FirstConditional
Real future possibilities
CEFR Pathway · You are here
Get talking · Section 1
5 minWarm up
Finish the sentence: 'If it rains this weekend, I...'
Think of a decision you'll make this month. What depends on what?
Predict what will happen if your team wins/loses the next match.
Grammar focus · Section 2
8–10 minFirst Conditional — real future possibilities
Read the examples. What is the pattern? Say the rule in your own words first.
→ If it rains tomorrow, we'll stay home.
→ If she studies hard, she'll pass the exam.
→ I'll call you if I finish early.
→ If you don't leave now, you'll miss the bus.
Reveal the rule
We use the First Conditional for real, likely situations in the future and their probable results: If + present simple, will + infinitive.
More detail
Unlike Zero Conditional (always true), First Conditional talks about one specific, possible future situation, not a general fact.
If + present simple, will + infinitive
e.g. If it rains, we'll stay home.
When to use
- Real future plans that depend on a condition.
- Warnings ('If you don't hurry, you'll be late.')
- Promises and offers ('If you need help, I'll come.')
- Predictions about likely, specific events.
| Conditional | If clause | Result clause | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zero | present simple | present simple | always true |
| First | present simple | will + infinitive | real future possibility |
No 'will' after if
NOT 'If it will rain, we'll stay home.' Say 'If it rains...'
Memory tip
First Conditional = ONE real future condition, not a general truth.
When to use
Use First Conditional for warnings, promises, and offers in everyday speech.
Build the sentence → spot the natural chunks → say it aloud → reply like a real conversation.
1.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.
2.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.
3.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.
Question 1.If it rains, we ____ home.
Question 2.If she ____ hard, she'll pass.
Question 3.I'll text you if I ____ late.
Question 4.If you don't hurry, you ____ the bus.
Question 5.If they ____, we'll be happy.
Vocabulary · Section 3
5–7 minWords & phrases to own
Don't just read these — say one out loud, then use it about your life.
to depend on
to be decided by something else
"It depends on the weather."
Name something in your life that depends on money.
to be worth it
to deserve the time/effort
"If we go early, it'll be worth it."
Say something that will be worth the effort.
a backup plan
an alternative if the first fails
"If plan A fails, we have a backup plan."
Share a backup plan you have.
to miss out
to lose a chance/opportunity
"If you don't book, you'll miss out."
What could you miss out on this year?
likely
probable
"It's likely to rain later."
What's likely to happen this weekend?
to postpone
to delay to a later time
"If it rains, we'll postpone the trip."
Something you might postpone this week.
Discuss with a partner
- →What will you do if it's sunny this weekend?
- →Do you have a backup plan for anything right now?
Finish the sentence about you
- If it depends on... …
- If I miss out on..., I'll... …
- If plan A fails,... …
60-second write
Write 3 First Conditional sentences about real plans for this week.
Pronunciation · Section 4
3–4 minContracted 'will' — I'll, you'll, we'll
- • If it rains, I'll stay home.
- • If you're late, we'll start without you.
- • If she studies, she'll pass.
- • If they ask, we'll help.
How to say it
In natural speech 'will' almost always contracts: I'll, you'll, he'll, we'll, they'll. Practise the weak /l/ sound blending straight into the verb, with no pause: 'I'll call' not 'I. Will. Call.'
Reading · Section 5
8–10 minThe weekend plan
Maria and Josh are planning their Saturday, but everything depends on the weather. If it's sunny, they'll go hiking in the hills near the city — Maria has been wanting to try the new trail for weeks. If it rains, they'll stay in and finally watch that film everyone's been talking about. There's also a backup plan: if the weather looks uncertain in the morning, they'll check the forecast one more time before deciding. Josh isn't too worried either way — 'If we can't hike, we'll just postpone it until next weekend,' he says. Maria agrees, but secretly hopes it's sunny. If it is, she'll finally get to use the new hiking boots she bought last month.
Read once for the overall message. Decide true or false first, then answer from memory — check the text only to find the sentence that proves you right.
Q1.If it's sunny, they'll go hiking.
Q2.Josh is very worried about the weather.
Q3.Maria bought new hiking boots recently.
Answer from memory first. Type what you think, and only open the choices if you need them.
Question 1.What will they do if it's sunny?
Question 2.What will they do if it rains?
Question 3.What does Maria hope for?
Listening · Section 6
8–10 minPlanning a trip
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Show transcript
Alex:If we leave now, we'll catch the early train.
Priya:I'm almost ready. If I finish packing in five minutes, we'll make it easily.
Alex:Good. And if we miss it, we'll just take the next one.
Priya:True. If it's delayed too, we'll grab breakfast at the station.
Alex:Sounds like a plan. If everything goes well, we'll arrive by ten.
Priya:And if not, we'll call the hotel to let them know.
First listening: catch the language, not the details. Tick what you hear, then listen again for the answers.
Question 1.What will happen if they leave now?
Question 2.What will they do if they miss the train?
Question 3.When will they arrive if all goes well?
Exam skills · Section 7
5 minCambridge PET — Speaking Part 3/4 (making plans & predictions)
Task
Discuss future plans and give reasons using First Conditional.
Strategy
Examiners reward realistic, specific answers over vague ones. Instead of 'Maybe I'll travel,' say 'If I save enough money, I'll travel to Japan next year.' Always pair the condition with a clear, likely result.
Example
'If the weather's good this summer, I'll go camping with friends. If it isn't, we'll probably rent a cabin instead.'
Practice · Section 8
8–10 minFill in the blank
Q1.Write a First Conditional sentence about tomorrow's weather.
Q2.Write a warning using First Conditional.
Q3.Write a promise using First Conditional.
Question 1.If it rains, we ____ stay home.
Question 2.If she ____ the bus, she'll be late.
Question 3.I'll help you if you ____ me.
Question 4.If we hurry, we ____ catch the train.
Question 5.If they ____ late, we'll start without them.
Writing · Section 9
5 minPut it in writing
Plan first: three bullet points, then study the model and notice how it links ideas. Write only after that.
Your task
Write 100 words describing your plans for next weekend, using at least 4 First Conditional sentences to show different possibilities.
Plan (3 bullets)
- 1. What is the situation?
- 2. What are your two main points?
- 3. How will you finish it?
Study the model
Next weekend depends completely on the weather. If it's sunny, I'll go to the beach with my friends — we've been planning it for weeks. If it rains, we'll probably watch films at my place instead. I also want to finish a project, so if I have free time on Sunday morning, I'll work on that before anything else. If a friend invites me somewhere last minute, I'll probably say yes anyway, because I don't want to stay in the whole weekend. Either way, if I get some rest and see people I like, I'll consider it a good weekend.
Speaking · Section 10
10–15 minMake it a real conversation
DECISION CHAIN · In pairs, build a chain of First Conditional sentences: A says 'If I..., I'll...' and B continues from B's result. Keep the chain going for at least 6 turns.
Useful phrases
- • If I..., I'll...
- • And if that happens, I'll...
- • What will you do if...?
- • That depends — if..., I'll...
Decide & report
Work through the situation and agree on one decision together. Then report your decision in 30 seconds, giving two reasons.
- AWhat will you do if it rains this weekend?
- B_______________
- AAnd if it's sunny?
- B_______________
Optional · Teacher-led
Teacher Activities
Build directly on lesson 31 — contrast Zero vs First explicitly before drilling. ~30 min total
Homework · Section 11
Take-homeTake it home
Write 5 First Conditional sentences about your plans this month.
Record yourself giving 3 warnings using First Conditional.
Find 2 First Conditional sentences in an English news article.
Recap · Section 12
2–3 minWhat you've learned
- First Conditional: If + present simple, will + infinitive.
- Used for real, likely future situations.
- Great for warnings, promises, offers and plans.
- Never use 'will' in the if-clause.
- Different from Zero Conditional, which describes general truths.
Extra Practice
Grammar · Vocabulary · Speaking · Review
Found this lesson tricky? Practise the language from Lesson 32 again.
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