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6.1.1: Real Conditional

  • Page ID
    274392
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           Form of the First Conditional

         If

    Subject

    simple present (condition)

    Subject

    will

    base form (result)

     

     

     

     

    If

    I

    you

    we

    they

    come to the party

    don't come to the party

    I

    you

    we

    they

     

     

     

     

    will

    won't

     

     

     

     

    make a cake.

    (result)

    he

    she

    it

    comes to the party

    doesn't come to the party

    he

    she

    it

     

    If

    Subject

    simple present (condition)

    Question Word

    Will

    Subject

    base form (result)

     

     

     

    If

    I

    you

    we

    they

     

     

    fall

     

     

     

    what

     

     

     

    will

     

    I

    you

    we

    they

    he

    she

    it

     

     

     

    do?

    (result)

    he

    she

    it

     

    falls

    Uses of the First (Future Real) Conditional

    We use the first conditional to express a possible condition and its probable result in the future. In a sentence structure, the 'if' clause describes the condition or requirements needed to make a future event or consequence occur.

    Possibilities

    We use the first conditional to describe possible outcomes if an action does/does not take place.

    If I can't remember, I'll improvise!
    If you don't wear a sun hat, you may get sunburned.
    If I save my money, I will buy a car.
    My sister will be sad if I miss her recital.
    If it is sunny, we will go to the park.
    You will struggle in the exam if you don't study.

    Future events

    We use the first conditional to forecast outcomes based on a possible action taking place.

    If you go to the store, please buy some apples.
    If you meet Sally, let her know I am running late.
    If you pack your swimsuit, we can go to the beach.

    Consequences

    We use the first conditional to describe a certain outcome if a prior action takes place. 

    If you tell him that, he will not believe you.
    If you don't finish lunch, you won't get ice cream later.
    I will not be your friend if you are mean,
    You'll get sick if you eat too much!

    First conditional: be careful!

    1. Instead of “will”, we can use the imperative to describe cause and effect.

    If the apples are bruised, don't buy them.
    Remember to say 'thank you' if you see Auntie Caroline.

    2. Instead of “will”, we can use modals

    If you grew your hair, you would look beautiful.
    I might get sick if I eat too much ice cream.
    If it is windy on Saturday, we could fly our kite.
    You should talk to your teacher if you need help,
    I 'll never speak to you again if you don't give that back!

    3. We can use time conjunctions such as when, before and after instead of if in the condition clause to talk about future events. The present tense always follows the clause here. Check out the grammar point on time clauses.

    Some examples:

    I'll buy a cat when we move to our new house.
    When you come to stay, we'll go shopping.
    Before you go, you should plan your trip.
    You should visit the museum after you have settled in.
    Please let me know as soon as you can.
    I won't stop until I have to!

    Exercise \(\PageIndex{1}\)

    Fill in the blanks with the correct First (Future Real) Conditional forms. Some sentences require a modal or an imperative form.

    1. If I _________________(get) sunburned, I _________________(feel) very sore.

    2. I _________________(not/come) if I _________________(know) he's going.

     3.If we _________________(go) sailing this summer, we _________________ (go to) France

    4. She _________________(not / get) better if she _________________(not / practice).

    5. We _________________(stay) in Paris if we_________________ (travel) to France.

    6. If we _________________(not/see) each other tomorrow, we _________________(see) each other next week.

    7. If he _________________(come), I _________________(be) surprised.

    8. If the weather_________________ (not improve), farmers _________________ (not have) any crops.

    9. If you _________________(not/want) to go to the movies, we _________________(watch) television at home instead.

    10. They _________________(go) to the park if their friend _________________(come) to stay.

    11. I _________________(be ) late if the flight_________________(not/arrive) on time.

    12. They _________________(go on) vacation if they _________________(afford)  it. 

    Creative Commons License Grammar Quizzes by Julie Sevastopoulos is licensed for use under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 International.


    This page titled 6.1.1: Real Conditional is shared under a CC BY-SA license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Allyson Marceau.

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