Conditional type one is a simple grammatical structure commonly used in both tests and daily communication. In this article, let's learn in detail about the definition, form, and its use in context so you can better understand all the rules of the first type of conditional sentences.
1. What is the conditional sentence type 1?
We use conditional sentence type 1 to predict actions, events, and situations that may happen in the future when a specific condition has occurred first.
Example of if-clause type 1:
The dog will hide if he sees a cat.
I will be famous if I get a role in the film.
If it doesn't rain tomorrow, we will go to the beach.
2. Form of the sentence “If type 1”
Like other conditional sentences, “1st type of conditional clause” sentences include two clauses. One If clause describes the condition "if", and the other describes the main clause "then", indicating what will happen.
If clause (If) | Main clause (Then) |
|---|---|
If + S + V(s, es) …, | S + will + V |
Note:
The conditional clause (If) stands in the first or second clause of the sentence.
If the If-clause type 1 comes first, there must be a comma “,” between the two clauses.
You can replace “If not” with “Unless” in negative conditional sentences.
3. Inversion form of conditional sentence type one
In conditional sentences, inversion indicates politeness, request or asking for something.
To be | Other verbs |
|---|---|
Should + S + (not) + be + … | Should + S + (not) + V + … |
Examples: If you are regularly late to work, you won’t get a bonus this month. → Should you be regularly late to work, you won’t get a bonus this month. | Examples:
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4. Use of conditional type one
Predict actions, situations, and events that may happen in the present or future. | If I get up early, I’ll go to work on time.
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Indicate a goal, suggestion or request | If you have some free time this weekend, we can go to the beach.
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Indicate a warning or threat | If you continue to be late for work, you will be fired.
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5. Variations of conditional sentence type 1
Variation of main clause
Variation of main clause | Examples |
|---|---|
Use modal verbs (may/can) to express agreement and approval | If Jenny comes, John may sign the contract.
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Use the future continuous or perfect to emphasise the state of the event taking place or being completed. | If Anna learns Japanese today, she will have the opportunity to study in Japan next year.
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Use conditional sentence type 1 with "would like to/must/have to/should" to indicate suggestions, recommendations, and advice. | If Sara wants to get the promotion, she should work harder.
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Variation of If clause
Variation of If clause | Examples |
|---|---|
Use the present continuous tense to describe actions in progress | If you are looking for Molly, you'll find her upstairs in her room.
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Use the present perfect in the If clause when you are not sure about the time of the action | If I've finished writing my paper by tonight, I'll go out with my friends. |
Use “will” in the If clause to make a request | If Anna will just wait a moment, John’ll find someone to help her. |
The simple present tense can be used in both clauses. | Give it to Jenny if you meet her. |
Read more:
6. Exercises for conditional sentence type 1 (with answers)
Exercise 1: write Type 1 conditional sentences with the following hints
1. she/ pass / Linda / If / the exam / will / studies / harder.
2. will / you / If / come / the party / to / play / we / together.
3. the bus / If / catch / late / won’t / at / school / be / we / on time.
4. If / rains / tomorrow / it / picnic / have / won’t / we / a.
5. the movie / the tickets / If / buy, / we / can / watch.
6. the cake / finish, / we / can / eat / If / dinner / early, / for dessert.
7. the train / catch, / If / we / won’t / be / on time / for the meeting.
8. the party / bring / If / snacks, / everyone / will / enjoy / the.
9. the invitation / receive, / If / we / attend / the event.
10. Hung / helps / If / Lan, / she / be / grateful.
Exercise 2: put the correct verb form in brackets, using conditional structure type one.
1. If you (send) ......................... this letter now, she (receive) ......................... it tomorrow.
2. If I (do) ......................... this test, I (improve) ......................... my English.
3. If I (find) ......................... your ring, I (give) ......................... it back to you.
4. Peggy (go) ......................... shopping if she (have) ......................... time in the afternoon.
5. Simon (go) ......................... to London next week if he (get) ......................... a cheap flight.
6. If her boyfriend (not/phone) ......................... today, she (leave) ......................... him.
7. If they (not/study/) ......................... harder, they (not/pass) ......................... the exam.
8. If it (rain) ......................... tomorrow, I (not/have to) ......................... water the plants.
9. You (not/be able) ......................... to sleep if you (watch) ......................... this scary film.
10. Susan (can/not/move) ......................... into the new house if it (not/be) ......................... ready on time.
Exercise 3: rewrite the following sentences using inversion with “should”
1. If you finish your chores, you can go out to play.
2. If Hung studies hard, he will pass the exam.
3. If it doesn’t rain, Le will have a picnic in the park.
4. If they come to the party, we will have a great time.
5. If Linh doesn’t eat your vegetables, she won’t get dessert.
6. If she doesn’t finish her homework, she won’t be allowed to play outside.
7. If they don’t clean their room, they won’t be able to watch TV.
8. If he doesn’t help with the chores, he won’t get pocket money.
Answers
Exercise 1: write Type 1 conditional sentences with the following hints
1. If Linda studies harder, she will pass the exam.
2. If you come to the party, we will play together.
3. If we catch the bus late, we won’t be at school on time.
4. If it rains tomorrow, we won’t have a picnic.
5. If we buy the tickets, we can watch the movie.
6. If we finish dinner early, we can eat the cake for dessert.
7. If we don’t catch the train, we won’t be on time for the meeting.
8. If you bring snacks to the party, everyone will enjoy them.
9. If we receive the invitation, we will attend the event.
10. If Hùng helps Lan, she will be grateful.
Exercise 2: put the correct verb form in brackets, using conditional structure type one.
1. If you send this letter now, she will receive it tomorrow.
2. If I do this test, I will improve my English.
3. If I find your ring, I will give it back to you.
4. Peggy will go shopping if she has time in the afternoon.
5. Simon will go to London next week if he gets a cheap flight.
6. If her boyfriend does not phone today, she will leave him.
7. If they do not study harder, they will not pass the exam.
8. If it rains tomorrow, I will not have to water the plants.
9. You will not be able to sleep if you watch this scary film.
10. Susan cannot move into the new house if it is not ready on time.
Exercise 3: rewrite the following sentences using inversion with “should”
1. Should you finish your chores, you can go out to play.
2. Should Hung study hard, he will pass the exam.
3. Should it not rain, Lệ will have a picnic in the park.
4. Should they come to the party, we will have a great time.
5. Should Linh not eat your vegetables, she won’t get dessert.
6. Should she not finish her homework, she won’t be allowed to play outside.
7. Should they not clean their room, they won’t be able to watch TV.
8. Should he not help with the chores, he won’t get pocket money.
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