First Conditional & Future Clauses
Learn how to talk about realistic future consequences and conditions.
- check_circleI can use the first conditional for possible future situations.
- check_circleI can talk about future plans using time clauses like when, as soon as, and unless.
Discover
Meet today's English in a real situation — no rules yet. Read it once and try to guess the pattern in the words in bold. Underlined words open a short definition.
Sarah: Hey Mark, have you checked the weather forecast for this weekend?
Mark: Yes, I did. It says it might rain on Saturday.
Sarah: Oh no! If it rains, we will have to cancel the hike.
Mark: Let’s not cancel it yet. We won’t postpone it unless the weather is really terrible.
Sarah: Okay. But if we stay in the city, what will we do?
Mark: When I finish work on Friday, I’ll look for some indoor activities. I’ll call you as soon as I find something interesting.
Sarah: Sounds good. If the sun comes out on Sunday, we will go to the beach instead!
Learn
Now the rules behind what you just saw — explained simply, with examples. Underlined words open a short definition — hover on desktop, tap on a phone.
We use the first conditional to talk about real, possible situations in the future and their results.
The Structure
The first conditional has two parts (clauses): the condition (if clause) and the result (will clause).
Condition: If + present simple Result: will + base verb
- If I get the job, I will move to London.
- We will be late if we don’t leave now.
You can put the if clause first or second. When it comes first, use a comma.
Common mistake
Do not use will in the if part of the sentence!
If it will rain, I will stay home.
If it rains, I will stay home.
Time Clauses: when, as soon as, unless
We also use the present simple after time words to talk about the future.
1. When vs. If
Use if when you are not sure something will happen. Use when when you are sure it will happen.
- If I see him, I’ll say hello. (I might not see him)
- When I get home, I’ll make dinner. (I am definitely going home)
2. As soon as
Use as soon as to say that something will happen immediately after something else.
- I will text you as soon as I land at the airport.
3. Unless
Unless means if not or except if.
- You won’t pass the exam unless you study. (If you don’t study, you won’t pass)
- We will go to the park tomorrow unless it rains.
Let’s learn some useful vocabulary for talking about work and plans. If you live far away, you might have to commute. If you do a good job, you might get a promotion!
- First Conditional:
If + present simple, will + infinitive - Don’t use will immediately after if.
- Use when for things you are sure about; use if for possibilities.
- As soon as = immediately after.
- Unless = if not.
Practice
Try it yourself. You'll see right away whether you got it right, plus a short explanation of why.
Use It
Now make the language yours in a real task. Use the prompt below — the editor keeps a simple word count, and nothing is saved or graded.
Before you finish — be honest. Can you do these now?