First Conditional: if + present, … + will
About future events or « if » clause
1st Conditional: if + present simple, … will + infinitive
About things which might happen in the future.
We don’t know if it will happen, but it’s possible. It could come true.
The First Conditional is about possible events in the present or the future.
If I have enough money, I will buy some new shoes.
If I don’t leave now, I will miss the plane.
If you don’t come tonight, you won’t see him.
If you don’t study harder, you won’t pass your exam.
If it rains, I won’t run.
If the plane is delayed, I will be late.
The « if clause » contain the present tense (simple or continuous).
If I get my exam, I will go to London.
If she is not ill, she will come tomorow.
The main clause contain the future tense (will or « going to »).
If you come, you will see him.
If you come, you’re going to see him.
The main clause can contain modal verbs as « can » or « must ».
If you come, you can see him.
If you go to London, you must send me postcards.
Zero Conditional versus First Conditional:
Zero Conditional: if + present, present clause / general situation, what is going to happen.
First Conditional: if + present, future clause / particular situation, possible future results.
Zero conditional: if you sit in the sun, you get burned
First conditional: if you sit in the sun, you’ll get burned
First Conditional versus Second Conditional:
First Conditional:
if + present, you + future. / I think it can likely happen in the future.
First conditional: If he studies harder, he’ll pass the exam
(I think it’s possible he will study harder and so he’ll pass)
Second Conditional:
if + past, you + would + infinitive. / I don’t think it’ll really happen (it’s my point of view).
Second conditional: If she studied harder, she would pass the exam
(I think that she won’t study harder, or it’s very unlikely, and so she won’t pass).