First Conditional

First Conditional

What is the first conditional?

A grammatical structure that we use to talk about an event that has a possibility to occur in the present or future is called the first conditional. It refers to a condition and its possible result.

The first conditional is a conditional sentence that consists of two clauses. It consists of a conditional clause and a main clause. They are joined by the subordinate conjunctions if or when. The relation between the two clauses is cause and effect. When a certain condition is met, there is a possibility that you will get its result or outcome.

• If John studies hard, he will get 1^st position in his class.

Look at the example. The first clause is the conditional clause. When this condition is met, there is a possibility that John will get 1^st position in his class. In other words, we can say that getting 1^st position will be the effect of John’s study.

What are the examples of the first conditional?

• If I meet her, I will discuss your problem with her.
• If we stay united, we won’t be defeated.
• I will attend her birthday party if she invites me.
• If one does not study, will he pass the test?
• If they are busy, they should not attend the party.
• You may get lost if you don’t use a hiking map.
• If she misses the train, she can go by bus.
• If he does not give time to his business, his business will be flopped.

How to Form the First Conditional?

To form the first conditional, you need to use the subordinate conjunction “if” and simple present tense in the conditional clause, and simple future tense in the result clause. “Can, may, might, and should” can also be used instead of simple future tense in the result clause. However, the most common form is

If + Simple present tense + Comma + Simple future tense

Simple present tense + If + Simple present tense

• If he passes the test, he will be qualified for an interview.
• If the principal permits, you may leave the class.
• If plan A fails, you should go for plan B.

Remember that you can use the conditional clause after the main clause. When the conditional clause is used earlier, a comma follows it.

Conditional clause + Comma + Result clause

Result clause + No comma + Conditional clause

• If he has time, he will join a karate club.
• He will join a karate club if he has time.

First Conditional with When

You can also use the subordinate conjunction “when” to introduce the first conditional. In many cases, the word “when” is interchangeable with the word “if”. In some cases, the meaning is slightly changed. “If” is used for uncertain conditions, and “when” is used for a higher degree of certainty.

• If I earn more this month, I will buy a new car.

This example means that the person may or may not earn more. It shows uncertainty. If the condition is met, the person will buy a new car.

• When I complete the article, I will upload it.

This example means the person will complete the article at some point in the future and then upload the article.  

First Conditional Questions

First conditional questions are asked about the possible events in the future that occur when certain conditions are met. The pattern of the first conditional questions is as:

If + simple present tense + Comma + Result clause (Auxiliary + Subject + Verb +………)

Or

If + simple present tense + Comma + Result clause (Wh-question word + Auxiliary + Subject + Verb +………)

• If John comes, will we go to the park?
• If they don’t follow the instructions, what will you do with them?
• If an issue arises in your office, how will you handle it?
• If I want to buy a new car, can you give me a loan for some time?

Remember that the order can be reversed when the main clause is emphasized.

• Will we go to the park if John comes?
• Can you give me a loan for some time if I want to buy a new car?

First Conditional Negatives

You can use a first conditional negative sentence to show that an event will not occur if a certain condition is met. To form the first conditional negative, we use the word “not” after the subject in the main clause. The pattern of the first conditional negatives is as:

If + simple present tense + Comma + Result clause (Subject + Auxiliary + Not + Verb +………)

• If they plan well, we won’t have any problem.
• If he comes late, we won’t go to the park.

If + simple present tense (Subject + Auxiliary + Not + Verb +………) + Comma + Result clause 

• If you don’t have a driving license, you should not drive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do we use the first conditional?

The first conditional is used to talk about events having the possibility to occur in the future or present when certain conditions are met. We use it for future possibilities, predictions, plans, intentions, suggestions, or cause and effect.

• If she starts studying, she will become the topper of her class.
• If I become a millionaire, I will help the poor.
• If you bend it further, you will break it.

What is the difference between first and zero conditional?

They are two types of conditionals and have different structures. We use the first conditional for an event that has the possibility to occur in the future or present. The zero conditional is used for general truths, scientific facts, and true situations. The first conditional involves uncertainty, and the zero conditional involves certainty. The zero conditional has simple present tense in both clauses.

First Conditional

• If you look at her, she will laugh.

Second Conditional

• If you give her money, she buys everything in the market. 

 

Related Topics:

            

            Second Conditional

            Third Conditional

            Zero Conditional