IELTS Future Conditional Sentence Practice

Future Conditional Sentences

The Future Conditional, often called the First Conditional (if + present simple, will + base verb), is used to talk about real or possible situations in the future. For IELTS candidates aiming for a band score of 6.5–7.5, mastering this structure can improve clarity in both writing and speaking. For example, "If she studies hard, she will succeed" shows a clear cause-and-effect relationship.

Rule Explanation

1. Form: If + present simple, will + base form of the verb.
   • Structure: If + subject + verb (present simple), subject + will + verb (base).
   • Example: If it rains, we will stay indoors.
2. Usage: To express likely future events or consequences.
   • Use when the condition is realistic or very possible.
   • You can place the if clause at the end: "We will stay indoors if it rains."

First Conditional (e.g., "If she calls, I will answer") is vital when planning or making predictions based on conditions. In IELTS writing or speaking, clear conditional sentences demonstrate advanced grammatical control.

Examples

• Correct: If the traffic is light tomorrow, I will arrive on time.
  Explanation: Present simple “is” in the if clause, and “will arrive” in the main clause.
• Correct: We will leave early if the weather improves.
  Explanation: The order is reversed but the rule holds.
• Common mistake: If it will be sunny, we go to the beach.
  Why incorrect: Don’t use “will” in the if clause; use present simple instead.

Example in context: “If you practice these structures daily, you’ll build confidence in your IELTS speaking responses.”

Practice Question

Choose the correct option to complete the sentence:

"_____ we finish our report by Friday, the manager will approve our extension request."

A) If will
B) Unless
C) If we finish
D) When we will finish

Show Answer

Answer: C) If we finish
Explanation: In a First Conditional sentence, the if clause uses present simple (“finish”) and the main clause uses “will” (“will approve”).

Key Takeaways

• Use If + present simple, will + verb for real future possibilities.
• You can reverse clauses: main clause + if clause.
• Avoid using “will” in the if clause.
• Practice grammar correction with Lingo Copilot