First Conditional

First Conditional: real possibility

We are talking about the future. We are thinking about a particular condition or situation in the future, and the result of this condition. There is a real possibility that this condition will happen. For example, it is morning. You are at home. You plan to play tennis this afternoon. But there are some clouds in the sky. Imagine that it rains. What will you do?

IF	condition	result
	present simple	WILL + base verb
If	it rains	I will stay at home.

Notice that we are thinking about a future condition. It is not raining yet. But the sky is cloudy and you think that it could rain. We use the present simple tense to talk about the possible future condition. We use WILL + base verb to talk about the possible future result. The important thing about the first conditional is that there is a real possibility that the condition will happen. Here are some more examples (do you remember the two basic structures: [IF condition result] and [result IF condition]?):

IF	condition	result
	present simple	WILL + base verb
If	I see Mary	I will tell her.
If	Tara is free tomorrow	he will invite her.
If	they do not pass their exam	their teacher will be sad.
If	it rains tomorrow	will you stay at home?
If	it rains tomorrow	what will you do?

 

result	IF	condition
WILL + base verb		present simple
I will tell Mary	if	I see her.
He will invite Tara	if	she is free tomorrow.
Their teacher will be sad	if	they do not pass their exam.
Will you stay at home	if	it rains tomorrow?
What will you do	if	it rains tomorrow?

 

Sometimes, we use shall, can, or may instead of will, for example: If you are good today, you can watch TV tonight.

 

Introduction

The first conditional (also called conditional type 1) is a structure used for talking about possibilities in the present or in the future. This page will explain how the first conditional is formed, and when to use it.

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1. The structure of a first conditional sentence

A first conditional sentence consists of two clauses, an "if" clause and a main clause:

if clause	main clause
If you study hard,	you will pass the test.

If the "if" clause comes first, a comma is usually used. If the "if" clause comes second, there is no need for a comma:

main clause	if clause
You will pass the test	if you study hard.

We use different verb forms in each part of a first conditional:

main clause	if clause
You will pass the test	if you study hard.

2. Using the first conditional

The first conditional is used to talk about things which are possible in the present or the future — things which may happen:

Example	Explanation
If it's sunny, we'll go to the park.	Maybe it will be sunny — that's possible.
Paula will be sad if Juan leaves.	Maybe Juan will leave — that's possible.
If you cook the supper, I'll wash the dishes.	Maybe you will cook the supper — that's possible.

When you are sure that you understand the lesson, you can continue with the exercises.

First Conditional

Expressa situações ou ações possíveis ou prováveis de acontecerem no futuro.

ESTRUTURA VERBAL DA FIRST CONDITIONAL: if + simple present + simple future

If it doesn't rain, I will go to the beach. (Se não chover, irei para praia.) If I have money, I will buy a car. (Se eu tiver dinheiro, comprarei um carro.)

He won't have money to travel if he loses his job.
(Ele não terá dinheiro para viajar se perder o emprego.)

We will travel to USA if we get a visa. (Viajaremos para os Estados Unidos se conseguirmos o visto.)

If she takes a taxi, she'll get there in time. (Se ela pegar um táxi, chegará lá a tempo.) If it is rainy, I won't go. (Se estiver chuvoso, não irei.)

If he leaves work early, he will have time to eat before class.
(Se ele sair do trabalho mais cedo, terá tempo de comer antes da aula.)

Will you go if it rains? (Você irá se chover?)

OBSERVAÇÃO: Na oração com if, não há will: If I am late, I'll phone. (NOT If I will be late, ...)

- É possível o uso do imperativo na oração principal para dar instruções, aconselhar ou ainda falar sobre possibilidades no futuro, caso a condição expressa se cumpra. A estrutura é a seguinte:

if + simple present + imperativo ou modal

Exemplos:

If you want to come with us, put on your sweater. (Se você quer vir com a gente, ponha seu blusão.)

If you like pizza, we could make one this evening. (Se você gosta de pizza, nós poderíamos fazer uma essa noite.)

Call a doctor if you feel sick. (Ligue para um médico se você se sentir mal.)

Na oração com if, pode também ocorrer um modal verb:

If you can't come, please phone. (Se você não puder vir, por favor telefone.)