Intermediate English · 20 min
First conditional
The point
A real future uses if plus the present, then will. Do not put will in the if clause. The if clause can come second.
Form and use
The first conditional is a real future. The if clause takes a present form. The result takes will plus the base. If it rains, we will stay. Will does not belong in the if clause. If it will rain is the mistake.
Read the full set. If it rains, I will stay. If you come, we will start. If he calls, she will answer. If they arrive, we will begin. If it does not rain, we will go. If she does not call, I will write. I will stay if it rains. We will start if you come. Will you stay if it rains? What will she do if he calls? Unless it rains, we will go. I will call her when I arrive.
The if clause can come first, with a comma, or second, with no comma: we will stay if it rains. The forms stay put. Present stays with if. Will stays in the result. A negative condition uses do not or does not inside the if clause, not will not.
Unless means if not. Unless it rains, we will go. When and if differ. When I arrive, I will call treats the arrival as expected. If I arrive leaves it unsure. Still no will in that first clause.
Don't translate it like this
Don't say
If it will rain, we stay.
Say
If it rains, we will stay.
비가 오면 남겠습니다.
Present in the if clause, will in the result.
Short examples
If it rains, we will stay.
비가 오면 남겠습니다.
We will stay if it rains.
비가 오면 남겠습니다.
If it snows, we will wait.
눈이 오면 기다리겠습니다.
We will start if you arrive.
당신이 오면 시작하겠습니다.
If she does not call, I will write.
그녀가 전화하지 않으면 제가 쓰겠습니다.
Unless the train is late, we will eat.
기차가 늦지 않으면 식사하겠습니다.
When the door opens, I will go in.
문이 열리면 들어가겠습니다.
Will you stay if the room is free?
방이 비면 남겠습니까?
If they agree, she will sign.
그들이 동의하면 그녀가 서명하겠습니다.
I will not leave if you need help.
도움이 필요하면 떠나지 않겠습니다.
Questions
Every question has to be right to close this point.
Answer every question, then check.