INTRODUCTION

It is very common to talk about cause – effect actions. These actions can be probable, real or even
imaginary. In order to do this, in English language, we usually use what we call conditionals. First
conditional is very useful when we want to talk about these type of situations which can be real, in other
words, It's used to talk about things which might happen in the future. Of course, we can't know what
will happen in the future, but this describes possible things, which could easily come true. The following
essay shows what the conditionals are and what is used to talk about real situations, specifically the
first conditional
DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOPIC
There are three types of conditionals. Each type consists in two parts: the “if” clause (hypothesis), which
begins with the word if and the main clause which shows the result of the hypothesis.
 GENERAL STRUCTURE:

The general structure followed by conditional sentences in English is: If + present simple + future.
However, there are a large number of variations that are constructed differently. Let's see what
they are and an example of each of them.
If clause (hypothesis) + Main clause (result)
If + present simple, will + verb
 EXAMPLE: If you study hard, you will be able to finish the career.
FIRST CONDITIONAL
We use the first conditional to talk about the result of a very probable situation in the future, which can
be real. Example: If I have enough money, I'll buy some new shoes.
The if clause talks about things that are possible, but not certain: If I’m late again, I’ll lose my job.
(Maybe I’ll be late again). The main clause says what we think the result will be in this situation. (I’m
sure I’ll lose my job).
If clause, Main clause
(if + Present Simple), (will/ won’t + infinitive)
 EXAMPLE: If I’m late again, I will lose my job.
If we don’t get there by five, we will miss the plane.
STRUCTURES

 AFFIRMATIVE FORM: [IF] + [SUBJECT] + [VERB IN PRESENT SIMPLE], + [SUBJECT] +

[WILL] + [VERB BASE FORM]: If you go to the forest, you’ll get lost.
 NEGATIVE FORM: [IF] + [SUBJECT] + [DO NOT / DOES NOT] [VERB IN BASE FORM], +
[SUBJECT] + [BACK] + [VERB IN BASE FORM]: If I don´t have too much work, I’ll watch TV.
 INTERROGATIVE FORM: [INTERROGATIVE PARTICLE] + [WILL] + [SUBJECT] + [VERB IN
BASE FORM] + [IF] + [SUBJECT] + [VERB IN PRESENT SIMPLE], +?: What will you do if you
have free time?
 3. VARIANTS OF THE FIRST CONDITIONAL IN ENGLISH (WITH EXAMPLES)

If + Present Simple + Will + Infinitive

If you don’t pass the test, you won’t finish university.

 NOTE: It is very important to put the comma between the two sentences.

Unless + present simple + will not + infinitve.

Unless you hurry up, We'll be late.
 NOTE: You can replace will by the contraction 'll after the subject.

Future + If + Present Simple.

You will be able to go out if you order and clean your room.
She won’t out get into university unless she gets good grades.
 NOTE: In this type of construction do not use the comma.

 IMPERATIVE:

Present + if + present.
Come and see us next week if you have time.
 NOTE: Could be built the other way round: If you have time, come and see us next week.

As soon as + present simple + future.

As soon as we have enough money saved, we will take a vacation to Costa Rica
 .NOTE: You can build the phrase backwards: We will take a vacation to Costa Rica As soon as
we have enough money saved.

Future + when / until / before + present simple.

We will go shopping when you get home.

I will not play until I finish my homework.
I will have breakfast before going out with my Friends.
 NOTE: You can reverse the order of sentences: when you get home, we will go shopping; Until
I finish my homework, I will not play; Before going out with my friends, I will have breakfast.

CONCLUSION

This conditional is used to express a true and probable only in the future if any condition is met; a
clear example could be the following:

If you eat too much, / you will get fat.

First Sentence: Present Simple. /Second Sentence: Future Form.
The first conditional uses:
1. Present Simple
2. Present Continuous
3. Present of the verb To Be and it is complemented by a verb in Future Form.