First Conditional in English Grammar

First Conditional in English Grammar

English Grammar Rules, Explanation, and Examples

Fix your English Grammar

English Time Ask Elo 

First Conditional

Book a lesson with your UK English tutor Elo Kasia now from $5 per hour.

First Conditional

First Conditional in English Grammar

The first conditional in action – English grammar

Thank you, Please subscribe to this popular YouTube channel – Simple English Videos.
First Conditional in English Grammar

First Conditional in English Grammar

What is the first conditional (possible conditional) in English grammar?

Daily grammar lesson with Elo Kasia. What is the first conditional (possible conditional) in English grammar? A simple explanation with plenty of examples.

 What are conditional sentences?

1. Factual conditional (zero conditional) / Form: Present Simple — Present Simple
2. Possible conditional (first conditional) / Form: Present Simple — will + verb
3. Present unreal conditional (second conditional) / Form: Past Simple — would + verb
4. Past unreal conditional (third conditional) / Form: Past Perfect — would have +Past Participle

 What is the first conditional? When do we use the first conditional?

 Form of first conditional

• Condition clause: if/ when/ unless/ as soon as + Present Simple — Main clause: will + infinitive

(Note: even though we refer to the future, we use the Present Simple tense in the first part).

As with other conditionals, we can change the order of sentences. Also note that although we use “if” most often, we can also use “when”, “unless” ( = if not) and “as soon as.” The clauses can be negative or positive, so make sure you know the correct negative form of Present Simple (doesn’t and don’t) and will (will not=won’t).

 Have a look at these examples:

Examples of 1st conditional with “if”:

• Positive: If it is sunny tomorrow, we will go to the beach.
• Negative: If it isn’t sunny, we won’t go to the beach.
• If you take the bus, it will be cheaper.
• If you go to bed now, you won’t be tired tomorrow.
• We will be late if we don’t hurry up.
• They’ll be late if the train is delayed.
• She’ll miss the bus if she doesn’t leave soon.
• I’ll tell her if I see her.

Examples of first conditional with “when”:

• When we arrive at the station, I will take your bags.
• We will notify you when the parcel arrives.
• When you call this number, you will be connected to the operator.
• I will tell him when I see him that you want to speak to him.

Examples of first conditional with “unless”:

• “Unless” means the same as “if not”. After “unless” the verb stays in the positive form.
• Unless we hurry, we will miss the class. (not: Unless we don’t hurry…)
• He will be in trouble unless he shows up soon.
• Unless they do at least half of the exercises, they will fail the test.
• The insurance will not cover fire damage unless your house has working smoke alarms.

Examples of first conditional with “as soon as”:

• As soon as they arrive, we will set off.
• Gary will give you a call as soon as he returns from work.
• As soon as the alarm goes off, you will need to leave the room.
• They will finish writing as soon as the time is up.

• “If it rains, the roads are wet” means the same as “When it rains, the roads are wet.”

Compare these two sentences:

“Are you going out later? Perhaps. If I go out, I will send you a message.”

 

Here: If I go out=it is possible that I will go out, I am not sure yet.

 Study these examples:

• I’m going to work now. When (not if) I come back, we will play.
• I’m going to work now. If I come back early, we will go to the park together.

“When” and “as soon as” describe situations which are more likely to happen, whereas “if” and “unless” describe less likely situations.

The best way to practise the 1st conditional sentences is to think of events around us which are possible to happen. Try making sentences when one thing depends on another happening in your everyday life. For example, If the weather is nice, I will…; If it rains tomorrow, I will (I won’t) … ; If I have time next weekend, I will …; If I see him/her, I will…

Also, make sure you follow our *TT exercises to gain fluency in using the first conditional in English grammar.

Check my other articles here: All English Time Ask Elo – Learning Articles

English Grammar Test Time (TT)

Take a short first Conditional in English Grammar test now!

Want to learn more about the first Conditional in English Grammar?

Book an online lesson with your favorite UK English tutor Elo Kasia now.

Elo Kasia Community Mentor for ” English Grammar and Speaking Academy“.

Director at Eloquent Learning Online, educational institution based in the UK. www.eloquentlearning.com. Grammar Rules

First Conditional in English Grammar

First Conditional in English Grammar

Facebook Like icon and other icons are powered by Icons 8.