. They often talk about what happens if something occurs. In English, there are four main types:

1. Zero Conditional: Facts or general truths (e.g., “If you heat water, it boils.”)
2. First Conditional: Real future possibilities (e.g., “If I study, I’ll pass the exam.”)
3. Second Conditional: Hypothetical or unlikely situations (e.g., “If I won the lottery, I would travel.”)
4. Third Conditional: Past situations that did not happen (e.g., “If I had studied, I would have passed the exam.”)

2. Understanding the First Conditional

The first conditional is used to express real and possible future events that will happen if a certain condition is met.

A. Definition and Structure

The structure is: If + present simple, … will + base verb.

For example: “If I study, I’ll pass the exam.” This means that passing the exam is a real possibility if you study.

B. Examples of the First Conditional

1. If I study hard, I’ll pass the exam.
2. If it rains tomorrow, I’ll take an umbrella.
3. If you call me, I’ll answer.
4. If we leave early, we’ll catch the bus.
5. If he practices every day, he’ll improve his skills.
6. If she cooks tonight, we’ll have a delicious dinner.
7. If they invite me, I’ll attend the party.
8. If you work hard, you’ll get a promotion.
9. If the weather is good, we’ll go for a picnic.
10. If I get enough sleep, I’ll feel better tomorrow.

3. Usage of the First Conditional

The first conditional is used when the condition is realistic and there is a good chance the result will happen.

A. Real Future Possibilities

Use the first conditional to make predictions and discuss future events that depend on a condition.

1. If the sun shines tomorrow, we’ll go to the beach.
2. If you study, you’ll succeed in your career.
3. If I save money, I’ll travel next year.
4. If she finishes her work, she’ll join us for lunch.
5. If it snows, school will be canceled.
6. If you eat healthy, you’ll feel more energetic.
7. If he arrives on time, we’ll start the meeting promptly.
8. If the movie is interesting, we’ll watch it again.
9. If the team wins, we’ll celebrate afterward.
10. If you listen carefully, you’ll understand the lesson.

4. Forming First Conditional Sentences

A. Affirmative Sentences

Affirmative first conditional sentences use the structure: if + present simple, will + base verb.

1. If I study, I’ll pass the exam.
2. If it rains, I’ll bring an umbrella.
3. If they invite me, I’ll go to the party.
4. If you exercise, you’ll get fit.
5. If she cooks, we’ll enjoy dinner.
6. If I have free time, I’ll read a book.
7. If the store is open, I’ll buy some milk.
8. If the sun shines, we’ll visit the park.
9. If my friend calls, I’ll answer immediately.
10. If he practices, he’ll perform better.

B. Negative Sentences

To make negative sentences, add “not” (or the contraction “won’t” for will) in the main clause.

1. If I do not study, I won’t pass the exam.
2. If it does not rain, I won’t take an umbrella.
3. If they do not invite me, I won’t go to the party.
4. If you do not exercise, you won’t get fit.
5. If she does not cook, we won’t have dinner.
6. If I do not have free time, I won’t read a book.
7. If the store is not open, I won’t buy milk.
8. If the sun doesn’t shine, we won’t visit the park.
9. If my friend doesn’t call, I won’t answer the phone.
10. If he doesn’t practice, he won’t perform better.

C. Questions

To form questions, invert the subject and “will” in the main clause.

1. If I study, will I pass the exam?
2. If it rains, will you take an umbrella?
3. If they invite you, will you go to the party?
4. If you exercise, will you get fit?
5. If she cooks, will you enjoy dinner?
6. If I have free time, will I read a book?
7. If the store is open, will you buy milk?
8. If the sun shines, will we visit the park?
9. If my friend calls, will I answer immediately?
10. If he practices, will he perform better?

5. Variations and Advanced Points

A. Using “Unless”

“Unless” means “if not” and can be used in first conditional sentences to express a negative condition.

1. Unless I study, I won’t pass the exam.
2. Unless it stops raining, we won’t go out.
3. Unless they invite me, I won’t attend the party.
4. Unless you exercise, you won’t get fit.
5. Unless she cooks, we won’t have dinner.
6. Unless I have free time, I won’t read a book.
7. Unless the store is open, I won’t buy milk.
8. Unless the sun shines, we won’t visit the park.
9. Unless my friend calls, I won’t answer the phone.
10. Unless he practices, he won’t perform better.

6. Common Mistakes and Clarifications

It is important to use the correct tenses in the first conditional:

A. Tense Consistency

In the first conditional, use the present simple tense in the if-clause, not the future simple.

1. Incorrect: If I will study, I’ll pass the exam.
→ Correct: If I study, I’ll pass the exam.
2. Incorrect: If it will rain, I’ll take an umbrella.
→ Correct: If it rains, I’ll take an umbrella.
3. Incorrect: If she will finish her work, she’ll join us.
→ Correct: If she finishes her work, she’ll join us.
4. Incorrect: If they will invite me, I’ll go to the party.
→ Correct: If they invite me, I’ll go to the party.
5. Incorrect: If you will exercise, you’ll get fit.
→ Correct: If you exercise, you’ll get fit.
6. Incorrect: If I will have free time, I’ll read a book.
→ Correct: If I have free time, I’ll read a book.
7. Incorrect: If he will practice, he’ll perform better.
→ Correct: If he practices, he’ll perform better.
8. Incorrect: If it will be sunny, we’ll visit the park.
→ Correct: If it is sunny, we’ll visit the park.
9. Incorrect: If my friend will call, I’ll answer.
→ Correct: If my friend calls, I’ll answer.
10. Incorrect: If you will drive fast, you’ll get a ticket.
→ Correct: If you drive fast, you’ll get a ticket.