First conditional: when and how to use
How to form the first conditional
| Structure of the first conditional | ||
| positive | negative | question |
| If you hurry, you'll catch the bus. | If you walk slowly, you won't catch the bus. If you don't hurry, you'll miss the bus. |
What will you do if the train is full tomorrow? |
| you'll = you will | won't = will not don't = do not |
what you will |
When to use the first conditional
We use the first conditional to express a possible condition and its result in the future:
| [possible condition] | [result] |
| If you study hard, . . . | you’ll pass your exams. |
| If I find his number, . . . | I’ll call him. |
| The first conditional – common mistakes | ||
| Common mistakes | Correct version | Why? |
| if you will go | If you go to England, you will improve your English. | We use the present simple in the if-clause. |
| if I will see him | I'll tell him if I see him. | We use the present simple in the if-clause. |
| I call him | If I find his number, I will call him. | We use will in the main clause, to express certainty in the future. |
Practice exercises
Intermediate level: First conditional exercise >>
Intermediate level: First vs. second conditional exercise >>