First Conditionals

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Look at the pictures. What is a superstition? Can you give an example of one? Do you believe in any superstitions? Do you wear or carry things that make you feel lucky?

I’ve found an interesting article for you to read.

Knock on wood!

You’ll get a good grade on the test if you wear your shirt inside out.

You’ll get a bad grade unless you use your lucky pen.

Superstitions sound silly, but millions of people all over the world believe in their power to bring good luck or prevent bad luck. Many cultures share similar superstitions:

If you break a mirror, you’ll have seven years of bad luck.

If the palm of your hand itches, you’re going to get some money.

If it rains when you move to a new house, you’ll get rich.

Why are these magical beliefs so powerful in our scientific age?

Here are some of the findings:

1. Emotions can influence superstitions.

People will react more superstitiously if they are worried and feel a strong need for control.

2. We make our own luck. If you believe you are lucky, you will carry out superstitions that make you feel good (crossing your fingers, for example). In contrast, you will expect the worst if you think you’re unlucky.

3. Of the 3,000 people surveyed, 84 percent knocked on wood. And 15 percent of

the people who studied or worked in the sciences feared the number 13!

Education doesn’t “cure” superstition – students are the most superstitious people. Other groups are performers, athletes and traders.

Will you do better on the test if you use your lucky pen? Maybe. If the pen makes you feel more confident, go ahead and use it. But don’t forget – your lucky pen will be powerless unless you study.

The harder you work, the luckier you’ll get!

Now use the information from the article and match the two parts of each sentence.

1. If you are worrying about something, you might act more superstitious.

2. If you feel you’re lucky, you’ll have more good luck superstitions.

3. If you study science, you could still be superstitious.

4. If you don’t study, your good luck pen won’t work.

You see, that all the sentences have two parts: the if-clause and the result clause.

These sentences are called Future Real Conditionals or First Conditional.

We use them to talk about something that can probably happen under certain conditions in the present or future.

The if-clause gives the condition. The result clause gives the probable or certain result.

When the if-clause comes before the result clause, we separate the two clauses with a comma.

We don’t use comma when the if-clause follows the main clause.

Conditionals are usually introduced by if or unless, but their meaning are very different.

Use unless to state a negative condition. Unless often has the same meaning as if…not.

Unless you are superstitious, you won’t be afraid of black cats.

OR

If you aren’t superstitious, you won’t be afraid of black cats.

The following expressions can be used instead of “if”: as long as, in case, on condition (that), providing, provided, what if, supposing, even if, only if.

We will leave on Friday, supposing the weather is fine.

What if it rains, will you still go for a picnic with him?

I’ll remember that film as long as I live.

I’ll take cash in case we need it there.

He's welcome to come along, provided that he behaves himself.

I'll come to the party on the condition that you don't wear those ridiculous trousers!

Use any present form (present simple/present continuous or present perfect) in the if-clause.

If you feel unlucky, you’ll expect the worst.

If you have finished your coffee, you can pay the bill.

Be careful! Even though the if-clause refers to the future, use present tenses.

If you wear your sweater backwards, people will laugh at you.

NOT If you will wear your sweater backwards, people will laugh at you.

Use future simple or be going to in the result clause.

When I’m older, I’m going to travel the world.

If you don't watch your steps, you are going to fall over.

If a ladybird lands on you, you will enjoy good luck.

The dog will bite you if you pull its tail.

You can use modals (can/may/must/should) in the result clause.

If she studies hard, she might get an A on her test.

If your hands itch, you could have an allergy.

If you ever go to Chicago, you should take a boat trip on the river.

You can/may leave the room if you've finished the test. (permission)

If he doesn't come soon, we must / will have to leave without him.

Now it’s time to practice the rule.

Complete the superstitions. Use the correct form of the verbs.

1. If you spill salt at the breakfast, you’ll have an argument. (Russia)

2. If the cat washes behind its ears, it will rain. (England)

3. If your right hand is itchy, you’ll get money.

If your left hand itches, you will give money. (Greece)

4. If somebody throws away a dead mouse, the wind will start to blow from that direction. (Iceland)

5. If you sit at the corner of the table, you won’t get married. (Slovakia)

6. If you throw red beans at a newly married couple, they will have good luck. (Mexico)

7. If you walk under a ladder, you will have bad luck. (North America)

That`s all for today.

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