Grammar Practice Worksheets

First Conditional
Table of Contents
2 Grammar Notes
First Conditional

4 Exercise 1
Multiple-Choice

5 Exercise 2
Fill in the Blanks

6 Exercise 3
Matching

6 Exercise 4
Complete the Sentences

7 Exercise 5
Negative Sentences

8 Exercise 6
Scrambled Sentences

9 Exercise 7
Superstitions

10 Exercise 8
Survey

11 Exercise 9
Quiz

12 Answer Key

14 Extra Practice I
Sentence Strips

15 Extra Practice II
Conditional Comparison Chart

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 First Conditional
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Grammar Notes
FIRST CONDITIONAL

A. Introduction to Conditionals

Conditionals are used to express a hypothetical situation. This is when you

don’t know if something will happen or not, so you make a guess about
what the result might be. There are four conditional patterns in the English
language, and they usually involve an “if” clause. This lesson will focus
on the first conditional, also known as the real conditional.

B. The First Conditional

Tip #1
Pattern: If + present, will + base verb The verb in the if clause is a simple present verb, and
the verb in the main clause is will + the base form of
Use: The first conditional shows a likely or
the verb. A sentence can begin with either clause with
possible outcome that will probably happen
no change in meaning. Remember that a sentence
if a certain condition is met. that begins with an if clause is followed by a comma.

• If it’s sunny tomorrow, they will go to the beach.

• They will go to the beach if it’s sunny tomorrow.

Examples

Sentences Condition Outcome Explanation

• If I study for the test,

I will get a good grade. Studying makes it likely
studying good grade that I will get a good grade
• I will get a good grade on the test.
if I study for the test.

• If Mr. Smith has a second cup of coffee,

he will probably be late for work. Having another cup of
second cup
late for work coffee makes it possible
• Mr. Smith will probably be late for of coffee
that Mr. Smith will be late.
work if he has a second cup of coffee.

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Grammar Notes cont.

B. The First Conditional cont.

Examples cont.

Sentences Condition Outcome Explanation

• If they rehearse a lot, they’ll be ready Rehearsing makes it

for their concert next weekend. ready for likely that they will be
rehearsing
• They’ll be ready for their concert concert ready to play at their
next weekend if they rehearse a lot. upcoming concert.

• If she doesn’t buy a new suit, she won’t Not buying a new
have anything to wear to the interview. something to
suit means she won’t
new suit wear to the
• She won’t have anything to wear to the have an appropriate
interview
interview if she doesn’t buy a new suit. interview outfit.

Tip #2 Tip #3 Tip #4

It is possible to have a negative The verb in the if clause will Though not as common, it is
verb in the if clause, the main end in -s if the subject is third possible to use be going to
clause, or both. The contraction person singular. + base verb or the present
of will not is won’t. progressive (which are the
• If she watches that sad
two other ways of forming the
• If I don’t pass this test, my movie, she will cry.
simple future in English) in
parents will be very angry.
• She will cry if she watches place of will + base verb with no
• If I forget to water the plants, that sad movie. change in meaning.
they won’t survive.
For example, these sentences
• If I’m not late for work again, all have the same meaning:
I won’t have to look for
• If it doesn’t rain,
another job.
we will go for a walk.
(will + V)

• If it doesn’t rain, we are

going to go for a walk.
(be going to + V)

• If it doesn’t rain, we
are going for a walk.
(be + -ing V)

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 First Conditional
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Exercise 1
MULTIPLE-CHOICE

Circle the best answer.

Ex. My mother will be angry if 3. She will do the exercise again 6. She will marry him
I     late for school again. if she      a lot if he      her.
of mistakes.
a) be a) will ask
b) is a) will make b) ask
c) am b) makes c) asks
c) make
1. If she goes to the birthday 7. If we go out tonight,
party on Sunday, 4. If they practice a lot, we      the door.
she      a present. they      the game
a) will lock
next weekend.
a) takes b) locks
b) will take a) wins c) lock
c) take b) win
c) will win 8. I will make a sandwich
2. I      the doctor if my if I      hungry.
stomach still hurts tomorrow. 5. I will take my umbrella
a) is
if it      tomorrow.
a) will call b) will be
b) called a) rains c) am
c) call b) raining
c) will rain

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 First Conditional
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Exercise 2
FILL IN THE BLANKS

Fill in the blanks using the correct form of the verb provided.

goes
Ex. If Robert               will sleep in
to bed late tonight, he               .
(go) (sleep in)

1. If he               , he               his bus.

(sleep in) (miss)

2. If he               the bus, he               late for work.

(miss) (be)

3. If he               late for work, his boss               angry.

(be) (be)

4. If Robert’s boss               angry, he               him.

(be) (fire)

5. If Robert               his job, his girlfriend               upset with him.
(lose) (get)

6. If Robert’s girlfriend               upset again, she               with him.

(get) (break up)

7. If she               with him, he               lonely.

(break up) (be)

8. If Robert               lonely, he               some friends.

(feel) (call)

9. If Robert               his friends, they               him to their party.

(call) (ask)

10. If Robert               to the party, he               too much beer.

(go) (drink)

11. If Robert               too much beer, he               a ride home.

(drink) (need)

12. If Robert               a ride home, he               stay until the end of the party.
(need) (have to)

13. If Robert               until the end of the party, he               home very late.
(stay) (get)

14. If Robert               home late, he               to bed late.

(get) (go)

And you know what will happen if Robert goes to bed late again!

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Exercise 3
MATCHING

Match the first part of the sentence on the left with the most
logical ending on the right. Each choice can only be used once.

h 1. If you eat too much candy... a)  if you babysit your little sister tonight.
2. If you don’t study... b)  the teacher will keep you in after class.
3. You will have bad dreams... c)  I won’t let you have any dessert.
4. If you eat lots of vegetables... d)  I will buy you a treat.
5. You will burn yourself... e)  you will be healthy.
6. If you are late for school... f)  you will play beautifully.
7. If you practice the piano every night... g)  you will fail your exam.
8. If you don’t finish your dinner... h)  your teeth will hurt.
9. If you behave nicely... i)  if you watch a scary movie before bed.
10. I will pay you ten dollars... j)  if you play with matches.

Exercise 4
COMPLETE THE SENTENCES

Complete the following sentences using your own words.

you eat that entire pizza.

Ex. You won’t feel good if                                          

1. If you don’t water the plants,                                       

2. If you wash your wool clothes in hot water,                                   

3. If you eat too many sweets,                                         

4. If you don’t wear sunscreen,                                         

5. I will read you a bedtime story if                                       

6. You will be punished if                                           

7. If you drive too fast,                                            

8. You’ll be tired in the morning if                                        

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Exercise 5
NEGATIVE SENTENCES

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb provided.

won’t play
Ex. We               rains
tennis tomorrow if it               .
(not/play) (rain)

1. She               the children play in the house if they               too much noise.
(let) (not/make)

2. If we               , we               our plane.

(not/hurry) (miss)

3. The bee               you if you               .

(not/sting) (not/move)

4. If you               more loudly, no one               you.

(not/speak) (hear)

5. We               late if we               the car.

(be) (not/take)

6. If it               hot tomorrow, we               to the beach.

(not/be) (not/go)

7. If you               your umbrella, you               wet.

(not/take) (get)

8. You               your test if you               harder.

(not/pass) (not/study)

9. If he               a job soon, she               him.

(not/find) (not/marry)

10. They               you if you               you’re sorry.

(not/forgive) (not/say)

11. The bank               you money if you               a good job.
(not/lend) (not/have)

12. If you              your room, your mother              you go to the movie tonight.
(not/clean) (not/let)

13. If you               smoking, you               sick.

(not/quit) (get)

14. You               to sleep if you               that horror movie.

(not/be able) (watch)

15. If you               your alarm clock, you               up on time.

(not/set) (not/wake)

16. You               if you               .

(not/improve) (not/practice)

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Exercise 6
SCR AMBLED SENTENCES

A. Main Clause + If Clause B. If Clause + Main Clause

Put the words in the correct order to make conditional Put the words in the correct order to make conditional
sentences. Start each sentence with the main clause. sentences. Start each sentence with the if clause.

Ex. works will she hard boss give a the raise if her Ex. works will she hard boss give a the raise if her

   The boss will give her a raise if she works hard.    If she works hard, the boss will give her a raise.

1. we if is cancel the bad will the weather game 1. if put will in fridge you the go don’t milk the it sour

2. she car if will doesn’t take the start bus her 2. garden don’t plants if grow the water the won’t you

3. I am your will if come to I not party busy 3. next beach go the sunny we if weekend it’s will to

4. if will umbrella it take rains I an 4. we if sold concert too out long wait the be will

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Exercise 7
SUPERSTITIONS

Many cultures have similar superstitions. For example:

• If you break a mirror, you will have seven years of bad luck.
• If you pull out a gray hair, ten more will grow in its place.

A. Matching

Work with a partner or in small groups. Read the first part of the
superstitions and try to match them with the correct endings. If you have
never heard of these superstitions, use your imagination and have fun!

1. If you step on a crack, a)  you will have to pay someone a lot of money.
2. If your right eye twitches, b)  you will soon be kissed by a fool.
3. If the bottom of your foot itches, c)  your house will burn down.
4. If you blow out all the candles
d)  there will soon be a birth in your family.
on your birthday cake in one blow,
5. If the palm of your left hand itches, e)  you will never marry.

6. If you are a bridesmaid three times, f)  it will keep the doctor away.
7. If a bee enters your house, g)  your wish will come true.
8. If you say goodbye to a friend on a bridge, h)  you will know how many children you will have.
9. If you see a swarm of bees on your roof,
i)  you will soon have a visitor.
10. If your nose itches,
j)  you will break your mother’s back.
11. If you eat an apple every day,
k)  you will never see each other again.
12. If you cut an apple in half and
count how many seeds are inside, l)  you will take a trip soon.

B. Writing

Write three superstitions from your own culture using the first conditional.

1.

2.

3.

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Exercise 8
SURVEY

Work in small groups. Complete the chart below by asking three of your
classmates the following questions. Answer using the first conditional.

# Question

If you go to a restaurant this

1
weekend, what will you order?

If the teacher gives a lot of

2 homework tonight, will you
have time to finish it?

If the weather is beautiful on

3
the weekend, what will you do?

If you catch a bad cold this week,

4
what will you do/take for it?

If you go to a movie this

5
weekend, what will you see?

If you watch TV tonight,

6
what will you watch?

If you take a trip soon,

7
where will you go?

If you buy a new boat,

8
what color will it be?

If you have dessert tonight,

9
what will you have?

If you visit a friend this

10
week, who will it be?

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Exercise 9
QUIZ

Choose the best answer for each question.

1. If you     carefully, 5. If he     a pizza, he 9. My coworkers     the

you’ll know what to do. will eat the whole thing. report today if they finish it.

a) will think a) orders a) hands in 

b) think b) will order b) hand in
c) thinks c) order c) will hand in

2. If she goes out tonight, she 6. They     out for dinner if 10. If that painting is still for sale,
    it tomorrow morning. there is no food in the house. we     it.

a) regret a) will go a) buy

b) regrets b) goes b) will buy
c) will regret c) go c) buys

3. I will send you a postcard if 7. If the weather is bad, 11. If their grandmother     ,
you     me your address. we     the picnic. they will sing a song to her.

a) give a) cancel a) call

b) gives b) will cancel b) will call
c) will give c) cancels c) calls

4. My brother will miss his 8. If I     late, my 12. My manager     about the
appointment if he     late. parents will be angry. meeting if I don’t remind her.

a) will be a) will be a) forgets

b) are b) am b) forget
c) is c) is c) will forget

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Answer Key
LESSON DESCRIPTION: LEVEL: Int

Students learn and practice the first conditional through writing TIME: 2–3 hours
and speaking activities. They will try a sentence matchup task that
TAGS:   conditional, first conditional, real conditional, mood, if,
will get them moving and a cultural activity on superstitions.
present, will, verbs, sentence patterns, grammar

Exercise 1 Exercise 5

1. b 3. b 5. a 7. a 1. will let, don’t make 10. won’t forgive, don’t say

2. a 4. c 6. c 8. c 2. don’t hurry, will miss 11. won’t lend, don’t have
3. won’t sting, don’t move 12. don’t clean, won’t let
Exercise 2 4. don’t speak, will hear 13. don’t quit, will get
5. will be, don’t take 14. won’t be able, watch
1. sleeps in, will miss 8. feels, will call 6. isn’t, won’t go 15. don’t set, won’t wake
2. misses, will be 9. calls, will ask 7. don’t take, will get 16. won’t improve,
3. is, will be 10. goes, will drink 8. won’t pass, don’t study don’t practice
4. is, will fire 11. drinks, will need 9. doesn’t find, won’t marry
5. loses, will get 12. needs, will have to
6. gets, will break up 13. stays, will get Exercise 6
7. breaks up, will be 14. gets, will go
A. MAIN CLAUSE + IF CLAUSE
Exercise 3
1. We will cancel the game if the weather is bad.
2. She will take the bus if her car doesn’t start.
1. h 3. i 5. j 7. f 9. d
3. I will come to your party if I am not busy.
2. g 4. e 6. b 8. c 10. a
4. I will take an umbrella if it rains.

Exercise 4 B. IF CLAUSE + MAIN CLAUSE

Answers will vary. Here are some samples: 1. The milk will go sour if you don’t put it in the fridge.
2. If you don’t water the plants, the garden won’t grow.
1. If you don’t water the plants, they will die.
3. If it’s sunny next weekend, we will go to the beach. /
2. If you wash your wool clothes in hot water, they will shrink.
If it’s sunny, we will go to the beach next weekend.
3. If you eat too many sweets, you will get a stomachache.
4. If we wait too long, the concert will be sold out.
4. If you don’t wear sunscreen, you will get a sunburn.
5. I will read you a bedtime story if
(continued on the next page...)
you get into your pajamas quickly.
6. You will be punished if you behave badly.
7. If you drive too fast, you will get a speeding ticket.
8. You’ll be tired in the morning if you stay up late again.

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Answer Key cont.

Exercise 7 Extra Practice II

A. MATCHING On page 15, you will find a comparison chart with all four
conditional tenses. Comparing all the conditional tenses at
1. j 3. l 5. a 7. i 9. c 11. f
once can be helpful for students to see when and why each
2. d 4. g 6. e 8. k 10. b 12. h
is used. If you think your students can handle it, present the
chart before or after the First Conditional lesson. You can find
B. WRITING
more help and practice on our blog (http://blog.esllibrary.
Answers will vary. Here are some samples: com/2013/03/14/an-easy-way-to-teach-conditionals/) and in our
Grammar Practice Worksheets section (https://esllibrary.com/
1. If a black cat crosses your path, you will have bad luck.
courses/88/lessons). In that section, you’ll find our lessons on
2. If you find a four-leaf clover, you will have good luck.
the Second and Third Conditional.
3. If you walk under a ladder, you will have bad luck.

SPELLING NOTE:
Exercise 8
This lesson shows the American spelling of the words Gray,
Answers will vary. Color, and Practice. Most other English-speaking countries spell
these words this way: Grey, Colour, and Practise (when used as a

Exercise 9 verb, Practice when used as a noun). Make it a challenge for your
students to find these words in the lesson and see if they know
the alternate spellings.
1. b 3. a 5. a 7. b 9. c 11. c
2. c 4. c 6. a 8. b 10. b 12. c

Extra Practice I

On page 14, you will find a page of strips to cut up. Cut the if and
main clauses into strips and give one clause to each student.
Have the students search the room for the matching clause to
complete the sentence (note that there is more than one possibility
in some cases­—you can accept any logical, reasonable match). As
an alternative task, give each pair or group a set of mixed-up strips
and have them arrange all the strips into the correct order. These
tasks would work well as a warm-up to this lesson or for review
later on.

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Extra Practice I
SENTENCE STRIPS

If I set my alarm, I won’t sleep in.

If she gains more weight, she’ll go on a diet.

If they aren’t more careful, they’ll have an accident.

If they have a baby girl, they will name her Maria.

If the police catch the robber, they will take him to jail.

If he has a toothache, he’ll go to the dentist.

If I have a headache, I’ll take some aspirin.

If he starts to lose his hair, he’ll buy a wig.

If our power goes out, we’ll light some candles.

If my car isn’t fixed, I’ll have to take the bus.

If you don’t wear a coat, you might catch a cold.

If there isn’t any snow, we won’t be able to go skiing.

If he’s late for work again, his boss will fire him.

If we don’t hurry, we’ll miss our bus.

If they don’t have enough money for the car, they’ll borrow some from the bank.

If you don’t pay attention in class, you won’t understand the lesson.

If the floor is wet, you might slip.

If you aren’t satisfied with your purchase, the store will give you your money back.

If I send the parcel by airmail, it will arrive much faster.

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Extra Practice II
CONDITIONAL COMPARISON CHART

Name Form Time Function Example

Use this conditional to show • If he takes vitamins every day,

an outcome that happens he doesn’t get sick.
Zero Conditional If + present, present Present
if a specific repeated • He doesn’t get sick if he
condition is met. takes vitamins every day.

Use this conditional to show • If she studies for the test,

First Conditional Present/ a likely or possible outcome she will get a good grade.
If + present, will + verb
(Real Conditional) Future that will probably happen if • She will get a good grade
a specific condition is met. if she studies for the test.

Unlikely situation
Use this conditional to show • If he won the lottery, he would quit his job.
an unlikely or impossible • He would quit his job if he won the lottery.
Second Conditional Present/
If + past, would + verb outcome that probably
(Unreal Conditional) Future Impossible situation
wouldn’t happen (unless a
specific condition were met). • If I had wings, I would fly to Antarctica.
• I would fly to Antarctica if I had wings.

• If I had remembered to call my

Use this conditional to show
friend last night, she wouldn’t
a past regret or different
If + had + p.p., have sent me an angry text message.
Third Conditional Past outcome that would have
would + have + p.p. • My friend wouldn’t have sent
happened if a specific
me an angry text message if I had
condition had been met.
remembered to call her last night.

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