If it rains… (not "if it will")
First conditional
For a real chance in the future: if + the present, then will: If it rains, we'll stay in.
- If it rains, we'll stay in.
- I'll call you as soon as I get home.
- If you don't hurry, you'll miss the bus.
Spanish uses the present after «si», like English: «si llueve, nos quedamos» is If it rains, we'll stay in (never if it will rain).
When you talk about the future, the if half (and the half with when or as soon as) takes the present: If it rains, we'll stay in. Questions are different (When will you be home?), and so is if meaning whether (I don't know if he'll come).
Also on this page: when and as soon as · unless · If I had… (the second conditional)
Try 6
Six quick questions, easiest first. At the end you'll see which mistake you make.
- I'll call you as soon as I ______ the test results.am going to get · get · would get · will get
- If you ______ enough sleep, you'll recover from the flu faster.got · would get · will get · get
- If you eat well and stay active, you ______ strong.would stay · will stay · stayed · are staying
- If I ______ ill tomorrow, I'll stay at home.feel · will feel
- If you ______ after the run, your legs will feel stiff.won't cool down · don't cool down · didn't cool down
- If my brother ______ over his cough soon, he'll join the football team again.would get · got · gets · will get
- If Maria ______ in this heat, we'll call a doctor.passes out · will pass out · would pass out · passed out
- If this trend ______, fewer teenagers will learn to write by hand.continues · will continue · continued
- If you ______ before the match, you might hurt your leg.didn't warm up · don't warm up · won't warm up
- If you don't hand in the report by Friday, your teacher ______ very unhappy.would be · will be · was
- If the doctor ______ me to rest, I'll take a week off work.advised · advises · would advise
- If you eat less sugar, your teeth ______ healthier.would be · were · will be
Show the answers
- getnot will get: will after if, when or as soon asnot would get: would for a real chancenot am going to get: will after if, when or as soon as
- getnot got: the past after if, with will in the other halfnot will get: will after if, when or as soon asnot would get: would for a real chance
- will staynot would stay: would for a real chance
- feelnot will feel: will after if, when or as soon as
- don't cool downnot won't cool down: will after if, when or as soon asnot didn't cool down: the past after if, with will in the other half
- getsnot got: the past after if, with will in the other halfnot will get: will after if, when or as soon asnot would get: would for a real chance
- passes outnot passed out: the past after if, with will in the other halfnot will pass out: will after if, when or as soon asnot would pass out: would for a real chance
- continuesnot continued: the past after if, with will in the other halfnot will continue: will after if, when or as soon as
- don't warm upnot won't warm up: will after if, when or as soon asnot didn't warm up: the past after if, with will in the other half
- will benot would be: would for a real chance
- advisesnot advised: the past after if, with will in the other halfnot would advise: would for a real chance
- will benot would be: would for a real chance
Common mistakes on this point
Not: If it will rain, we'll stay in.
Say: If it rains, we'll stay in.
After if, when and as soon as, use the present for the future: if it rains, as soon as I get home. (Questions, and if meaning whether, are different: When will you…? I don't know if he'll…)
See this mistake on its own page ›Not: If you eat well, you would stay strong.
Say: If you eat well, you'll stay strong.
For a real chance in the future: if + the present, and will in the other half. would goes with if + the past (If I ate better, I'd feel stronger).
See this mistake on its own page ›Not: If you got enough sleep, you'll feel better.
Say: If you get enough sleep, you'll feel better.
When both halves are about the future, the if half takes the present: If you get…, you'll…
See this mistake on its own page ›