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B1 Intermediate
B1 grammar contents
B1Conditionals

First conditional and future time clauses

Use present forms in conditions and future time clauses to describe realistic future outcomes.

Overview

What this grammar does

Use present forms in conditions and future time clauses to describe realistic future outcomes.

Form and rules

How it works

1

First conditional commonly uses if + present, will + base verb for a realistic future possibility.

2

Other result modals are possible: If you finish early, you can leave.

3

After when, as soon as, before, after, until and unless with future meaning, use present forms rather than will.

4

Use present perfect in a future time clause when completion matters: I'll call you when I've finished.

5

Unless means if not; avoid adding another negative unless the meaning truly requires it.

A closer look

Meaning and use

Use present perfect in a future time clause when completion matters: I'll call you when I've finished.

Unless means if not; avoid adding another negative unless the meaning truly requires it.

Examples

See the pattern in complete sentences

If sales improve, we'll hire more staff.

Call me when you arrive.

I'll send it as soon as I've checked it.

You can leave early if you finish everything.

Unless we hurry, we'll miss the train.

Common mistakes

What to avoid

If she will arrive early, we'll have time for coffee.
If she arrives early, we'll have time for coffee.

The realistic condition uses present simple.

I'll let you know when I will have made after when a decision.
I'll let you know when I have made a decision.

Present perfect can show completion before the future result.

Ready to practise?

The test combines multiple choice, gap completion, error correction, and sentence building so students have to recognise and produce the grammar, not simply reread the rule.