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Expressing real and likely future conditions and their results.
Practice: build the sentences →The First Conditional describes a real or possible future condition and its likely or possible result.
It is used when the speaker considers the condition realistic enough to be a genuine possibility.
If it rains, we will stay at home.
Если пойдёт дождь, мы останемся дома.
Real future possibility and its likely result.
If you study hard, you will pass the exam.
Если будешь усердно учиться, ты сдашь экзамен.
Realistic future condition.
The First Conditional commonly uses the Present Simple in the if-clause and will followed by the base verb in the main clause.
For example, If it rains, we will stay at home.
If it rains, we will stay at home.
Если пойдёт дождь, мы останемся дома.
Present Simple in if-clause, will + base verb in main clause.
If she comes, I will tell her the news.
Если она придёт, я расскажу ей новости.
Basic first conditional form.
If they invite us, we will go to the party.
Если они пригласят нас, мы пойдём на вечеринку.
Present Simple + will.
Use the Present Simple in the if-clause when referring to a possible future condition.
For example, If she comes tomorrow, I will talk to her.
If she comes tomorrow, I will talk to her.
Если она придёт завтра, я поговорю с ней.
Present Simple for future condition.
If you finish early, we will go out.
Если ты закончишь рано, мы пойдём гулять.
Present Simple in if-clause.
Will is commonly used in the main clause to express the likely future result of the condition.
For example, If you study, you will pass the exam.
If you study, you will pass the exam.
Если будешь учиться, ты сдашь экзамен.
Will + base verb in main clause.
If it is sunny, we will go to the beach.
Если будет солнечно, мы пойдём на пляж.
Will for likely result.
The if-clause can come first and is normally followed by a comma.
For example, If you call me, I will answer.
If you call me, I will answer.
Если ты позвонишь мне, я отвечу.
If-clause first, comma after.
If it rains, we will cancel the picnic.
Если пойдёт дождь, мы отменим пикник.
If-clause first.
The main clause can come first and is normally not followed by a comma before the if-clause.
For example, I will answer if you call me.
I will answer if you call me.
Я отвечу, если ты позвонишь мне.
Main clause first, no comma.
We will stay at home if it rains.
Мы останемся дома, если пойдёт дождь.
Main clause first.
Use the First Conditional when the condition is a realistic future possibility.
For example, If the weather is good tomorrow, we will go to the beach.
If the weather is good tomorrow, we will go to the beach.
Если завтра будет хорошая погода, мы пойдём на пляж.
Realistic future possibility.
If I get the job, I will move to London.
Если я получу работу, я перееду в Лондон.
Real future possibility.
The First Conditional can be used to describe a likely negative result as a warning.
For example, If you touch that wire, you will get an electric shock.
If you touch that wire, you will get an electric shock.
Если тронешь тот провод, тебя ударит током.
Warning about a negative result.
If you do not hurry, you will miss the train.
Если не поторопишься, ты опоздаешь на поезд.
Warning.
The First Conditional can express promises or offers that depend on a future condition.
For example, If you help me, I will help you and If you need anything, I will call you.
If you help me, I will help you.
Если ты поможешь мне, я помогу тебе.
Promise dependent on a condition.
If you need anything, I will call you.
Если тебе что-нибудь понадобится, я позвоню тебе.
Offer with future condition.
The First Conditional can describe a predicted future result if a condition occurs.
For example, If prices continue to rise, people will spend less.
If prices continue to rise, people will spend less.
Если цены продолжат расти, люди будут тратить меньше.
Predicted future result.
If it snows, the roads will be slippery.
Если пойдёт снег, дороги будут скользкими.
Prediction.
An imperative can occur in the main clause when the speaker gives an instruction that depends on a future condition.
For example, If you see John, tell him to call me.
If you see John, tell him to call me.
Если увидишь Джона, скажи ему позвонить мне.
Imperative in main clause.
If you finish early, come to my office.
Если закончишь рано, зайди в мой офис.
Instruction depending on a future condition.
Modal verbs such as can, may, might, should, and must can replace will when the result expresses another meaning.
For example, If you finish early, you can leave. If it rains, we may cancel the match.
If you finish early, you can leave.
Если закончишь рано, можешь уйти.
Can for permission.
If it rains, we may cancel the match.
Если пойдёт дождь, мы, возможно, отменим матч.
May for possibility.
If you feel unwell, you should see a doctor.
Если ты плохо себя чувствуешь, тебе следует обратиться к врачу.
Should for advice.
The Present Continuous can sometimes appear in the main clause when the result is a future arrangement or ongoing situation.
For example, If you come tomorrow, we are having lunch together.
If you come tomorrow, we are having lunch together.
Если ты придёшь завтра, мы обедаем вместе.
Present Continuous for a future arrangement.
If she calls, I am meeting her at the station.
Если она позвонит, я встречаю её на вокзале.
Arrangement as result.
Be going to can express an intended or evidence-based future result in a First Conditional sentence.
For example, If we do not leave now, we are going to miss the train.
If we do not leave now, we are going to miss the train.
Если мы не выйдем сейчас, мы опоздаем на поезд.
Going to for evidence-based future result.
If you do not study, you are going to fail the exam.
Если не будешь учиться, ты провалишь экзамен.
Intended or predicted result.
May and might can express an uncertain future result.
For example, If it rains, we might stay at home.
If it rains, we might stay at home.
Если пойдёт дождь, мы, возможно, останемся дома.
Might for uncertain result.
If you ask him, he may help you.
Если ты попросишь его, он, возможно, поможет тебе.
May for possible result.
Unless can replace if...not when the condition means that something will happen except when a particular condition prevents it.
For example, Unless you hurry, you will miss the train.
Unless you hurry, you will miss the train.
Если ты не поторопишься, ты опоздаешь на поезд.
Unless = if not.
Unless we leave now, we will be late.
Если мы не выйдем сейчас, мы опоздаем.
Unless introduces a condition that prevents a result.
First Conditional meanings can be introduced by expressions such as when, as soon as, before, after, until, and once.
These expressions normally use a present form for future reference in the subordinate clause.
When you arrive, I will call you.
Когда ты приедешь, я позвоню тебе.
When + Present Simple for future.
As soon as I finish, I will let you know.
Как только я закончу, я сообщу тебе.
As soon as + Present Simple.
Before you leave, please turn off the lights.
Перед уходом, пожалуйста, выключи свет.
Before + Present Simple.
Use when when the speaker expects an event to happen, and use if when the event is only a possibility or condition.
Compare When he arrives, we will start with If he arrives, we will start.
When he arrives, we will start.
Когда он приедет, мы начнём.
When: expected event.
If he arrives, we will start.
Если он приедет, мы начнём.
If: possible but not certain.
Will is not normally used in the if-clause to express an ordinary future condition.
Use the Present Simple instead: If it rains, we will stay home, not If it will rain, we will stay home.
If it rains, we will stay home.
Если пойдёт дождь, мы останемся дома.
Correct: Present Simple in if-clause.
If it will rain, we will stay home.
Если будет дождь, мы останемся дома.
Incorrect: will not normally used in if-clause.
Will can occur in an if-clause when it expresses willingness, insistence, or refusal rather than ordinary future time.
For example, If you will listen to me, I can explain the problem.
If you will listen to me, I can explain the problem.
Если ты выслушаешь меня, я могу объяснить проблему.
Will in if-clause = willingness.
If she will agree to help, we can finish on time.
Если она согласится помочь, мы сможем закончить вовремя.
Willingness/insistence.
Should can be used in the if-clause to make a future condition more tentative or formal.
For example, If you should need any help, please contact us.
If you should need any help, please contact us.
Если вам понадобится помощь, пожалуйста, свяжитесь с нами.
Should in if-clause for tentative/formal condition.
If you should see him, tell him I said hello.
Если вы его увидите, передайте ему привет от меня.
Formal/tentative condition.
Were to can express a hypothetical or unlikely future condition in more formal English.
For example, If the company were to close, many people would lose their jobs.
If the company were to close, many people would lose their jobs.
Если бы компания закрылась, многие люди потеряли бы работу.
Were to for hypothetical/unlikely future condition.
If you were to leave now, you would catch the train.
Если бы ты вышел сейчас, ты бы успел на поезд.
Were to + would for hypothetical result.
The First Conditional describes a particular possible future situation, while the Zero Conditional describes a general or repeated relationship.
Compare If you do not water this plant, it will die with If plants do not get water, they die.
If you do not water this plant, it will die.
Если ты не польёшь это растение, оно погибнет.
First conditional: specific future possibility.
If plants do not get water, they die.
Если растения не получают воду, они погибают.
Zero conditional: general truth.
The First Conditional presents a realistic future possibility, while the Second Conditional presents a more hypothetical or unlikely situation.
Compare If I have time, I will help you with If I had more time, I would help you.
If I have time, I will help you.
Если у меня будет время, я помогу тебе.
First conditional: real possibility.
If I had more time, I would help you.
Если бы у меня было больше времени, я бы помог тебе.
Second conditional: hypothetical.
Use the First Conditional when the condition is a realistic future possibility and use the appropriate tense or modal in each clause.
Common mistakes include using will in an ordinary if-clause, using would in the if-clause, confusing unless with if...not, and using the First Conditional for general truths that require the Zero Conditional.
If it rains, we will stay home.
Если пойдёт дождь, мы останемся дома.
Correct first conditional.
If it will rain, we will stay home.
Если будет дождь, мы останемся дома.
Incorrect: will in if-clause.
Unless you hurry, you will miss the train.
Если ты не поторопишься, ты опоздаешь на поезд.
Correct use of unless.
If you heat ice, it will melt.
Если нагреть лёд, он растает.
Incorrect for zero conditional: should be "it melts".