The First Conditional

¡Hola! Olá! Welcome to our friendly guide on using the first conditional in English, specifically designed for Spanish and Portuguese speakers. Conditional sentences can be challenging to learn, as they often involve complex structures and rules. This guide aims to help you understand the first conditional in English and compare it to similar structures in Spanish and Portuguese. We'll go through various examples to give you a better understanding. Let's get started!

I. The First Conditional in English

1.1. First Conditional Structure

The first conditional is used to talk about real and possible future situations. The structure of the first conditional is:

If + Present Simple, Future Simple (will + verb)

Example: If it rains tomorrow, I will stay at home.

1.2. Usage

In English, the first conditional is used to express:

• Real and possible future situations

• Actions or events that depend on a specific condition being met

II. The First Conditional in Spanish and Portuguese

2.1. First Conditional Structure

The structure of the first conditional in Spanish and Portuguese is similar to that in English. The main difference lies in the verb conjugation.

Spanish: Si + Presente de Indicativo, Futuro Simple

Portuguese: Se + Presente do Indicativo, Futuro Simples

2.2. Usage

In both Spanish and Portuguese, the first conditional is used to express real and possible future situations, as well as actions or events that depend on a specific condition being met, just like in English.

III. Examples and Comparisons

3.1. Real and Possible Future Situations

English: If I have time, I will visit my grandparents.

Spanish: Si tengo tiempo, visitaré a mis abuelos.

Portuguese: Se eu tiver tempo, visitarei meus avós.

3.2. Actions or Events That Depend on a Specific Condition

English: If you don't hurry up, we will miss the bus.

Spanish: Si no te apuras, perderemos el autobús.

Portuguese: Se você não se apressar, perderemos o ônibus.

Conclusion

In this guide, we explored the use of the first conditional in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, comparing their structures and uses. Understanding these similarities and differences will help you better express real and possible future situations and actions or events that depend on a specific condition being met. Keep practicing, and you'll master the use of the first conditional in no time! ¡Buena suerte! Boa sorte!