Conditional I for intermediate learners

conditionals

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.'

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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 get good grades, your mom will be proud of you.

If the book store is opening in five minutes, I will wait.

Punctuation

Always remember to put a comma when the statement begins with the 'if clause'.

If you work hard, you will definitely succeed.

When you state the result before the "if clause", bear in mind not to add a comma to the sentence.

There will be famine if the war goes on.

Uses

The first conditional is used to show the possibility of an event and its result in near future.

I will not be able to control my puppy if the weather gets dark.

If everything goes according to the plan, we will get rich sooner than we expected.

If Alternatives

You can use unless, when, as long as, or in case instead of 'if'.

When she goes out in the rain, she will catch a cold.

You will miss your class unless you try to get up early.

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 wears a t-shirt in this weather, she will be sick.

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 cry if we don't feed them.

This is an example of the zero conditional because both tenses are present and it's stating a fact.

Exclamatory Mood

There are six moods in English grammar. In this article, we will focus on the exclamatory mood. Exclamatives are moods of feelings.

Conditional Mood

Have you ever thought about something that might have happened if there was a different situation in the past? Conditionals help us talk about possibilities.

Zero Conditional

'If you don't eat or drink, you die'. 'If you heat water, it boils'. Zero conditional is used to talk about facts or situations which are always true.

Conditional II

Type 2 conditional sentences talk about situations that are hypothetical. There is a possibility that the condition will be fulfilled.

Conditional III

Conditional III indicates an impossible, hypothetical and unreal condition in the past and its probable result in the past. To learn about them, start reading!

Mixed Conditional

Sometimes the two parts of a conditional sentence refer to different times. This is called a mixed conditional. Ready to learn?

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