CEFR B1Recommended grades: 8–10

First & Second Conditional

01 · Quick explanation

First conditional: a real, possible future (If it rains, I will stay home). Second conditional: an unreal or imaginary situation (If I were rich, I would travel).

02 · Full explanation

First conditional: if + Present Simple, will + base verb. Never use will in the if-clause. Second conditional: if + Past Simple, would + base verb. The past form here does not mean past time; it shows the situation is unreal. With be, use were for all persons (If I were you…). The if-clause can come first (with a comma) or second (no comma).

Real future possibilitiesWarnings and promisesImaginary situationsAdvice: If I were you…

03 · Formula

+1st: If + Present Simple, will + V · 2nd: If + Past Simple, would + V

−If + don't / didn't + V, won't / wouldn't + V

?What will you do if …? · What would you do if …?

04 · Affirmative

+ 1st: If + Present Simple, will + V · 2nd: If + Past Simple, would + V

If you study, you will pass.
If I had time, I would help you.

05 · Negative

− If + don't / didn't + V, won't / wouldn't + V

If it doesn't rain, we won't stay inside.
If he didn't live far, he wouldn't be late.

06 · Question

? What will you do if …? · What would you do if …?

What will you do if you miss the bus?
Would you buy it if it were cheaper?

07 · Examples

ENIf it rains, we will stay at home.
KZЕгер жаңбыр жауса, біз үйде қаламыз.
RUЕсли пойдёт дождь, мы останемся дома.
ENIf you heat ice, it will melt.
KZМұзды жылытсаң, ол ериді.
RUЕсли нагреть лёд, он растает.
ENIf I were you, I would apologise.
KZМен сенің орныңда болсам, кешірім сұрар едім.
RUНа твоём месте я бы извинился.
ENIf we had a car, we would drive to the mountains.
KZКөлігіміз болса, тауға барар едік.
RUЕсли бы у нас была машина, мы бы поехали в горы.
ENShe won't come if you don't invite her.
KZШақырмасаң, ол келмейді.
RUОна не придёт, если ты её не пригласишь.

08 · Signal words

ifunlessif I were youwill / won'twould / wouldn't

09 · Common mistakes

✗ If it will rain, we will stay home.
✓ If it rains, we will stay home.
No will in the if-clause of the first conditional.
✗ If I would have money, I would buy it.
✓ If I had money, I would buy it.
Second conditional: if + Past Simple, not would.
✗ If I was you, I would go.
✓ If I were you, I would go.
In advice, use were: If I were you.

10 · Compare with similar grammar

First vs Second Conditional

Use the first for things that can really happen; use the second for things that are unlikely or impossible now.

If I win, I will buy a bike. (possible)

If I won, I would buy a yacht. (imaginary)

If she calls, I'll answer.

If she called, I'd answer.

11 · Interactive exercises

Answer each task and press Check. Type answers in English.

0 / 10 · 0 checked

1. Choose the correct answer:
If you ___ hard, you will pass the exam.
2. Choose the correct answer:
If I ___ a bird, I would fly.
3. Choose the correct answer:
If it's sunny tomorrow, we ___ to the park.
4. Choose the correct answer:
What would you do if you ___ a million dollars?
5. Fill in the gap:
If she ___ (miss) the bus, she will be late.
6. Fill in the gap:
If I had more time, I ___ (learn) Chinese.
7. Fill in the gap:
If you don't hurry, you ___ (miss) the train.
8. Fill in the gap:
If he ___ (be) taller, he would play basketball.
9. Correct the sentence:
If it will snow, we will make a snowman.
10. Correct the sentence:
If I would know the answer, I would tell you.

12 · Mini test

Question 1 / 5

Which sentence is correct?

13 · Practice

Choose a skill to practise this topic.

Practice this topic →