The First Conditional

Quick Answer: The first conditional talks about real, possible future situations and their results. The form is if + present simple, will + base verb: "If it rains tomorrow, we will cancel the picnic." Do not use will in the if part to talk about the condition, and you can swap the clauses: "We will cancel the picnic if it rains."

Key takeaways

• Form: if + present simple, will (or 'll) + base verb.
• Use it for real possibilities, warnings, promises, threats and advice about the future.
• The present simple also follows when, as soon as, before, after, until and unless when they refer to the future.
• Put a comma after the if clause when it comes first; no comma is needed when it comes second.
• Unless means "if not", so never add another negative: "Unless you hurry", not "Unless you don't hurry".
• The main clause can use might, can, should, must or an imperative instead of will.

What is the form of the first conditional?

If clause (condition)	Main clause (result)
If + present simple	will + base verb
If you study hard,	you will pass the exam.
If it's sunny,	we'll go to the beach.
If she doesn't hurry,	she'll miss the bus.

You can put either clause first. When the if clause comes first, use a comma. When the main clause comes first, no comma is needed.

• If I see Ahmet, I'll tell him.
• I'll tell Ahmet if I see him.

When do you use the first conditional?

1. Real future possibilities.

• If the weather is good, we'll have dinner outside.
• If I get the job, I'll move to Istanbul.

2. Warnings.

• If you touch that, you'll burn yourself.
• If you don't wear a coat, you'll catch a cold.

3. Promises and offers.

• If you help me with this, I'll buy you lunch.
• I'll call you if I have any news.

4. Threats.

• If you do that again, I'll tell your mother!

5. Advice and plans.

• If you leave now, you'll get there on time.

Why is there no will after if?

In many languages, the future tense appears in both halves of the sentence. In English, the if clause uses the present simple, even though it talks about the future.

• Wrong: If it will rain, we will stay home.
• Right: If it rains, we will stay home.

The same rule applies to other time words: when, as soon as, before, after, until, unless.

One exception: will can appear after if when it means willingness or a polite request, not the future. "If you will wait a moment, I'll check" (if you are willing to wait) is correct, but it is formal and not part of the basic first conditional.

• I'll call you when I arrive. (not "when I will arrive")
• We'll start as soon as everyone is here.
• Don't leave until I come back.

Variations

The main clause does not have to use will. You can use other modals or the imperative.

Main clause	Example	Meaning
will	If you hurry, you'll catch the train.	certain result
may, might	If you hurry, you might catch the train.	possible result
can	If you finish early, you can go home.	permission, ability
should	If you feel sick, you should see a doctor.	advice
must	If you want to pass, you must study.	strong necessity
imperative	If you see Elif, say hello.	instruction
going to	If it rains, we're going to stay in.	plan

The if clause can also use the present continuous or present perfect:

• If you're going to the shop, can you get some bread?
• If you've finished your homework, you can watch TV.

Unless

Unless means "if not." It is common in the first conditional.

• Unless you hurry, you'll be late. = If you don't hurry, you'll be late.
• I won't go unless you come with me. = I won't go if you don't come with me.

Do not use another negative after unless. Wrong: "Unless you don't hurry." Right: "Unless you hurry."

What is the difference between if and when?

• If means it is possible, but not certain: "If I see her, I'll give her the book." (Maybe I will see her.)
• When means you are sure it will happen: "When I see her, I'll give her the book." (I will see her.)

First Conditional vs Zero Conditional

The zero conditional (if + present, present) is for things that are always true, like facts and rules.

• Zero: If you heat ice, it melts. (always true)
• First: If you leave the ice cream in the sun, it will melt. (one specific future situation)

First vs Second Conditional

First conditional	Second conditional
real, possible future	imaginary or unlikely
If I have time, I'll help you.	If I had time, I would help you.
(I may have time.)	(I don't have time.)

Read the full guide to the second conditional next.

What are the most common first conditional mistakes?

Mistake	Wrong	Right
Will in the if clause	If you will come, I'll cook.	If you come, I'll cook.
Present in both clauses for one future event	If it rains, we stay home tomorrow.	If it rains, we'll stay home tomorrow.
Double negative with unless	Unless it doesn't rain, we'll go.	Unless it rains, we'll go.
Missing comma after a first if clause	If you need help call me.	If you need help, call me.
Will after when	When I will finish, I'll call.	When I finish, I'll call.

A note for Turkish speakers

Turkish marks the condition with -se, -sa (yağmur yağarsa) and the result with the future or aorist (evde kalırız, evde kalacağız). English keeps the condition in the present simple, so "Yağmur yağarsa evde kalacağız" becomes "If it rains, we will stay at home", never "If it will rain".

Practice Quiz

Complete the first conditional sentences.

1. If she (study) ___, she (pass) ___ the test.
2. We (miss) ___ the train if we (not / leave) ___ now.
3. If you (eat) ___ all that cake, you (feel) ___ sick.
4. I (call) ___ you when I (get) ___ home.
5. Unless you (practice) ___, you (not / improve) ___.
6. If it (be) ___ cold tomorrow, I (wear) ___ my new coat.

Answers: 1. studies, will pass 2. will miss, don't leave 3. eat, will feel 4. will call, get 5. practice, won't improve 6. is, will wear

If you keep practicing, you will improve. That is a first conditional, and it is also true. Explore the LearnLingo B1 course to practice conditionals in real conversations.

People Also Ask

What is the structure of the first conditional?

If plus present simple, then will plus base verb. For example: If it rains, I will stay at home. The two halves can be in either order.

When do we use the first conditional?

We use it for real or likely situations in the future and their probable results. It is common for plans, warnings, promises, threats and advice.

Why can't I use will after if?

In English, the if clause uses a present tense to talk about the future. Say If you study, you will pass, not If you will study.

What is the difference between the first and second conditional?

The first conditional is for situations that are realistic and possible. The second conditional is for imaginary or unlikely situations and uses if plus past simple, would plus verb.

Related Reading

• The Second Conditional
• Will vs Going To for the Future
• Linking Words and Connectors
• All English Tenses: An Overview