Part of the ELS Conditionals Learning Path. Start with the complete conditionals guide, or study the exact area you need below.
Form
Use if + present simple, will + base verb. The if-clause gives the possible condition; the main clause gives its likely future result.
When to use it
Use it when a future situation is genuinely possible, not imaginary.
Examples
If it rains tomorrow, we’ll stay at home.
If you study tonight, you’ll feel more confident.
I’ll call you if I finish early.
If you study tonight, you’ll feel more confident.
I’ll call you if I finish early.
Common mistake
Do not normally put will after if: ❌ If it will rain... ✅ If it rains...
Continue the Conditionals learning path
Zero ConditionalLearn when and how to use the zero conditional for facts, routines and general truths.Second ConditionalUse the second conditional accurately for hypothetical, unlikely and imaginary present or future situations.Third ConditionalLearn the third conditional for unreal past situations, regrets and alternative past results.Mixed ConditionalsUnderstand mixed conditionals when the condition and result refer to different times.Unless, Provided That, As Long As & Other Alternatives to IfGo beyond if: learn unless, provided that, as long as, even if, in case and other conditional linkers.If vs WhenLearn when English uses if and when in conditional and future clauses.If I Were YouUnderstand why English often says “If I were you” and when “was” is possible.Conditional SentencesFix the conditional errors English learners make most often.Conditionals ExercisesPractise all English conditional forms with targeted questions, corrections and answers.Conditionals TestTest zero, first, second, third and mixed conditionals and identify what to study next.
Test before you move on
Use the diagnostic test to find out whether your problem is form, meaning, time reference or conditional linkers.
Take the Conditionals diagnostic →