Universite d’antananarivo ecole normale superieure

1.1.2.2- First conditional or conditional type one

In this type of conditional sentences the verb in the if clause is in the PRESENT SIMPLE tense whereas the verb in the main clause is in the FUTURE (will/be going to).

Eg: (1) - If it rains, we’ll stay home.
(2) - They are going to dance if they like the music.

 If + S+PRESENT SIMPLE, S+ FUTURE (will/be going to)

The if-clause tells an event which may or may not happen in the future. The main clause tells an event which will happen if the condition is fulfilled. So, when we use the if clause, we are referring to the future time. We can, for example, add an adverb of time to the sentence in example (1).

If it rains, we will stay home tomorrow.

This condition is often called an open condition, or real condition, or a possibility. It is classified in the condition which is probable or likely to happen (Thomson and Martinet, 1986). This means that the event in the main clause will happen if the condition in the if clause is fulfilled. In sentence (2), we find the following situation: They are going to dance (the event in the main clause) if they like the music (the condition in the if clause). For the present time, we do not know whether they will like the music or not. But, if they like it, then they are going to dance. It is worth mentioning that the only one form of first conditional which is taught in Madagascar is the pattern: IF+S+PRESENT SIMPLE, S+WILL.

We use the first conditional to express future plans, contingencies or events which are likely or probable to happen. It is the only one type of future conditional most ESL/EFL texts mention.