First Conditional Exercise 3
A1–A2 · BeginnerThis third first conditional exercise includes slightly trickier sentence patterns to push your accuracy further. If you are new to the first conditional, start with exercise 1.
Need a refresher? Review the grammar ↓
Complete each sentence with the correct first conditional form.
1. If Mary _________ now, she will arrive in Perth by 6:00 PM.
Correct answer: leaves — first conditional if-clause — present simple, not will.
2. If we speak more slowly, they _________ us.
Correct answer: will understand — first conditional result — will + base form.
3. If my mom buys me that dress, I _________ it tonight.
Correct answer: will wear — first conditional result — will + base form.
4. If my neighbor is too loud, I ________ him to be quieter.
Correct answer: will tell — first conditional result — will + base form.
5. If you ________ this flavor of ice cream, I will give you another one.
Correct answer: don't like — first conditional if-clause — present simple negative, not won't.
6. You will feel sick if you ________ eating candy.
Correct answer: don't stop — first conditional if-clause — present simple negative, not won't.
7. I ________ a new flashlight if my old one stops working.
Correct answer: will buy — first conditional result — will + base form.
8. If the taxi ________ soon, we will miss our flight.
Correct answer: doesn't come — first conditional if-clause — present simple negative, not won't.
9. I ________ to bed if I feel tired.
Correct answer: will go — first conditional result — will + base form.
10. Will you be upset if I ________ to the concert with you?
Correct answer: don't go — first conditional if-clause — present simple negative, not won't.
Finished this series? Try Second Conditional — Exercise 1 →.
GRAMMAR REVIEW: First Conditional — The Full Picture
You've now completed three first conditional exercises. Here's a consolidated reference covering everything you need to know:
The basic pattern:
If + present simple → will + base verb
If it rains, I will stay home.
Reversed clause order — same meaning, no comma:
I will stay home if it rains.
Negative variations:
If you don't leave now, you'll miss the bus. (not "won't leave")
If she studies, she won't fail. (negative result = won't)
First vs second conditional — the key difference:
First conditional = the situation is real and possible:
If I find my keys, I'll drive you. (I might actually find them)
Second conditional = the situation is hypothetical or unlikely:
If I found a million dollars, I'd quit my job. (not likely to happen)
This distinction is one of the most tested grammar points at B1/B2 level — and the focus of our First or Second Conditional? exercises.
DID YOU KNOW? Conditional sentences in English proficiency exams
Conditional sentences are tested at every level of English proficiency — but the type of conditional tested shifts as you move up the levels. At A2/B1, examiners expect accurate first conditional usage. At B2, the focus shifts to distinguishing first from second conditional and using unless, provided that, and as long as as alternatives to if. At C1/C2, complex mixed conditionals and inversion structures like "Were I to leave now, I'd miss the meeting" come into play.
In Cambridge B2 First, conditional sentences appear in the Use of English Part 4 (sentence transformations) almost every exam — it's one of the most reliably tested structures. A common transformation task: rewrite "Study hard or you'll fail" using unless → "Unless you study hard, you'll fail."
Getting the first conditional completely right at this stage means one less thing to worry about as you move toward the trickier second and third conditionals — which are covered in the other exercises linked above.
You've now completed three first conditional exercises. Here's a consolidated reference covering everything you need to know:
The basic pattern:
If + present simple → will + base verb
If it rains, I will stay home.
Reversed clause order — same meaning, no comma:
I will stay home if it rains.
Negative variations:
If you don't leave now, you'll miss the bus. (not "won't leave")
If she studies, she won't fail. (negative result = won't)
First vs second conditional — the key difference:
First conditional = the situation is real and possible:
If I find my keys, I'll drive you. (I might actually find them)
Second conditional = the situation is hypothetical or unlikely:
If I found a million dollars, I'd quit my job. (not likely to happen)
This distinction is one of the most tested grammar points at B1/B2 level — and the focus of our First or Second Conditional? exercises.
DID YOU KNOW? Conditional sentences in English proficiency exams
Conditional sentences are tested at every level of English proficiency — but the type of conditional tested shifts as you move up the levels. At A2/B1, examiners expect accurate first conditional usage. At B2, the focus shifts to distinguishing first from second conditional and using unless, provided that, and as long as as alternatives to if. At C1/C2, complex mixed conditionals and inversion structures like "Were I to leave now, I'd miss the meeting" come into play.
In Cambridge B2 First, conditional sentences appear in the Use of English Part 4 (sentence transformations) almost every exam — it's one of the most reliably tested structures. A common transformation task: rewrite "Study hard or you'll fail" using unless → "Unless you study hard, you'll fail."
Getting the first conditional completely right at this stage means one less thing to worry about as you move toward the trickier second and third conditionals — which are covered in the other exercises linked above.
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