First conditional

First conditional

1. Concept

   • El primer condicional, o condicional del futuro, se refiere, como su nombre indica, a condiciones y circunstancias que se pueden cumplir en un futuro

2. Difference between first conditional and second conditional

   • As we already explained, the first conditional describes things that could happen in the future. The second conditional in English describes things that we doubt will happen. It is actually quite subjective, as it depends on how we see things.

3. Usage

   • This is used to talk about things that could happen in the future. We can't actually predict the future, but we can imagine how things might turn out.
   • We use the First Conditional to talk about future events that are likely in a given situation. This verb tense informs us of what will happen (or what is likely to happen) in the future if something else happens first.
   • We use the conditional 1 to talk about a real possibility in the future; that is, of an action that is possible to occur in the future as long as the condition is met.

4. Structure

   • The first conditional in English is formed with the present simple after ‘if’ and then, in the second sentence or clause, you must use the future simple.
     • Structure Interrogative: Partícula interrogativa + will + verbo en infinitivo + if + presente simple.
     • Structure Affirmative: If + presente simple, will + verbo en infinitivo.
     • Structure Negative: If + does not + presente simple, will + verbo en infinitivo.

5. Examples

   • If I go to bed late, I will get up very late. (Si me voy a dormir tarde, me levantaré muy tarde)
   • If I do not go to bed late, I will get up early. (Si no me voy a dormir tarde, me levantaré temprano)
   • What will you do if you go to bed late? (¿Qué harás si te vas a dormir tarde?)
   • If he tells the truth, they will forgive him. / Si dice la verdad, lo perdonarán
   • If we leave now we may get there by two. / Si salimos ahora puede ser que lleguemos a las dos.
   • If we are not there when they arrive, they can wait at the pub. / Si no estamos allí cuando lleguen, pueden esperarnos en el pub.