The First Conditional
The first conditional has the present simple after 'if', then the future simple in the other clause:
If + present simple, ... will + infinitive
It's used to talk about things which might happen in the future. Of course, we can't know what will happen in
the future, but this describes possible things, which could easily come true.
• If it rains, I won't go to the park.
• If I study today, I'll go to the party tonight.
• If I have enough money, I'll buy some new shoes.
• She'll be late if the train is delayed.
• She'll miss the bus if she doesn't leave soon.
• If I see her, I'll tell her.
First vs. zero conditional
The first conditional describes a particular situation, whereas the zero conditional describes what happens in
general.
For example (zero conditional): if you sit in the sun, you get burned (here I'm talking about every time a person
sits in the sun - the burning is a natural consequence of the sitting)
But (first conditional): if you sit in the sun, you'll get burned (here I'm talking about what will happen today,
another day might be different)
First vs. second conditional
The first conditional describes things that I think are likely to happen in the future, whereas the second
conditional talks about things that I don't think will really happen. It's subjective; it depends on my point of
view.
For example (first conditional): If she studies harder, she'll pass the exam (I think it's possible she will study
harder and so she'll pass).
But (second conditional): If she studied harder, she would pass the exam (I think that she won't study harder,
or it's very unlikely, and so she won't pass).
First Conditional Exercises:
Put the verb into the correct first conditional form.
1. If I __________________ (go) out tonight, I __________________ (go) to the cinema.
2. If you __________________ (get) back late, I __________________ (be) angry.
3. If we __________________ (not / see) each other tomorrow, we __________________ (see) each other
next week.
4. If he __________________ (come), I __________________ (be) surprised.
5. If we __________________ (wait) here, we __________________ (be) late.
6. If we __________________ (go) on holiday this summer, we __________________ (go) to Spain.
7. If the weather __________________ (not / improve), we __________________ (not / have) a picnic.
8. If I __________________ (not / go) to bed early, I __________________ (be) tired tomorrow.
9. If we __________________ (eat) all this cake, we __________________ (feel) sick.
10. If you __________________ (not / want) to go out, I __________________ (cook) dinner at home.
11. I __________________ (come) early if you __________________ (want).
12. They __________________ (go) to the party if they __________________ (be) invited.
13. She __________________ (stay) in London if she __________________ (get) a job.
14. He __________________ (not / get) a better job if he __________________ (not / pass) that exam.
15. I __________________ (buy) a new dress if I __________________ (have) enough money.
16. She __________________ (cook) dinner if you __________________ (go) to the supermarket.
17. They __________________ (go) on holiday if they __________________ (have) time.
18. We __________________ (be) late if we __________________ (not / hurry).
19. She __________________ (take) a taxi if it __________________ (rain).
20. I __________________ (not / go) if you __________________ (not / come) with me.
