Conditional I for intermediate learners
We use the conditional Type 1 when we want to talk about situations we believe are real or possible in the future. 'If I study hard, I'll pass the exam.'
What Is Fist Conditional?
First conditionals are statements about plans that are possible to happen in the future. They consist of an 'if clause' that shows the possibility and the 'main clause' that is the result.
You can change the order of the clauses and the meaning of the statement will be the same.
Structure
The formula of the first conditional is:
'If' or 'when' + a clause with the simple present tense or present continuous, + main clause with simple future (will + base form of the verb)
If you
If the book store
Punctuation
Always remember to put a comma when the statement begins with the 'if clause'.
When you state the result before the "if clause", bear in mind not to add a comma to the sentence.
There will be famine
Uses
The first conditional is used to show the possibility of an event and its result in near future.
I
If Alternatives
Zero Conditionals vs. First Conditionals
The main difference between these two is that you must use a modal verb such as (will, should, can,...) in the main clause. Also, the zero conditional is used when you want to state a fact, but the first conditional is used to talk about the possibility of an event in the future.
If she
Here is an example of first conditional because it's about a possibility in the future and we have a modal verb (will) in the result clause.
Babies
This is an example of the zero conditional because both tenses are present and it's stating a fact.