First Conditional
Conditionals
Conditionals are sentences that talk about a condition
(cause) and it’s result (effect).
They usually start with the word ”if”, which is the
condition or cause, and are followed by the result
clause (or effect).
There are four types of conditionals. In this course we
will only study the Zero and First Conditionals
The Zero Conditional
(condition) (result)
IF you leave ice in the sun, it melts.
Form [IF + present simple], [present simple]
Zero Conditionals are used for:
• Scientific Facts things that are generally true and DO
NOT change.
• General truths a general situation that always
happens if a condition is met.
ZERO CONDITIONAL (General Truth)
If-clause Main clause
If + present present
simple simple
Used to express something which is
always true. We can also use when
instead of if.
ZERO CONDITIONAL (General Truth)
(If-clause)
If I drink coffee at night,
I don’t sleep well.
(Main clause)
First Conditional
A. The first conditional expresses a real or probable situation in the
future.
The first conditional refers to the present and future. It expresses a
present condition and its probable result in the future.
If X happens, Y will happen
Examples:
1. If Mary comes, she will want to drive.
2. If you give me some money, I will pay you back tomorrow.
First Conditional
All conditional sentences have two parts:
Part 1 If-clause (condition)
Part 2 main clause (result clause)
When the if clause comes first, it is obligatory to write a comma (,)
after it.
• If it rains, we’ll stay home
When you start your sentence with the result clause, the comma is
NOT necessary.
• We’ll stay home if it rains.
FIRST CONDITIONAL
If I study, I will pass my exams.
PRESENT SIMPLE FUTURE SIMPLE
I will pass my exams if I study.
We use it to talk about possible situations
and their consequences in the future.
If-clause and main clause
The grammatical structure of the first conditional is:
if + present, future
In the first conditional, the verb in the if clause is the Simple Present
and the verb in the main clause is the Future Simple.
Example: If you don’t go to sleep, you’ll be very tired tomorrow.
The if-clause may have a present or a future meaning, but the verb is
always in present (NOT future)
If you are a good boy tomorrow, mom will buy you a present.
(NOT If you will be a good boy)
We can use the structure of the First Conditional to express superstitions.
Good luck or Bad luck?
IF + present simple , WILL + verb
If + present simple, WILL NOT + verb
(won’t)
If you get married on Tuesday 13, you will have bad luck.
If you get married on Tuesday 13, you can not have good luck.
Variations in the main (result clause)
A. In the main clause (result), we can also use MAY, MIGHT and CAN
as alternatives. We talk about a probable future result
• If he doesn’t train harder, he will lose the championship.
• If he doesn’t train harder, he may/might lose the championship.
• If your room is clean, you can leave.
B. In the main clause, we can also use an imperative instead of “will”
• If you arrive after midnight, you will ring me on my mobile.
• If you arrive after midnight, ring me on my mobile.
(imperative)
• If I arrive late, go to the party
(imperative)
First Conditional and variations
Remember!!!
never use the future in the if clause. Only
present forms are possible.
Examples:
1. If I go to New York again, I'll buy you a souvenir.
• Exercises with two possible structures:
Option A) If I go to New York again, I WILL buy you a souvenir.
Option B) I WILL buy you a souvenir if I go to New York again.
• With MIGHT/MAY/CAN
if I go to New York again, I MAY/MIGHT/CAN buy you a souvenir.
I MIGHT/May/CAN buy you a souvenir if I go to New York again.
* If you go to New York again, buy me a souvenir.