English Conditionals: Grammar and Practice

Conditional exercises

Conditional exercises. All conditionals: zero, first and second

Master Conditional Sentences in English

Conditional sentences are among the most important grammatical structures for everyday communication in English. They help us discuss real and hypothetical situations and their possible consequences. In this article, we’ll examine the First Conditional in detail, while also providing an overview of other conditional types.

Test Your Knowledge of Conditionals

Try our 25-question quiz to test your understanding of First Conditional sentences:

First Conditional Quiz

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Practice. English Conditionals: Grammar and Practice

If you ___ Ann tomorrow, can you tell her to phone?

If my friend ___ to our town next year I ___ him the sights of the city.

We ___ if they ___ .

They are expecting us. They will be disappointed if we ___ .

If you ___ in a hurry, leave that to me.

I wonder whether he ___ if nothing unexpected ___

If you are free, watch the film they ___ on TV.

If you want to be healthy you should ___ .

Tomorrow if the weather ___ fine we ___ out of the town for hours.

You ___ miss the train if you ___ a taxi.

If you ___ Oxford you ___ some interesting old buildings.

If ___ rings me up, tell him that I’ll be in at 5.

He ___ the picture if it ___ him.

If we ___ English four times a week we’ll learn it.

If I ___ time I ___ you.

They ___ not object to your plan if you ___ it up perfectly.

If you ___ to please an English person, be very polite about his garden.

Hark will play tennis if he ___ his work in time.

If the weather ___ fine we ___ to the park.

If I ___ my entrance exams I ___ the happiest man in the world.

If you ___ after two hares you ___ none.

If you ___ tickets we ___ Paris.

What ___ you ___ if the train ___ in time?

We ___ to see you next Sunday, if I ___ well.

I ___ my work in time if you ___ me.

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Types of Conditional Sentences in English

English has several types of conditional sentences:

  1. Zero Conditional – for general truths and facts
  2. First Conditional – for real and possible situations in the future
  3. Second Conditional – for unreal or unlikely situations in the present
  4. Third Conditional – for unreal situations in the past
  5. Mixed Conditionals – combinations of different conditional types

In this article, we’ll focus on the First Conditional, as it’s the most frequently used form in everyday communication.

🔍 What is the First Conditional?

The First Conditional is used to discuss real and possible situations in the present or future and their likely consequences. This structure indicates that there is a realistic probability that the condition may be fulfilled.

First Conditional Structure:

  • If + Present Simple, Future Simple

or

  • Future Simple + if + Present Simple

Examples:

  • If I study hard, I will pass my exams.
  • She will call you if she has time.

🔑 Key Rules for the First Conditional

1. Tense Usage

  • If clause (condition): use Present Simple
  • Main clause (result): use Future Simple (will/shall + infinitive)

⚠️ Important: Do not use Future Simple in the if-clause:

  • ❌ If I will have time…
  • ✅ If I have time…

2. Clause Order

You can start the sentence with either the if-clause or the main clause:

  • If you work hard, you will succeed.
  • You will succeed if you work hard.

➡️ When the if-clause comes first, we place a comma after it.

3. First Conditional Variations

Besides the standard form, First Conditional sentences can use other forms:

With imperative in the main clause:

  • If you see Mary, tell her to call me.

With modal verbs:

  • If it rains, we can stay at home.
  • If you finish early, you may leave.

With “be going to” construction:

  • If they don’t hurry, they are going to miss the train.

With Present Continuous for planned actions:

  • If the weather is nice tomorrow, we are visiting the park.

🔄 Alternative Conditional Conjunctions

Instead of “if,” you can use other conjunctions in the First Conditional:

  • Unless = if not
    • Unless you study, you will fail the exam.
  • As long as/provided that/providing (that) = on condition that
    • You can borrow my car as long as you drive carefully.
  • When/As soon as/Once = at the time/moment that
    • Once I finish this project, I will take a vacation.

📝 Common Mistakes with First Conditional

1. Using will in the if-clause

  • ❌ If I will see him, I will tell him.
  • ✅ If I see him, I will tell him.

2. Using would instead of will

  • ❌ If you help me, I would finish faster.
  • ✅ If you help me, I will finish faster.

3. Incorrect word order

  • ❌ If will rain, we stay at home.
  • ✅ If it rains, we will stay at home.

📊 Brief Overview of Other Conditional Types

Zero Conditional

Structure: If + Present Simple, Present Simple Usage: General truths, facts, scientific laws Example: If you heat water to 100°C, it boils.

Second Conditional

Structure: If + Past Simple, would + infinitive Usage: Unreal or unlikely situations in the present Example: If I had a lot of money, I would travel around the world.

Third Conditional

Structure: If + Past Perfect, would have + past participle Usage: Unreal situations in the past, regrets about the past Example: If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.

Mixed Conditional

Structure: Combination of different types Usage: When a past condition affects a present result or vice versa Example: If I had saved money (past), I would be rich now (present).

🎯 Practical Tips for Using First Conditional

  1. Everyday planning:
    • If I have time tomorrow, I will help you with your homework.
  2. Warnings:
    • If you don’t leave now, you will be late for your appointment.
  3. Promises:
    • If you finish your chores, I will take you to the cinema.
  4. Offers:
    • If you’re tired, we can take a break.

📚 Extended Table of First Conditional Examples

If-clause (condition) Main clause (result)
If I study hard I will pass the exam
If you call her she will be happy
If we leave early we will avoid traffic
If it rains I will take an umbrella
If she arrives late the manager will be angry
If they offer me the job I will accept it

⚡ Quick Exercises to Reinforce the Material

Exercise 1: Complete the sentences using First Conditional.

  1. If it ______ (rain) tomorrow, we ______ (stay) at home.
  2. She ______ (be) happy if you ______ (call) her.
  3. If I ______ (have) enough money, I ______ (buy) a new laptop.
  4. They ______ (not/come) if you ______ (not/invite) them.
  5. If he ______ (study) hard, he ______ (pass) the exam.

Answers:

  1. If it rains tomorrow, we will stay at home.
  2. She will be happy if you call her.
  3. If I have enough money, I will buy a new laptop.
  4. They won’t come if you don’t invite them.
  5. If he studies hard, he will pass the exam.

Exercise 2: Rewrite the sentences starting with the other clause.

  1. If I see him, I will tell him about the meeting. → ____________
  2. They will go to the beach if the weather is good. → ____________
  3. If you don’t hurry, you will miss the bus. → ____________

Answers:

  1. I will tell him about the meeting if I see him.
  2. If the weather is good, they will go to the beach.
  3. You will miss the bus if you don’t hurry.

🌟 Comparison of Conditional Types

Type Structure Example Meaning
Zero Conditional If + Present Simple, Present Simple If you heat water to 100°C, it boils. General truths, facts
First Conditional If + Present Simple, Future Simple If it rains, I will stay at home. Real possibility in the future
Second Conditional If + Past Simple, would + infinitive If I had money, I would buy a car. Unreal or unlikely situation
Third Conditional If + Past Perfect, would have + past participle If I had studied, I would have passed the exam. Unreal situation in the past

📋 Summary of Key Points for First Conditional

  1. Usage: real possible situations in the future
  2. Structure: If + Present Simple, Future Simple
  3. Form: don’t use will in the if-clause
  4. Order: clauses can be switched
  5. Alternatives: unless, as long as, when, once
  6. Purpose: promises, warnings, offers, plans

💡 Helpful Tips for Memorization

  • Practice using First Conditional in everyday conversations
  • Create your own examples about real situations in your life
  • Remember the simple formula: If + Present, Future
  • Pay attention to First Conditional in English films, songs, and books

Now that you’ve learned about the rules and practice of conditional sentences, try our quiz to test your knowledge!

Note: Regularly practice conditional sentences to solidify them in your language. Use them in conversations, writing, and exercises. The more you practice, the more natural conditional sentences will become in your speech.

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