Grammar · Conditionals & Wishes
First Conditional
If this happens, that will happen. Learn the if-part and the result with the film Chicken Little.
Grammar › Conditionals & Wishes › First Conditional
The rule in one sentenceFor a real thing that can happen, use if + present simple for the if-part and will + verb for the result.
About the film
Chicken Little is a film from 2005. Chicken Little is a very small chicken with big glasses. If he says the sky is falling, the town will laugh. If a piece of the sky falls, it will hit him on the head. If the aliens come, his friends Abby, Runt and Fish will help.
What does it do?
You use this pattern for a real thing in the future. It can happen, or maybe not. The sentence has two parts.
The if-part is the thing that can happen. The result is what happens next. The if-part uses the present simple. The result uses will.
The two parts can change places. With the if-part first, you need a comma. With the result first, you do not.
People say the short form of will. Learn both:
If the town laughs at him, Chicken Little will feel sad. Chicken Little will feel sad if the town laughs at him.
Same idea, two orders. The if-part stays in the present simple. The result keeps “will”.
The if-part is about the future. But the verb stays in the present simple. Do not put “will” after “if”.
Visual guide
Teacher Teddy’s illustrated guide to this rule is being drawn — the full swipe-through infographic will appear here soon.
How to make it
The result will + verb
If the sky falls, the town will panic.
If the sky falls, Buck won’t stay at home.
won’t = will notWill the town believe him if he shows the piece?
Will + person + verb + …The if-part if + present simple
If Abby helps, Chicken Little will feel better.
If Buck doesn’t listen, his son will be sad.
if + don’t / doesn’t + verbWill his son be sad if Buck doesn’t listen?
In a question, will comes before the subject.When to use each one
The if-part — the thing that can happen
The result — what happens next
Words that help: which half?
Some words tell you which half you are in.
The if-part → present simple
The result → will + verb
Common mistakes
❌ If the sky will fall, everyone will panic.
✅ If the sky falls, everyone will panic.
No “will” in the if-part. The if-part uses the present simple.
❌ If Buck believes him, Chicken Little will happy.
✅ If Buck believes him, Chicken Little will be happy.
After “will” you need the verb: will be happy.
❌ If Runt see an alien, he will scream.
✅ If Runt sees an alien, he will scream.
Runt is one person. He / she / it → add -s to the verb.
❌ The aliens will go home, if they find Kirby.
✅ The aliens will go home if they find Kirby.
The comma comes only when the if-part is first.
One more thing
This part is a little harder. You can come back to it later.
Always true, or one time? When a thing is always true, both parts use the present simple. This is the zero conditional. When it is one real time in the future, the result uses will.
✅ If it rains, the ground gets wet. (always)
✅ If Fish loses his helmet, he will need water. (one time, soon)
Practice: choose the right word
Eight questions. Choose one word. You get the answer, and why.
1. If the sky ___, everyone will panic.
No “will” in the if-part → falls.
2. If Runt sees an alien, he ___.
The result needs “will” → will scream.
3. Buck will be proud ___ Chicken Little hits the ball.
The if-part can come second → if.
4. If the aliens ___ Kirby, they will go home.
Present simple after “if” → find.
5. If Abby is there, she ___ help.
The result → will + verb.
6. If Buck ___ listen, his son will be sad.
In the if-part, “not” is don’t / doesn’t → doesn’t.
7. If the town laughs, Chicken Little ___ feel sad.
The result → will feel sad.
8. ___ Fish loses his helmet, he will need water.
The if-part starts with “if”. “Will” goes in the result.
Your turn
Choose one result. Then listen to your sentence.
Every sentence here is correct. Pick the one you like. Say it out loud too!
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