How To Use The First Conditional (With Examples) | English Grammar Lesson

If it rains, I will bring my umbrella. What is this talking about? Past present or future? Is it possible? Is it likely to happen? How many times am I talking about? Let’s find out.

 

What’s up guys? My name is Shane and this is part two of this English conditionals series.  If you haven’t seen part one, you can go and watch it right here.

 

Today we are talking about the first conditional. But before we talk about the first conditional, let’s have a quick refresher on what conditionals are. A refresher means a quick review. 

 

Sometimes we call conditionals if clauses because they talk about something that didn’t happen in the past or something that might happen in the present or in the future. Conditionals normally have two parts.

 

The first part is the if clause or the condition.

 

And the second part is the consequence. Consequence means the result of the action. So this happens here and then this happens. This is the consonance, the result of the action.

 

The four main types of conditionals are zero conditional, first conditional, second conditional and third conditional. Today we talk about the first conditional and make sure you watch until the end of the video because there will be a quiz to test your understanding. Okay, let’s get started. 

 

Structure/how to make it

If it rains, I will take an umbrella.  This is a first conditional sentence.  How do we make it? What is the structure?

 

Let’s break it in half first.

 

It rains.  It rains.  What tense is this?  It’s present simple, right? If you haven’t learned about present simple yet, you can check out this video right here. 

 

And when we have present simple, what verb do we have? We have a present tense verb, right? It rains. It runs. It eats.

 

What about I will take an umbrella? What tense is this? This is the future simple tense. 

 

The structure of future simple is very similar to present simple but with future simple we need to add a will.  I will take an umbrella. I will eat pizza.  I will go to the park.

 

So when we use the first conditional, we make it by using if plus present simple plus future simple.  If plus present simple plus future simple. 

 

But I know what you’re thinking.  You’re thinking Shane, I have seen people say I will take an umbrella if it rains.  Is this okay?  Yes it is. 

 

I will take an umbrella if it rains has the same meaning as if it rains, I will take an umbrella. So it’s up to you what you use. Both are correct. But look at the punctuation. 

 

If we have if at the start of the sentence, we need a comma after the if clause.  If it rains comma, I will take my umbrella. 

 

But if we start with the consequence, I will take my umbrella if it rains, we don’t need a comma.

 

So just remember if you start the sentence with if, then you need a comma after the if clause. 

 

Meaning

Now we know how to make the first conditional. What does it actually mean? If it rains, I will take an umbrella. Am I talking about the past, present or the future?

 

I am talking about the future.

 

How many times am I talking about? Just one.

 

Do I think this is possible? Yes.

 

Do I think it’s likely or it will probably happen? Yes I do.

 

So this is the meaning of the first conditional. We use it when we’re talking about one thing that might or probably will happen in the future and what you will do if it happens.

 

What about if it doesn’t happen? If it doesn’t rain, will you take an umbrella? No you won’t.

 

Let’s look at another example. I will pass my exam if I study. And note here we don’t use a comma because I didn’t start the sentence with the if clause.

 

How many exams am I talking about? Just one.

 

Am I saying it’s possible for me to pass my exam? Yes I am.

 

So this is the meaning of the first conditional again.

 

We use it to talk about one thing in the future that is possible or likely to happen. If I study, if I do it, then in the future, the consequence is: I pass my exam.

 

If I don’t study, will I pass my exam? No I won’t. 

 

Zero conditional vs first conditional

Now, let’s compare a zero conditional sentence to a first conditional sentence so you can understand the difference.

 

If it rains, I take an umbrella.  Zero conditional.

 

If it rains, will take an umbrella.  First conditional. 

 

With the zero conditional, are we talking about one time or something that happens always?  We are talking about something that happens always, something that happens in general. 

 

What about the second one? if it rains, I will take an umbrella.

 

Are we talking about one time or many times?  We are talking about one time. 

 

So this is the difference. Zero conditional talks about something that always happens or something in general.

 

And then the first conditional, you’re only talking about one time. 

 

Quiz

Okay we have learned about the first conditional, we’ve learned about the structure and we’ve learned about the meaning. So let’s have a little quiz to test your understanding.

 

I will show you a few words and I want you to make a first conditional sentence.

 

Number 1. I get job. I happy. I get job, happy.  And the correct answer is: if I get a job, I will be happy. Remember, we need that will because it’s a first conditional sentence and we’re only talking about one tine.

 

Question two. Wake up late, miss the bus. Wake up late, miss the bus. And the correct answer is: if I wake up late, I will miss the bus.  Remember, we need if plus present simple plus future simple.

 

Question number three.  He leaves, she sad. He leaves, she sad.  And the correct answer is: if he leaves, she will be sad. If she leaves, she will be sad.  Remember, we need a will because it’s a first conditional and we’re talking about one time. 

 

Now I am going to show you some sentences and I want you to tell me are these sentences? And why or why not?

 

Number one. If I wake up late, I miss the bus. If I wake up late, I miss the bus.  This is not a first conditional because we don’t have will. Remember, first conditional needs will. 

 

Question two. I will miss the bus if I wake up late. I will miss the bus if I wake up late.  Yes this is first conditional because we have a if clause, present simple and future simple.

 

Question three. If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.   If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.   This is not the first conditional because we don’t have present simple and we don’t have future simple.

 

 

And that is the end of the video today.  If you’re interested in more lessons like this, you can check out this video right here. 

 

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Comment some practice sentences down below with the first conditional and I will check them for you.  And if you have any questions you can also comment them down below. 

 

And if you liked the video, please hit like and share this withy your friends who are learning English so they can understand the first conditional. And for daily quizzes and for weekly posts, lessons and videos, make sure you are following my Instagram.

 

And I will see you in the next video!  Rains, I will take an umbrella.  Now we know how to make the first conditional, what does it actually ..