First Conditional: Explanation, Example Sentences, and Exercises [Video + Article]

In this lesson, I give an example of how I used the first conditional, explain how to use it, give more examples, and then compare it to the second conditional.

How to Use the First Conditional in English (Form)

In the example I gave, I said the following:

“The problem is: it might rain. So, if it rains, then we’ll probably do something else instead.”

There are two parts to this sentence. The second clause depends on the first part happening.

Here are two outcomes:

• it doesn’t rain = we will see the chickens
• it rains = we will probably do something else instead

We use the first conditional to talk about real possibilities in the future.

You can reverse the sentence, too: “We’ll probably do something else if it rains.”

First Conditional: Example Sentences (Going to, Must, Should)

We don’t just use WILL in the first conditional. We can use GOING TO and modal verbs.

Here are some examples:

• You must get the burger if you go to that restaurant.
• When I’m older, I’m going to travel the world
• If you like it, you should buy it.

In the video, I also talked about the difference between the first and second conditional. I gave the following example:

• Your team is playing in the world cup final next week. You can say, “If we win, the country will go crazy!”
• The World Cup isn’t taking place at the moment. You can say, “If we won the world cup, the country would go crazy!”

The second one is an imaginary situation. Learn more about the second conditional below or by clicking here:

Here is a lesson on mixed conditionals (advanced).

First Conditional Exercise

What to Do Now:

Give an example of the first conditional in the comment section below.

And then, take our other lessons on conditionals here:

• Zero conditional
• Second Conditional
• Third Conditional
• Mixed conditionals