First conditional
We use the 1st conditional to talk about real
situations that may happen in the future
In the First Conditional we have 2 clauses:
If clause Result clause
Simple Present Will+ base verb
If I study for my exams , I will get better grades
We can change the place of the Clauses following the tenses and doesn`t change the sense of the sentence .
Result clause If clause
Will + base verb Simple Present
I will get better grades If I study for my exams
Use the first conditional to show results or possible results of future actions. Use if
and the simple present in the main clause and will (not) and the base form of a verb
in the result clause.
If clause (present) Result clause (will)
If + + verb in present + comp. + will + verb + comp.
Neg:(don`t/doesn`t) Neg:(won`t)
e.g. If you zoom out , you`ll see all of the choices
If I make games, they won`t be boring
The If clause can come at the beginning or end of the sentence. Use a comma after the If clause when it comes
at the beginning.
e.g. If you scroll down, you`ll see more characters.
You`ll see more characters if you scroll down.
We can also use adverbs and may / might to show that we think the consequences are not certain.
e.g. If the show goes on much longer, I think I´ll probably do to bed
James might not play football on Saturday if his leg isn´t better.
Questions
Yes/No questions:
If clause Result clause
If + + verb in present + complement + Will + + base verb + complement + ?
If I beat you, will you do my homework? Yes, I will / No, I won`t
Wh- questions:
Result clause If clause
Wh- question + will + + base verb + If + + verb in present + complement + ?
What kind of games will you make if you`re a designer? Action games
First Conditional with if, when, unless, as soon as & until.
As well as if, we can use other conjunctions.
• We use when & as soon as if we are sure the condition will be met.
As soon as means ‘immediately after’
e.g. When he calms down, he’ll be easier to talk to.
I’ll tell mum as soon as I get home.
• We use until to refer to a point in time when something will change.
We often use it to mean ‘before’.
e.g. Mum won’t serve dinner until you get home.
(She won’t serve it before you get home.)
We’ll stay in here until he comes in and then shout ‘surprise’.
(We’ll only move when he comes in.)
• Unless means ‘except if’ or ‘if … not’.
e.g. She won’t do it unless you tell her to.
(She won’t do it except if you tell her.)
Unless you help us, we’ll never finish in time.
(If you don’t help us, we won’t finish in time.)
First conditional and modals.
• We often use modal verbs instead of will.
e.g. If you need a lift home, you can come with us.
If you stay here one more day, we could go on the river tour.
Sarah might not come son Saturday if her aunt comes to stay.
If you want to keep the book for one more week, you must let us know.
Imperative conditionals.
• We also use an imperative in the will part.
e.g.
If you want to transfer potos, simply drag them to where you want
them to be.
Call me if you need me.
If you’re ever back here again, don’t forget to come and see me.