First Conditional Sentences
1. Use
It’s used to talk about things which the speaker thinks could easily come true in the future
2. Form
| if clause | main clause |
|---|---|
| Simple Present | will-future |
| infinitive | |
| Modal + infinitive |
3. Examples
| if clause | main clause |
|---|---|
| If I get a job, | I will earn some money. |
| If you see Susan, | tell her to call me. |
| If you are on time, | we can see the early film. |
The if-clause can be at the beginning or at the end of a sentence.
| if clause | main clause |
|---|---|
| If I get a job, | I will earn some money. |
| main clause | if clause |
|---|---|
| I will earn some money, | If I get a job. |
4. Zero Conditional and First Conditional
The zero conditional describes what happens in general whereas the first conditional describes a particular situation.
For example (zero conditional): If you touch fire, you get burned (here I’m talking about every time a person touches fire – the burning is a natural consequence of touching).
But (first conditional): If you the fire, you’ll get burned (here I’m talking about what will happen with this specific fire).
5. First Conditional and Second Conditional
The first conditional describes things that I think are likely to happen in the future, whereas the second conditional talks about things that I don’t think will really happen. It’s subjective; it depends on my point of view.
For example (first conditional): If he studies harder, he’ll pass the test (I think it’s possible he will study harder and so he’ll pass).
But (second conditional): If he studied harder, he would pass the exam (I think that he won’t study harder, or it’s very unlikely, and so he won’t pass).