The first conditional has the present
simple after 'if', then the future simple in
the other clause:
If + sub + verb1 +(obj) +, + sub +
will/shall + base form + (obj)
It's used to talk about
things which might happen in the future. Of course, we can't know what will
happen in the future, but this describes possible things, which could easily
come true.
For example:
-If it rains,
I won't go to the park.
-If I study today, I'll go to
the party tonight.
-If I have enough money, I'll buy some
new shoes.
-She'll be late if the train is delayed.
-She'll miss the bus if she doesn't leave soon.
-If I see her, I'll tell her.
First vs. Zero
Conditional:
The first conditional describes a particular situation,
whereas the zero
conditional describes what happens in general.
For example (zero conditional):
For example (zero conditional):
-If you sit in the sun, you get burned (here I'm talking
about every time a person sits in the sun - the burning is a natural
consequence of the sitting)
But (first conditional):
But (first conditional):
-If you sit in the sun, you'll get burned (here I'm talking about
what will happen today, another day might be different)
First vs. Second Conditional:
The first conditional describes
things that I think are likely to happen in the future, whereas the second
conditional talks about things that I don't think will really happen. It's
subjective; it depends on my point of view.
For example (first conditional):
For example (first conditional):
-If she studies harder, she'll pass
the exam (I think it's possible she will study harder and so she'll pass)
But (second conditional):
But (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).
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