First Conditional: Rules, Examples, and Practice

The first conditional talks about real possibilities in the future. It links a condition to a likely result, such as “If it rains, we will stay home.” English learners use it daily to make plans, give warnings, and make promises.

This guide explains the first conditional step by step. You will learn the structure, the main uses, and the differences from other conditionals. You will also find examples, exercises, a worksheet, and a short reading text.

How to Use the First Conditional

The first conditional uses the present simple after if. The other clause uses will plus the base verb. The pattern is: if + present simple, will + infinitive.

• If the shop is closed, I’ll order online.
• If Maya studies tonight, she’ll feel confident tomorrow.
• If we leave now, we won’t miss the start.

Notice that the if clause does not take will. The present simple still points to the future here. The result clause carries the future meaning.

The Two Clauses

Every sentence has an if clause and a main clause. The if clause states the condition. The main clause states the result.

You can swap their order. Put a comma after the if clause when it comes first: “If she leaves now, she will catch the bus.” Skip the comma when it comes second: “She will catch the bus if she leaves now.”

Negative and Question Forms

Use don’t or doesn’t in the if clause for a negative condition. Use won’t in the main clause for a negative result. For questions, move will in front of the subject.

• If you don’t hurry, you’ll miss the train.
• Will you call me if you finish early?
• What will you do if it snows?

First vs. Zero Conditional

The first conditional describes a particular situation. The zero conditional describes what happens in general. The difference is whether you talk about one occasion or every time.

Feature	Zero conditional	First conditional
Structure	if + present simple, present simple	if + present simple, will + base verb
Meaning	A general truth	A specific future possibility
Example	If water freezes, it turns to ice.	If it freezes tonight, the pipes will burst.

The first sentence in the table states a rule. The second warns about tonight. That single detail tells you which pattern to choose.

First vs. Second Conditional

The first conditional treats a future event as possible. The second conditional treats it as unlikely or imaginary. The choice depends on the speaker’s point of view.

Compare “If Ali practices daily, he will improve” with “If Ali practiced daily, he would improve.” In the first sentence, the speaker expects Ali to practice. In the second, the speaker doubts it.

Second Conditional

The second conditional uses the past simple after if. The main clause uses would plus the base verb. It talks about unreal or unlikely situations in the present or future.

For example: “If I won the lottery, I would travel the world.” The speaker knows winning is unlikely. Formal English also uses were for every subject, as in “If I were you, I would wait.”

First, Second, and Third Conditionals at a Glance

Three main conditionals cover real and unreal situations. Each one uses a different tense pattern.

Type	Structure	Meaning	Example
First	if + present simple, will + base verb	Real, likely future	If it rains, I will stay in.
Second	if + past simple, would + base verb	Unreal or unlikely present or future	If I had more time, I would learn Spanish.
Third	if + past perfect, would have + past participle	Unreal past	If I had left earlier, I would have caught the train.

First Conditional Exercises

Practice makes the structure automatic. Try the exercises below. Cover the answers first, then check your work.

Exercise 1: Complete the Sentences

Put the verb in brackets into the correct form.

1. If it (rain) tomorrow, we (stay) home.
2. If you (study) hard, you (pass) the test.
3. She (be) angry if you (forget) her birthday.
4. If they (not hurry), they (miss) the flight.
5. What (you / do) if you (lose) your keys?

Answers: 1. rains, will stay; 2. study, will pass; 3. will be, forget; 4. don’t hurry, will miss; 5. will you do, lose.

Exercise 2: Fix the Mistake

Correct the error in each sentence.

1. If it will rain, we will cancel the picnic.
2. If I will see him, I will tell him.
3. She will be happy if she will win.

Answers: 1. If it rains, we will cancel the picnic. 2. If I see him, I will tell him. 3. She will be happy if she wins.

First Conditional Examples

Examples show how the pattern works in real life. The sentences below are grouped by situation. Read them aloud to build a natural rhythm.

Everyday Life

• If I finish early, I’ll call you.
• If the bus is late, we’ll take a taxi.
• If you cook, I’ll wash the dishes.
• If she calls, I’ll tell her the news.

Learn more………Inversion: Meaning, Rules, and Examples

Work and School

• If I send the report today, my manager will be pleased.
• If you revise daily, you will pass the exam.
• If the meeting runs long, we’ll order lunch.
• If he improves his writing, he’ll get the job.

Weather and Travel

• If it snows, the roads will close.
• If the flight is delayed, we’ll miss the connection.
• If it stays sunny, we’ll go to the beach.

Negative Sentences

• If you don’t sleep, you won’t concentrate.
• If we don’t book now, the tickets will sell out.
• She won’t pass if she doesn’t practice.

First Conditional Worksheet

A good worksheet moves from simple to harder tasks. Start with gap fills, then match sentence halves, then write your own sentences. Use the parts below as a practice sheet.

Part A: Fill in the Blanks

1. If you (call) me, I (pick) you up.
2. We (be) late if the train (be) slow.
3. If she (not study), she (fail).
4. If it (be) sunny, they (play) outside.

Answers: 1. call, will pick; 2. will be, is; 3. doesn’t study, will fail; 4. is, will play.

Part B: Match the Halves

Match each if clause with the correct result.

3. If you work hard,
4. If the weather is hot,
5. If you run now,

• (a) you’ll catch the bus.
• (b) you’ll succeed.
• (c) we’ll go to the beach.

Answers: 1-b, 2-c, 3-a.

Part C: Write Your Own

Finish each sentence with your own idea. There is no single right answer.

• If I have free time this weekend, …
• If my friend invites me out, …
• If I don’t understand a word, …

Zero Conditional

The zero conditional states facts and rules that are always true. Both clauses use the present simple: if + present simple, present simple. No future prediction is involved.

In most zero conditional sentences, you can replace if with when without changing the meaning.

• If you press this key, the screen wakes up.
• If you mix red and blue, you get purple.
• If plants get no light, they die.
• If I drink coffee at night, I can’t sleep.

First Conditional Exercises PDF

Many learners prefer printable practice. PDF exercises let you study offline and write answers by hand. A strong set includes clear instructions, graded difficulty, and an answer key.

You can also build your own set. Copy the exercises above into a document, add your own sentences, and save the file as a PDF. Review your mistakes after each round.

What a Good PDF Should Include

• A short summary of the rule
• Gap-fill sentences
• Error-correction tasks
• Writing prompts
• A full answer key

First Conditional Use

Use the first conditional for real possibilities in the future. It fits promises, warnings, threats, offers, and predictions. The speaker believes the condition could easily come true.

Main Uses with Examples

• Promise: If you help me, I’ll buy you lunch.
• Warning: If you touch that wire, you’ll get a shock.
• Threat: If you shout again, I’ll leave.
• Offer: If you need a lift, I’ll drive you.
• Prediction: If the team trains well, it will win.

Unless, Modals, and Imperatives

Unless means if not. “Unless you hurry, you’ll miss the bus” has the same meaning as “If you don’t hurry, you’ll miss the bus.” Phrases such as as long as and provided that also work.

You can use other modals in the main clause, such as might, can, or should. “If it clears up, we might go out” sounds less certain. An imperative also works: “If you see Sam, tell him to call me.”

Mistakes to Avoid

Wrong	Correct
If it will rain, I will stay home.	If it rains, I will stay home.
If I will have time, I’ll help you.	If I have time, I’ll help you.
She will come if she will be free.	She will come if she is free.
If you will hurry, you will catch it.	If you hurry, you will catch it.
Unless you don’t hurry, you’ll be late.	Unless you hurry, you’ll be late.

The most common error is using will after if. Remember that will belongs in the result clause, not in the condition.

First Conditional Reading

Reading helps you notice the pattern in natural text. The short passage below uses the first conditional several times. Read it once, then answer the questions.

Short Reading Passage: A Weekend Plan

Sara has big plans for Saturday. If the weather is nice, she will go hiking with her friends. If it rains, they will visit the museum instead. They will take the early bus if they want a good seat.

Sara also has an exam on Monday. If she finishes her revision on Friday, she will relax on Saturday. If she doesn’t finish, she will study in the evening. She knows she will feel calmer if she makes a plan.

Comprehension Questions

1. What will Sara do if the weather is nice?
2. What will the friends do if it rains?
3. When will Sara relax?
4. What will she do if she doesn’t finish her revision?

Answers: 1. She will go hiking. 2. They will visit the museum. 3. She will relax on Saturday if she finishes her revision on Friday. 4. She will study in the evening.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the first conditional?

The first conditional is a sentence pattern that talks about a real, possible future situation. It uses the present simple in the if clause and will plus a base verb in the main clause. For example: “If it rains, we will stay home.”

What are 10 examples of the first conditional sentences?

Here are ten examples:

1. If you ask politely, she will help you.
2. If I get the job, I’ll move to a bigger city.
3. If the price drops, we’ll buy two.
4. If he doesn’t call, I’ll send a message.
5. If it gets dark, we’ll turn on the lights.
6. If you eat too much, you’ll feel sick.
7. If they win, the whole town will celebrate.
8. If the battery dies, I’ll use my laptop.
9. If you take this road, you’ll arrive sooner.
10. If she apologizes, I’ll forgive her.

What is 1st, 2nd, and 3rd conditional?

The first conditional talks about real future possibilities: “If it rains, I’ll stay in.” The second conditional talks about unlikely or imaginary situations now or later: “If I won, I would travel.” The third conditional talks about unreal past situations: “If I had left earlier, I would have caught the train.”

What are zero and first conditionals?

The zero conditional states general truths and uses the present simple in both clauses: “If you heat ice, it melts.” The first conditional predicts a specific future result with will: “If it freezes tonight, the pipes will burst.”

What is a 10 example of zero conditional?

Here are ten examples:

1. If you heat butter, it melts.
2. If you freeze water, it becomes ice.
3. If it rains, the grass grows.
4. If you cut an onion, your eyes water.
5. If the traffic is heavy, I take the train.
6. If you don’t water a plant, it dries out.
7. If I skip breakfast, I feel tired.
8. If you press the horn, it makes a loud noise.
9. If people don’t sleep, they get irritable.
10. If the alarm rings, everyone leaves the building.

Conclusion

The first conditional helps you talk about real situations that could happen soon. You choose a likely condition, put the present simple after if, and finish with will plus a base verb. This simple pattern lets you make plans, give warnings, and keep promises with confidence. Once you see the structure, you will spot it in everyday speech.

Practice a little every day to make it stick. Work through the exercises, complete the worksheet, and write your own sentences about your week. Compare the first conditional with the zero and second conditionals to sharpen your choices. Soon you will use it naturally in both speaking and writing.