The Grammaring Guide to English Grammar with Exercises

First conditional

IF + PRESENT TENSE | WILL + INFINITIVE

The first conditional describes a probable future situation. If the condition is fulfilled, the action in the main clause is likely to happen:

If we

don't leave

soon, we

will miss

the train.

If you

ask

him, he

will

probably

help

you.

In this type of conditional, the present tenses in the if-clause usually refer to future time and their use is similar to that in future time clauses. Sometimes, however, a present tense in the if-clause can refer to present time:

If you

are

hungry, you'll find some sandwiches in the fridge.

Compare the zero and the first conditionals:

If I

drink

too much, I usually

get

a hangover the following day.

(zero conditional to refer to a general situation; one action is always followed by another)

If I

drink

too much, I

will get

a hangover tomorrow.

(first conditional to refer to one specific future situation)

Quotes:

If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else. - Booker T. Washington

You will never find time for anything. If you want time, you must make it. - Charles Buxton

You will never win if you never begin. - Helen Rowland

If you do not sow in the spring, you will not reap in the autumn. - Irish proverb

If you're in a bad situation, don't worry it'll change. If you're in a good situation, don't worry it'll change. - John A. Simone, Sr.

Related topics:

Future time clauses

Present continuous in the first conditional

The present continuous can be used in the if-clause of a sentence in the first conditional to refer to a present action or a future arrangement:

If you

are looking

for Molly, you'll find her upstairs in her room.

(present action)

If you

are staying

for the weekend, we'll go to the cinema.

(future arrangement)

Related topics:

Present continuous for actions in progress at the time of speaking

Present continuous for fixed future arrangements

Present perfect in the first conditional

The present perfect in the if-clause of a sentence in the first conditional emphasises that one action depends on the completion of another:

If I

've finished

writing my paper by tonight, I'll go out with my friends.

Imperatives in the first conditional

Imperatives can be used to replace either clause of the first conditional:

If you've done the dishes, please

mop

the floor.

Tidy up

your room, and you can go out to play football with your friends.

Quotes:

If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else. - Booker T. Washington

If you don't think every day is a good day, just try missing one. - Cavett Robert

If you're in a bad situation, don't worry it'll change. If you're in a good situation, don't worry it'll change. - John A. Simone, Sr.

If you want to be happy, be. - Leo Tolstoy

If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it. - Mary Engelbreit

Modals in the first conditional

Main clause

We can use modals other than will in the main clause of a sentence in the first conditional:

If you ask George, he

may/might be

able to help you.

(possibility)

You

can/may leave

the room if you've finished the test.

(permission)

If he doesn't come soon, we

must / will have to leave

without him.

(obligation)

If you ever go to Chicago, you

should take

a boat trip on the river.

(suggestion)

If you don't watch your steps, you

are going to fall

over.

(prediction)

If-clause

We can use be going to in the if-clause to express intention:

If you

are going to speak

like that, you'll have to leave.

Should in the if-clause makes the condition less likely:

If you

should see

Kate, say hi from me.

In the if-clause, willingness can be expressed by will and refusal by won't. In this sense will and won't are always stressed in speech and cannot be contracted with the subject in writing:

If you

will take

me to the airport tomorrow, I won't have to take a taxi.

If Greg

won't answer

the phone, I'll speak to his roommate.

We can also use will in the if-clause to express a polite request. Sometimes the main clause is omitted:

If you

will wait

for a moment, I'll see if Mr Hawking is available.

If you

'll

just

fill in

this form, please.

Quotes:

You will never find time for anything. If you want time, you must make it. - Charles Buxton

Related topics:

BE GOING TO

Modals to express obligation: MUST, HAVE (GOT) TO

Modals to express permission / prohibition: CAN, COULD, MAY, MIGHT, BE ALLOWED TO, MUSTN'T, BE TO

Modals to express possibility: MAY, MIGHT, CAN, COULD

Modals to express requests: CAN, COULD, WILL, WOULD

Modals to express suggestions: SHOULD, COULD, MIGHT, SHALL

Modals to express willingness / unwillingness: WILL, WOULD