First Conditional

Real/likely future results: If + present, will + base verb

intermediate

When to Use

•Likely future results based on a condition: If it rains, we'll stay inside.
•Promises/threats linked to a condition: If you finish early, I'll buy you dinner.
•Warnings and advice: If you touch that, you'll get hurt.
•Instructions for specific situations: If the light is red, stop.
•Negotiations: If you lower the price, I'll take it.

How to Form

Affirmative (+)

If + present simple, will + base verb

Negative (-)

If + present simple, won't + base verb

Question (?)

What will happen if + present simple?

💡 Condition uses present simple, not future. 'Will' only in the result clause.

Examples

✓If you study, you'll pass.

✗If you will study, you will pass.

Use present in the if-clause, will in the result.

✓If it doesn't rain, we'll go hiking.

✗If it won't rain, we'll go hiking.

Don't use will after if.

✓What will you do if they cancel?

✗What do you do if they will cancel?

Result uses will; condition uses present.

Common Mistakes

💡 Practice Tips

• If-clause = present simple; result clause = will/won't + base.
• Swap clause order freely: We'll go for a walk if it stops raining.
• Don't double future (avoid will in the if-clause).
• Use contractions ('ll, won't) for natural tone.

zero-conditional second-conditional future-time-clauses 📝 conditionals-intermediate 📝 first-conditional-quiz

First Conditional

Real/likely future results: If + present, will + base verb

intermediate

When to Use

•Likely future results based on a condition: If it rains, we'll stay inside.
•Promises/threats linked to a condition: If you finish early, I'll buy you dinner.
•Warnings and advice: If you touch that, you'll get hurt.
•Instructions for specific situations: If the light is red, stop.
•Negotiations: If you lower the price, I'll take it.

How to Form

Affirmative (+)

If + present simple, will + base verb

Negative (-)

If + present simple, won't + base verb

Question (?)

What will happen if + present simple?

💡 Condition uses present simple, not future. 'Will' only in the result clause.

Examples

✓If you study, you'll pass.

✗If you will study, you will pass.

Use present in the if-clause, will in the result.

✓If it doesn't rain, we'll go hiking.

✗If it won't rain, we'll go hiking.

Don't use will after if.

✓What will you do if they cancel?

✗What do you do if they will cancel?

Result uses will; condition uses present.

Common Mistakes

💡 Practice Tips

• If-clause = present simple; result clause = will/won't + base.
• Swap clause order freely: We'll go for a walk if it stops raining.
• Don't double future (avoid will in the if-clause).
• Use contractions ('ll, won't) for natural tone.

zero-conditional second-conditional future-time-clauses 📝 conditionals-intermediate 📝 first-conditional-quiz

First Conditional

When to Use

How to Form

Examples

Common Mistakes

💡 Practice Tips

Related

First Conditional

When to Use

How to Form

Examples

Common Mistakes

💡 Practice Tips

Related

When to Use

How to Form

Examples

Common Mistakes

✗If you will come, I'll be happy.

✗If you study, you pass.

✗If it rains, we go.

💡 Practice Tips

Related

When to Use

How to Form

Examples

Common Mistakes

✗If you will come, I'll be happy.

✗If you study, you pass.

✗If it rains, we go.

💡 Practice Tips

Related