First Conditional
Grammar Guide
mgr Anna Waligórska – Kotfas
PWSZ Konin
Introduction: Clauses
Conditional sentences usually consist of two
clauses:
a
conditional clause (or IF CLAUSE) and a
main clause (or RESULT CLAUSE).
 The
result in the main clause is dependent
on the condition in the conditional clause.
First Conditional: Verb Patterns
 RESULT
CLAUSE
will/won’t + infinitive
IF CLAUSE
if + present simple
I will stay at home if it rains.
First Conditional: Clause Order
 You
can reverse the two clauses of a first
conditional sentence without changing the
meaning:
We will go if Pat doesn’t arrive soon.
=
If Pat doesn’t arrive soon, we will go.
First Conditional: Clause Order
 It
doesn’t matter which comes first, but if
we put the IF CLAUSE first, we usually
separate the clauses with a comma:
She will get a pay rise if she works hard.
=
If she works hard, she will get a pay rise.
Use: Possible Future Events

We use the first conditional to talk about real
future possibilities, things that are likely to
happen:
If I go to Barcelona, I will send you a postcard.
(= it’s possible that I’ll go. I’m planning to go
to Spain on holiday.)
If I move to London, I will invite you to stay with
me.
(= it’s possible that I will move. I’m looking for
a job in London.)
Example sentences

The cat will scratch you if you pull its tail.

She will be angry if I’m late.

I will come and see you tomorrow if I have
enough time.

I’ll call the police if you don’t leave right now!
Example sentences

If the weather is good tomorrow, we’ll have a
picnic.

If he runs, he will get there in time.

If we don’t hurry, we won’t finish.

If the result of the test is negative, you’ll receive
notification through the post.
UNLESS
 UNLESS
means the same as IF NOT:
I won’t pass my exam unless I work
harder.
=
I won’t pass my exam if I don’t work
harder.
If you learn it,
you will use
1st conditional correctly.

Bibliography
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Bourke K.: Verbs and Tenses: Intermediate. Test it, Fix
it. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006.
Leech G., Cruickshank B., Ivanic R.: An A-Z of English
Grammar & Usage. Harlow: Longman, 2004.
Murphy R.: English Grammar in Use. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press, 2006.
Swan M.: Practical English Usage. Oxford: Oxford
University Press, 2005.
Thomas A. J., Martinet A. V.: A practical English
Grammar. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1986.
Vince M.: Intermediate Language Practice (New
Edition) . Oxford: Macmillan Education 2010.