First Conditional Verb: Definition, Rules & Usage

First conditional verb is among the four different forms of indefinite sentences in English and it is probably most widely used. The first conditional verb forms are used to express the future events of realistic possibilities now or in the future. For example:  if I missed the flight, I will take the next one. Here, there is a fifty percent probability that the first part of the sentence (action that is following) will happen. And if it happens, the second part of the sentence is 100% certain. 

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First Condition Verbs Structure

First condition is a structure used for talking about possibilities in the present or the near future. The first conditional is used to talk about the things which are possible in the present or future things that may materialize.

To write a sentence in first conditional verbs, we use the following structure:

First Conditional Verbs Rules

Following are the different first conditional verbs rules:

Affirmative Sentence Structure: If + Present Simple, Subject  + Will + Base Form of the Verb + Complement + (.)

Example:

• If Harry drinks juice, he will get sick.

Negative Sentence Structure: If + Present Simple, Subject +  Will + Not + Base Form of the Verb + Complement + (.)

Example:

• If Harry drinks juice, he won’t get sick.

Question Sentence : Wh + Will + Base Form of The Verb + if + Subject + Present Simple + Complement + ?

Example:

• What will happen if you drink juice?

First Conditional with Modal Verbs

Modal verbs may be used in the first conditional sentences. Modal verbs are used in the main clause instead of future tense. First conditional with modal verbs are used to express willingness, permission, possibilities, and suggestions.

First Conditional with Modal Verbs Examples

• If the story is tiresome, you will always leave. (Willingness)

• If you help me with this, I could finish it faster. (Possibilities)

• If he drives faster, we shall reach before the dark. (Possibility)

• If we want to attend a party on time, we should hire a taxi.(Suggestions)

First Conditional Tenses

Following are first conditional tenses that are used while framing a sentence using first conditional verbs:

Whenever we think about a possible situation in the future, we use the following tense:

If + Present Verb, Future Verb

This structure is commonly used when talking about promises, possible plans, threats, warnings, or for persuading someone. We are predicting possible results in the future if a condition is fulfilled.

Structure:

If + Present Tense, WIll/Won’t

• If I go to Dubai next month for a tour, I’ll visit the Burj Khalifa Tower.

• If you take me to the market, I will buy my favorite storybook.

• If it rains, we will hold up the trip.

• If you touch that washing machine, you will get an electric shock.

• If I get time, I will help you with your work.

First conditional sentences can also be framed by reversing the order:

Future Verb + If + Present Tense

• I will be irritated if they do not arrive on time.

• You will miss the airbus if you don't speed up.

• The dog will bite you if you move its tail.

• You will feel relaxed if you take this medicine.

• You will get the best job if you can speak in English. 

First Conditional Verb Form Sentence

In the first conditional sentences, the tense used in the “if '' clause is the simple present and the tense in the main clause is future tense. 

The order of the clauses in all the conditional sentences is not fixed. You may have to regroup the pronouns and adjust punctuations when you change the order of the clauses but the meaning is similar. 

How To Make Negative Sentences With First Conditional Verb Form?

To make negative sentences with the first conditional verb form, we use: Won’t + Infinitive verb in the clause with the simple future.

Example:

• I won’t go to church if it rains.

• I won’t need the bicycle if my friend comes to pick me up.

In the if + simple present tense, just add don’t or doesn’t while framing a sentence.

Example:

• I’ll go to school if it doesn’t rain.

• I will need the bicycle if my friend doesn’t come to pick me up.

Note: If you are using the if clause, you don’t need a helping verb “do”.

Example:

• If Harry isn’t sick, he will go to school.

The meaning of a sentence will be quite different if you make if + simple present part negative, or the will + infinitive part negative.

Example:

• If Harry isn’t sick, he will go to school.

• If Harry is sick, he will not go to school.

• If the child doesn’t sleep with me, I will sleep well.

• If the child sleeps with me, I won’t sleep well.

Sometimes both the parts in the first conditional sentences can be negative because each part has a subject and a verb.

• We won’t get the car prepared if we don’t have sufficient money.

• If Harry isn’t free tomorrow, we won’t invite her to the party.

First Conditional Verb Form Examples:

Following are few first conditional verb form examples:

• If I go out tonight, I’ll go to the barroom.

• If you get back late, I will be hungry.

• If we don’t see each other tomorrow, we'll see each other next week.

• If we wait here, we’ll be late.

• If I don’t go to bed early, I’ll be late tomorrow.

• If the weather doesn’t improve, we won’t go out tonight.

• I’ll come early if you want.

• She’ll stay in America if she gets the desired job.

• If she performs well in the interview, she’ll get a promotion.

• If I have sufficient money, I'll go on a vacation.