If + present, will + base verbUse present in the if-part and will in the result part when the if-clause comes first.
First Conditional
A2First Conditional talks about a real future possibility and its result: If + present, ... will + verb.
What you'll learn
- Build real future condition sentences with if + present and will + verb.
- Place the comma correctly when the if-clause comes first.
- Choose First Conditional for possible future situations and results.
- Recognize markers like if, unless, tomorrow, and tonight.
Structure
will + base verb + if + presentThe meaning stays the same when the result clause comes first. Do not add a comma before if here.
Build a sentence
Condition
Result
If it rains,I will take an umbrella
If it rains, I will take an umbrella.
Use present after if, then will + verb in the result.
When to use
Plans and weather
Use it when a future condition can change a plan. If it rains, Lisa will take a taxi.
Warnings and advice
Use it for likely results after a condition. If you do not leave now, you will miss the train.
Future decisions
Use it when one future event depends on another. If Maria finishes early, she will join us for dinner.
Markers
ifunlesstomorrowtonightthis weekendnext week
In contrast
vs zero-conditional
First Conditional is for a real future possibility. Zero Conditional is for general facts and results that are always true.
Common mistakes
Wrong
If it will rain, we will stay home.
Correct
If it rains, we will stay home.
After if, use present for this pattern. Put will in the result clause, not in the if-clause.
Wrong
If Anna calls, I call her back.
Correct
If Anna calls, I will call her back.
The condition uses present, but the future result needs will + base verb.
Wrong
If Tom is late we will start without him.
Correct
If Tom is late, we will start without him.
When the if-clause starts the sentence, add a comma before the result clause.
Wrong
We will start without Tom, if he is late.
Correct
We will start without Tom if he is late.
When the result clause comes first, do not put a comma before if.
Common misconceptions
❝ First Conditional means the future event is certain. ❞
It shows a real possibility, not a guarantee. The speaker sees the condition as possible and the result as likely if it happens.
❝ Because the meaning is future, both clauses should use will. ❞
In First Conditional, the if-clause uses present. Only the result clause takes will.
Skills in this rule (4)
IF_PRESENT_WILL_FUTUREw5Use present in the if-clause and will in the result
For a real future possibility, use present after if and will in the result clause. Do not put will inside the if-clause.
COMMA_WHEN_IF_COMES_FIRSTw3Add a comma when the if-clause comes first
Use a comma after the if-clause when it starts the sentence. No comma before if when the result clause comes first.
USE_FOR_REAL_FUTURE_POSSIBILITYw4Use First Conditional for a real future possibility
Choose this pattern for situations that can really happen in the future and their likely result. It is about a possible future condition, not a general truth.
PICK_REAL_FUTURE_MARKERSw2Recognize markers of real future possibility
Words like if, unless, tomorrow, tonight, and this weekend often point to a real future condition and result.