YOU NEVER KNOW…
1) Where is the man? What is he looking at?
2) What do you think he’s thinking?
3) How do you think he feels? Why?
Grammar First Conditional: If + will/might
Work in groups. Talk about some possible plans for next weekend. Choose things that you're not totally sure about.
What do they depend on?
I’ll probably go for a bike ride on Sunday. It depends on the weather.
I might go to the cinema on Saturday. It depends what’s on.
IT ALL DEPENDS
Read and listen to Holly talking to her school friend, Lewis. Complete the conversation and answer the questions.
1) Is Lewis' brother coming home at the weekend?
2) Is Holly going to her uncle's barbecue?
H: What are you doing this weekend?
L: Er, I think my brother's coming home from university for
the weekend, but he's not sure. If he
1)___________________,I’ll go to the football with him on
Saturday. If he doesn't come, I 2)_______________ video
games with Oliver at his house. What about you?
H: It depends on the weather, If it's nice on Sunday, I 4)
___________go to my uncle's with my parents. He’s having a
barbecue. But I 5)______________ if it rains, I might just stay
at home. I don't like typical English barbecues with umbrellas!
L: Yeah, 1 know what you mean!
GRAMMAR SPOT
1) Look at these First Conditional sentences.
What tense comes after if?
What is the other verb form?
If my brother comes, I’ll go to the football with him.
I won't go to the barbecue if it rains.
How likely is it that these things will happen?
2) Which of these sentences is more sure?
If it's nice, I'll go to the barbecue.
If it’s nice, I might go to the barbecue.
First Conditional
Form
If + Present Simple, will + infinitive without to
Positive and negative form
If I work hard, I’ll pass my exams.
If we don't hurry up, we'll be late.
If you're late, I won't wait for you.
Question form
What will you do if you don't go to university
Short answers
Will you go to university if you pass your exams? Yes, I will.
No, I won’t
Notes:
1) English uses a present tense in the condition clause, not a future form.
If it rains, I’ll stay home. NOT If it will rain.
If I work hard, I’ll pass. NOT If I’ll work hard.
2) The condition clause (if) can come at the beginning of the sentence or at the end. Notice the use of the comma.
,
If I work hard I’ll pass my exams.
I’ll pass my exams if I work hard.
Use
The first conditional is used to express a possible condition and a probable result in the future.
If it’s sunny, we'll go for a picnic.
You'll get wet if you don't take an umbrella.
if and when
if expresses a possibility that something will happen.
When expresses what the speaker sees as certain to happen.
When I get home, I’ll have a shower. Not If I get home.
Might
might + infinitive without to
Might is a modal auxiliary verb. The forms of might are the same for all persons.
He might go to the party,
It might not be late.
We rain tomorrow.
go out for a meal tonight
Note
The negative is often expressed with I don't think + will.
I don't think it'll rain tomorrow.
Question
The inverted question Might you ... ? is unusual. It is very common to ask a question with Do you think +
will
Do you think it'll rain?
they'll come to our party?
Short answer
Do you think it will rain? It might.
Use
Might is used to express a future possibility. It means will, perhaps. It contrasts with will, which
expresses a future certainty.
England will win the match. (I am sure they will.)
England might win the match, (It's possible, but I'm not sure.)
2 Have similar conversations to Holly and Lewis' with your partner. Use the prompts below.
What are you doing this weekend?
1) If / weather / good / go / beach.
2) If / have time / meet / friends / coffee.
3) If / not rain / do some gardening.
4) If / rains / not go out. I / stay in / and watch TV.
5) If / not have /any/ work to do / spend a day in London.
6) If there / good film on / go to the cinema.
12.2 Listen and compare.
3 Talk about the plans you discussed in the Starter again. Make First Conditional sentences with will and
might.
PRACTICE:
12.3 Listen to Holly talking to Lewis about her plans for when she leaves school. What is she sure about?
What isn't she sure about?
What is she sure about? What isn't she sure about?
2. Work with a partner. Make sentences about Holly’s plans using might or going to.
She / go / Liverpool University/or Manchester.
She / definitely / have a gap year.
She / travel round South America.
She / look for work.
She / get a job picking fruit.
She / teach English somewhere.
3. Work in groups of three. Take turns to be L (Lewis), A, or B,
Students A and B use the prompts to give Lewis advice about going to university.
12.4 Listen and check.
Lewis: I can't decide what to study at university - French or economics.
A) If/ French / have to spend a year in France.
B) If/ economics/ it / be more useful in life.
Lewis: I'm not sure where to go, Bristol or Edinburgh.
A) If / Bristol / be nearer home.
B) If / Edinburgh / it / be a new experience!
Lewis: I don't know whether to live on campus or in the city.
A) get to know more people / if/ on campus.
B) learn more about real life / if / city.
Lewis: I don't know whether to get a part-time job or take out a big loan.
A) If / part-time job / have less time to study.
B) If/ a big loan / it / take a long time to pay it back.
Lewis: I'm wondering whether to start next year or have a gap year.
A) not forget what you've learned at school / if / next year.
B) have a wonderful break from studying / if / gap year.
4. Work with a partner. Choose the correct answer.
1) If I see Jack, I might tell/ I’ll tell him I saw you.
2) I’ll help you if I have / I’ll have the time.
3) I might go / I’ll go to Lewis's party. I'm not sure.
4) I’ll collect / I might collect the kids from school if you want.
5) If I’ll get / I get there before you, I’ll wait outside.
6) If you tell me your secret, I won't say / I’ll say a word to anyone.
7) You'll hurt yourself if you might fall / you fall off that chair!
8) If you don't decide soon, I decide / I’ll decide for you!
Advice, warnings, offers, threats.
Complete the First Conditional sentences with the verbs in brackets. Are they advice, offers, warnings, or threats?
1)
3)
4)
5)
