Conditionals in English are sentence structures that we use to talk about results, causes, possibilities or hypothetical situations. They usually have two parts:
- Condition (if-clause) → the situation
- Result (main clause) → what happens because of that situation
How do we use and make the First Conditional in English?
Use: real or likely situations in the future (things that are possible or realistic)
Structure: If + present simple, will + base form
For example:
- If the weather is nice, we will go to the beach.
- If they arrive early, we’ll start the meeting.
- If I see her, I’ll tell her the news.
- If he doesn’t hurry, he’ll miss the train.
- If you eat now, you won’t feel hungry later.
- If Frank doesn’t study, he won’t pass the exam.
You can put the main clause first if you want. We often do this if we want to emphasise the result. When we do this, we do not usually use a comma.
For example:
- We’ll start the meeting if they arrive early.
- You won’t feel hungry later if you eat now.
Other Modal Verbs
Sometimes we can use other modal verbs (can, may, might, must, should) or “have to” instead of “will”. The sentence still needs to be about a future possibility.
For example:
- If Frank studies hard, he can pass the exam.
- They may leave if they finish early
- If it rains, we might stay home.
- You must speak to your boss if you see her today.
- If you go to New York, you should see a Broadway show.
- You have to take off your shoes if you visit the temple.
When
We can also use “when” instead of “if” in some sentences, but it means that the condition is expected or certain (not just a possibility).
For example:
- When the weather is nice, we will go to the beach.
- I will call you when I finish work.
Questions
We can use the first conditional in questions.
For example:
- If the weather is nice, will we go to the beach?
- May they leave if they finish early?
Imperatives
We can also use the first conditional in imperative sentences. In these sentences, we do not use “will”.
For example:
- If you see Ethel, tell her to call me.
- Take an umbrella if it rains.
Comparisons
The zero conditional and first conditional are similar, but not exactly the same. We use the zero conditional if something always happens or usually happens. We use the first conditional if something will likely happen on this specific occasion.
Compare:
| Zero Conditional | If I’m late, my boss gets angry. | always or usually true |
| First Conditional | If I’m late, my boss will get angry. | real possibility this time |
❗Often people use the first conditional instead of the zero conditional, even if technically the zero conditional is more correct.
For example:
- If you heat ice, it will melt.
The first and second conditional can look similar, but they are used for very different kinds of situations. The important difference is how real or likely the situation is. We use the first conditional to talk about real, possible situations in the future. We use the second conditional to talk about imaginary, hypothetical or unlikely situations now or in the future.
Compare:
| Zero Conditional | If Frank studies, he passes his exams. | always or usually true |
| First Conditional | If Franks studies, he will pass his exams. | real possibility this time |
| Second Conditional | If Frank studied, he would pass his exams. | imaginary or unlikely |
A simple way to remember it:
- First Conditional = “maybe yes”
- Second Conditional = “probably not”
Spanish and Portuguese Translations
En: If Frank studies, he will pass his exams.
Sp: Si Frank estudia, aprobará sus exámenes.
Pt: Se Frank estudar, ele passará nos exames.