Grammar to go!

Oxford Living Grammar

Pre-intermediate

16 Conditionals
First conditional
1 Some examples of first conditional sentences:
I’ll phone you later if I have time.
If you leave now, you won’t be late.
2 The first conditional pattern is:
if + subject + present simple + subject + will
those actions and situations. The
‘if’ part of the sentence contains a
possible action or situation, and
the ‘will/won’t’ part of the sentence
contains the result:
If you run, you’ll catch the bus.

If I pass my exams, I’ll go to university. 2 We use the first conditional when

We use a comma (,) after the ‘if’ part of the sentence in
this pattern.
The if clause can come second:
I’ll go to university if I pass my exams.
We can use negative verbs in the same patterns:
If I don’t pass my exams, I won’t go to university.
I won’t go to university if I fail my exams.
We can form questions with all these patterns:
What will you do if you don’t pass your exams?
Remember to use the present simple (NOT will/
TIP
we are talking about possibilities
immediately after the present
moment:
You’ll be late for work if you don’t
get up now.
We also use the first conditional when we are
imagining and talking about possibilities a long time
in the future. Here, a child imagines life as an adult:
If I make a lot of money, I’ll live in a big house.
3 We can use may/might for the result, to say that the
result is only possible, not certain:

If I post this letter today, it might get there tomorrow.

won’t) after if in a first conditional sentence:
If I pass … (NOT if I will pass)
If I don’t pass … (NOT if I won’t pass)
Grammar in action
1 We use the first conditional to talk about possible
actions and situations in the future, and the results of
We can use should for the result, to say that the result
is probable but not certain:
If I post this letter today, they should get it before the
end of the week.
We can use an imperative for the result, to give an
instruction or advice:
Here’s my card – if you need any help, give me a ring.

A Possibilities in my future
Complete this email from one friend to another by putting in the correct positive or negative
forms of the verbs in brackets. Use the present simple or will/won’t. Use short forms.

Thanks for your message, it was great to hear your news. I’m very busy at the moment because my
exams start next week. If I get 0
(get) the right grades, I ‘ll start 0
(start) my university
course in September. But if I don't do 1
(do) well enough in them, I won't be able to 2 (be able to)
go to that university. So I’m working very hard.
Thanks for inviting me to come and stay with you during the summer. I 'll do 3
(do) it
if the flights aren't 4
(be) too expensive. I’m planning to get a job for a few weeks and I
'll save 5
(save) enough money to come if I find 6
(find) one. It will be 7
(be) a
pity if we don't see 8
(see) each other, so I’ll do my best.
Other news? Well, the weather’s terrible here at the moment. If it doesn't improve 9 (improve), I think
I 'll go 10
(go) mad! I hope you’re OK. If you write 11
(write) to me again soon, I
'll reply 12
(reply) as quickly as I can.

62 | Verb forms and structures

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 Grammar to go! Oxford Living Grammar Pre-intermediate

B What might happen tonight

Judy and Brian are getting ready to go out for the evening. Complete their

WORD
FOCUS
conversation, using the words below it and the present simple or will/won’t. Find verbs in the
words below exercise
JUDY If you don’t hurry 0 , we won't get 1
to the restaurant on time. B that have these
meanings:
BRIAN Well, it won't matter 2
if we are 3
a bit late. Don’t worry about it.
A arrive (phrasal verb)
JUDY I am worried. What will the others do 4
if we are not 5
there?
BRIAN I’m sure they won't panic 6
if they have to 7
wait for us for a few minutes. B do something quickly
JUDY But it’s a very important evening. It’s Frank’s birthday and people will be 8

angry with us if we don't turn up 9

on time. C become extremely
BRIAN Look, I’m nearly ready. If you keep 10
calm, everything will be 11
fine. worried or frightened

JUDY Do you think that Frank is going to make a speech? D be annoyed,

BRIAN If he makes 12
a speech, everyone will be 13
embarrassed, I’m sure. disapprove
JUDY Why? If he wants 14
to make a speech on his special day,
nobody will mind 15
. If he tells 16
his funny stories, E be important
we will laugh 17
.
BRIAN You might laugh. But if he talks 18
about things that happened when
he and I were small children, I will have to 19
leave the room!
0 you/not hurry 7 they/have to 14 he/want
1 we/not get 8 people/be 15 nobody/mind
2 it/not matter 9 we/not turn up 16 he/tell
3 we/be 10 you/keep 17 we/laugh
4 the others/do 11 everything/be 18 he/talk
5 we/not be 12 he/make 19 I/have to
6 they/not panic 13 everyone/be

C If you visit this city …

Match the second halves of the tips from a travel guide (a–i) giving advice to tourists
visiting a city with the beginning of each sentence (1–8). Write the letters of the
correct sentence endings in the spaces.
0 If you book accommodation early, a you might like to climb to the top of
i the cathedral tower.
1 If you get lost in the city, d b you should be able to get tickets
2 If you visit the Central Museum, easily.
g c some of the tourist attractions might
3 If you want to go to the opera, not be open.
b d don’t panic.
4 If you go to the market, f e you shouldn’t have to queue at
5 If you want to avoid the crowds, museums and art galleries.
h f you might find some good souvenirs.
6 If you buy a tourist pass, e g go straight to the third floor.
7 If you feel energetic one day, h don’t come at the height of the
a tourist season.
8 If you come here in the winter, i you shouldn’t have difficulty getting
c a good hotel.

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