Opens in a new tab
Find your level

English First Conditionals

The first conditional (if + present simple, will + base form) talks about a real, likely situation in the future and its result: If the client agrees, we will sign on Friday.

  • CEFR B1
  • 10-question quiz
  • 2 exercises

This module covers first conditionals in English, which are statements about the future that are likely to happen.

The first conditional is used to express things that are possible and likely to happen in the future. It consists of two components: an “if” clause in the present simple tense, and a future simple main clause. As a reminder, the future simple contains the auxiliary verb “will” followed by the base form of the verb.

Examples:
If it hails, I will seek shelter.
They will call if they get lost.
He will eat a snack if he gets hungry.
If the weather is good, we will go to the beach.

There are contractions used with the verb “will,” so here’s a refresher to help you recognize those forms:

Personal pronoun + ‘ + ll
– I’ll, you’ll, he’ll, she’ll, it’ll, we’ll, they’ll

Personal pronoun + will + not (negative form) + base form of the verb
– I won’t go, you won’t go, she won’t go, we won’t go, they won’t go

The first conditional differs from the zero conditional in that it is about a specific situation, whereas the zero conditional is about more general things (facts, truths, etc.).

Examples:
If you exercise daily, you feel better. (general statement)
If you exercise today, you will feel better. (specific time [“today”])

As can be seen, it is generally accepted that daily exercise can improve your health, but exercising specifically today is likely to happen and make that person feel better.

Key vocabulary

WordMeaningExample
if-clausethe part of the sentence with the condition; it uses the present simpleIf the train is late, I'll take a taxi.
result clausethe part with the future result; it uses will + base formIf you send the file today, I will review it tonight.
will / 'llfuture auxiliary; 'll is the short formIf it rains, we'll move the party inside.
won'tshort form of will notIf we don't leave now, we won't catch the train.
unlessif notWe'll start at nine unless the manager is late.
likelyprobably going to happenIt is likely that the price will go up.
conditionsomething that must happen before something else can happenThe condition for the bonus is that we reach our sales target.
zero conditionalif + present, present: for general facts, not one future situationIf you heat water to 212°F, it boils.

Practice: English First Conditionals

Work through the exercises, then test yourself with the quiz. Learn from your mistakes and try again as often as you like.

Exercises

Complete the first conditional

Write the verbs in parentheses: present simple in the if-clause, will or won't + base form in the result clause.

  1. If it ______ (rain) tomorrow, we ______ (cancel) the picnic.

    it + present simple / will

    Show answer

    rains / will cancel

  2. If you ______ (send) me the file today, I ______ (review) it tonight.

    you + present simple / will

    Show answer

    send / will review

  3. She ______ (call) you if she ______ (need) help.

    result first, then the if-clause

    Show answer

    will call / needs

  4. If we ______ (not leave) now, we ______ (miss) the train.

    negative present simple

    Show answer

    don't leave / will miss

  5. If the client ______ (agree), we ______ (sign) the contract on Friday.

    he/she/it form + -s

    Show answer

    agrees / will sign

  6. I ______ (not finish) the report if you ______ (keep) interrupting me.

    will not = won't

    Show answer

    won't finish / keep

  7. If he ______ (get) the job, he ______ (move) to Chicago.

    he + present simple / will

    Show answer

    gets / will move

  8. What ______ you ______ (do) if the flight ______ (be) delayed?

    question with will

    Show answer

    will ... do / is

Change the word order

Put the result clause first. When the if-clause comes second, do not use a comma.

  1. If you don't hurry, you will be late.

    start with You

    Show answer

    You will be late if you don't hurry.

  2. If the price goes down, we'll buy more.

    start with We'll

    Show answer

    We'll buy more if the price goes down.

  3. If I see Maria, I'll give her the message.

    start with I'll

    Show answer

    I'll give Maria the message if I see her.

  4. If it's sunny, they'll eat outside.

    start with They'll

    Show answer

    They'll eat outside if it's sunny.

Quiz: 10 questions

1. Write this first conditional sentence without a comma by changing the word order: If you don't hurry, you will be late for work.
2. Write this first conditional sentence without a comma by changing the word order: If you have an extra ticket, I will go to the show with you.
3. Which sentence is true?
4. Which statement is a first conditional?
5. Which sentence is in the first conditional?
6. The difference between the zero conditional and the first conditional is that the zero conditional describes what happens in general and the first conditional describes a ______ situation.
7. In a first conditional sentence, what punctuation do you use when the if-clause comes before the result clause?
8. Which sentence is in the first conditional?
9. Choose the correct verb form to make a first conditional sentence: If we don't protect the elephant, it ______ extinct.
10. Pick the correct verb to complete the first conditional sentence: You ______ heart disease if you eat too much meat.

Not sure which level you are?

Take a free placement test and get your CEFR level, then start with the topics that fit it.

Find your level