Understanding a First Conditional (Definition, Sentences, Examples)

What is a first conditional? How does a first conditional work? The first conditional is a conditional phrase in English. It represents the future result or consequence of a possibility that is realistic, either currently, or in the future.

What is the first conditional?

In English, several phrases are used to give meaning to circumstances that occur in life. The conditional phrase is used as an expression to relay information about something that will take place in the future. Nonetheless, in a conditional phrase, the consequence of something occurring is a result of some action that has taken place in the past.

The first conditional is any phrase that represents an action that will happen in the future based on something that has happened in the past. The action is the result of the occurrence of the past, and realistically takes place. Consequently, the resultant action is something that is bound to happen or has a good chance of occurring. Here is an example:

• In case John misses the morning train, he will take the afternoon train.

Here, the sentence expresses a condition stating that “In case” someone misses a train (there is a chance of missing the train), the next will be taken (the afternoon train). As a result, the possibility of missing the first will be resolved by taking the afternoon train. The first conditional sentence represents a reality (a definite possibility, or a certainty) that the next train will be taken.

When to use the first conditional

There is something to note about the first conditional phrase; it is used only when the consequence of any action results in reality. That means, if any incident occurs, the result has to be a realistic possibility. This makes it different from a conditional sentence in which the consequence may not be realistic.

In a sentence with the first conditional, the first part of the sentence is indicative of something that may happen, with the second part representing a certain or definitive consequence.

How to form the first conditional

To form a sentence with the first conditional, the following formula applies:

• If + the present simple tense, won’t/will + the verb

E.g., If I pass my exams, I will celebrate with a party.

If I pass my exams, I won’t have to sit for them again.

As is the case with any conditional phrase, the structure can be inverted:

• Will + the verb if + the present simple

E.g., I will celebrate with a party if I pass my exams.

I won’t have to do my exams again if I pass my exams.

The difference between the first conditional and the second conditional

The first conditional clearly describes events that will happen in the future or are likely to happen, in a realistic way. The second conditional, on the other hand, describes future events that may not happen. Consequently, the second conditional is subjective and is reliant on an opinion or a point of view. Here are examples of each:

• First Conditional: If he marries Rita, he will become rich overnight.
• Second Conditional: If he had met Rita, he would’ve had a chance to be rich.

Examples of sentences in the first conditional

• If it starts to rain, you will get drenched.
• If Tom is late today, I will get angry.
• If the puppy slips, he will have a broken leg.
• Mary will miss the bus if she does not hurry.
• The dress will get soiled if you spill food on it.
• If you don’t take care to get well completely, you will fall ill again.

Sources:

• The First Conditional (perfect-english-grammar.com)
• The First Conditional – Wall Street English
• Conditional Definition & Meaning – Merriam-Webster
• Conditional – definition of conditional by The Free Dictionary