First Conditional

First Conditional

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What Is the First Conditional?
First Conditional Uses
See Also

What Is the First Conditional?

Rules

The first conditional is used to express possible future results based on present situations.

First conditional sentences are commonly used to:

offer suggestions
talk about superstitions
make plans
give warnings

First Conditional Uses

The first conditional is also called real conditional. It is used to express results that are likely to happen if the condition is met.

The usual structure of a first conditional sentence is:

First conditional rule.

Conditional sentences contain two clauses:

Conditional clause (commonly called the if-clause)

the condition/situation
dependent clause—it needs the hypothetical result to form a complete sentence
contains a conditional clause marker—subordinating conjunction such as the words “if,” “when,” “as,” etc.

Main clause

the result
independent clause—makes sense on its own

Examples

Offer Suggestions

Two people looking at a menu in a restaurant.

Talk About Superstitions

Black cat superstition.

Some cultures believe that black cats bring good luck. Other cultures believe the opposite.

Make Plans

Two people eating at a restaurant.

Give Warnings

Employees closing a restaurant.

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See Also