How do we use the 1st conditional (possible conditional)? | English Grammar

English Time Ask Elo

Asked by @ Lydia Lavenza (Community Member)

How do we use the 1st conditional (possible conditional)? | English Grammar

How do we use the 1st conditional (possible conditional)? | English Grammar

English Time Ask Elo

Answered by @ Elo Kasia

Elo Kasia is the English Mentor for  ” English Grammar and Speaking Academy” ,  Join now.

How do we use the first conditional (possible conditional)? | English Time Ask Elo

Question Time: How do we use the 1st conditional (possible conditional)? English Grammar | English Time Ask Elo

  @ Lydia Lavenza, Thank you for your question

  As usual, I will try to explain the difference using simple language and plenty of examples.

How to Use the 1st Conditional | English Grammar Lesson

Thank you, youtube – Interactive English.

How do we use the 1st conditional (possible conditional)?

Conditional sentences are used to talk about events and their results and are made of a condition and result.

The four main types of conditional sentences are factual conditional, possible conditional (1st conditional), present unreal conditional (2nd conditional) and past unreal conditional (3rd conditional).

The 1st conditional, which is sometimes called the possible conditional, is used to talk about possible future events and their likely results. It is similar to 0-conditional, but here, we talk about specific situations, rather than not general ones. The events we describe are likely to happen, or we believe they are likely to happen in the (usually) near future. Of course, we don’t know the future but we guess, or predict what may happen.

We use:

Condition clause: if + 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.

Have a look at these examples:

• If it is sunny tomorrow, we will go to the beach.
• If you take the bus, it will be cheaper.
• If you go to bed now, you won’t (will not) 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.

The best way to practise is to think of events around us which are possible to happen. Try making sentences when one thing depends on another happening in you 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.

Elo Kasia is the Community Mentor for ” English Grammar and Speaking Academy“. Director at Eloquent Learning Online, educational institution based in the UK. www.eloquentlearning.com.

How do we use the first conditional (possible conditional)? | English Grammar