The First Conditional
1. Form
The main way of forming the first conditional is:
| Main clause | If clause |
| Future simple ‘will’
I will stay at home |
Present simple
if it rains tomorrow. |
| If clause | Main clause |
| Present simple
If it rains tomorrow, |
Future simple ‘will’
I will stay at home. |
2. Meaning
We use the first conditional to talk about events which we feel are possible.
If the sun shines tomorrow, I will go to the park.
She will be very happy if she hears the news.
If you play games all night, you will be tired in the morning.
3. With modal verbs
We can use the first conditional with modal verbs to add an extra meaning. The extra meaning is always related to the meaning of the modal verb.
The modal verb can be: may, might, can, could, should, ought to, must.
If you eat your sandwich, you can play with your friends.
If you want a pet, you should be more responsible.
If you can talk to him today, will you give him my regards?
4. If clause with other tenses
Depending on the meaning we want to express, we can use the following tenses in the if clause: present continuous, present perfect simple and present perfect continuous.
If you are coming to the party, you will have to wear a suit.
If she has received your letter, she will reply soon.
If Jim has been cleaning the house, he will be very tired tonight.
5. Main clause with other tenses
It is also possible to use the following tenses in the main clause: ‘be going to’, future continuous and future perfect.
If I finish work early, I am going to watch my favourite film.
She will be sleeping all night if she gets very tired.
If he goes to Botswana, he will have visited 52 countries in the world.
6. With the imperative
We can use the imperative in conditional sentences.
If you have a problem, please phone me.
However, we can replace the if word with and or or.
Affirmative sentences:
If you finish early, go home.
Finish early and go home.
Negative sentences:
If you don’t stop shouting, I’ll call the police.
Stop shouting or I’ll call the police.
7. If + should
We can use should in the if clause to make the meaning more polite or less likely to happen.
If I should see him, I will tell him the news.
If I should go to the concert, I’d better get ready now.
If you should happen to find a mobile phone, it’s mine.
Ready to test your knowledge?
Put the grammar rules above into practice with the challenge below.
