The first conditional is used to express situations based on fact in the present or future (things which may happen).
Uses the simple present tense + will or a modal verb:-
Formation
| (IF Clause) | (Main Clause) |
|---|---|
| If I see you tomorrow, | I will buy you a drink. |
| If you buy me a drink, | I might buy you one. |
or...
| (Main Clause) | (IF Clause) |
|---|---|
| I will buy you a drink | if I see you tomorrow. |
| I might buy you one | if you buy me one. |
We often use unless which means 'if ... not'.
Formation
| (IF Clause) | (Main Clause) |
|---|---|
| Unless you hand in your homework, | I won't mark it. |
| means | |
| If you don't hand in your homework, | I won't mark it. |
or...
| (Main Clause) | (IF Clause) |
|---|---|
| I won't mark your homework | unless you hand it in. |
| means | |
| I won't mark your homework | if you don't hand it in. |
Note! We never use will, or won't in the if part of the sentence.
For example:
- If I have time today, I will phone my friend. = I will phone my friend if I have time today. (It is possible that I will have time - therefore the condition is real).
- If I go to England, I will buy some Cheddar cheese. = I will buy some Cheddar cheese if I go to England. (It is possible that I will go to England - therefore the condition is real).