The type 1 conditional (the "first conditional") talks about situations that are possible and probable. The speaker is not imagining a fantasy — they really do expect that the condition might come true, and they are saying what will follow if it does. This is the pattern you reach for when you make plans, give advice, or issue threats and promises.
It's also one of the most useful conditional patterns at the early intermediate level: you can negotiate, plan, warn, and reassure with a small set of si + present sentences.
The structure
The si-clause is always in the present indicative. The result clause has three main options:
- Future tense — for predictions
- Imperative — for instructions
- Present indicative — for plans felt to be certain
Structure: Si + present indicative, future / imperative / present.
Si tienes tiempo, ven a verme.
If you have time, come see me.
Notice that the si-clause is never in the future in Spanish. Even though English can sometimes allow "if it will rain," Spanish requires the present here.
With the future tense
When you want to predict what will happen as a consequence of the condition, pair si + present with the future tense. This is the most common form in writing and slightly more formal conversation.
Si trabajas duro, tendrás éxito.
If you work hard, you'll have success.
Si no nos apuramos, perderemos el vuelo.
If we don't hurry, we'll miss the flight.
The ir a + infinitive periphrastic future is just as common in Latin America as the morphological future, and many speakers prefer it in everyday conversation:
Si comes tanto azúcar, te va a doler el estómago.
If you eat that much sugar, your stomach is going to hurt.
With the imperative
The type 1 is the perfect companion for a command — it lets you spell out the condition under which the command applies. You can use either an affirmative or a negative imperative in the result clause.
Si ves a Marta, dile que la extraño.
If you see Marta, tell her I miss her.
Si no entiendes algo, pregunta.
If you don't understand something, ask.
This construction is especially common in instructions, recipes, and parental advice.
With the present
Sometimes the result clause stays in the present, particularly when the speaker is treating the outcome as already scheduled or completely decided. This gives the sentence a feeling of confidence — the result isn't just probable, it's locked in.
Si Juan viene, jugamos fútbol esta tarde.
If Juan comes, we're playing soccer this afternoon.
Type 1 vs. type 2
The type 1 and the type 2 conditional differ in how realistic the condition feels to the speaker. Type 1 sentences are about things the speaker genuinely considers possible; type 2 sentences are about situations the speaker is only imagining.
| Type | Example | Speaker's attitude |
|---|---|---|
| Type 1 | Si tengo dinero, viajaré. | I might really have money. |
| Type 2 | Si tuviera dinero, viajaría. | I don't have it — I'm imagining. |
Choose type 1 when the condition is plausible; reach for type 2 when it isn't.
More Examples in Context
Si puedes, llámame esta noche.
If you can, call me tonight.
Si quieres, te ayudo con la mudanza.
If you want, I'll help you with the move.
Si nos invitan, vamos a su fiesta.
If they invite us, we'll go to their party.
Word Order
The two clauses can switch places. When the result clause comes first, you drop the comma.
Te ayudo si me lo pides.
I'll help you if you ask me.
Lo hago si tengo tiempo.
I'll do it if I have time.
For unreal present situations ("if I had it... I would"), see Type 2. For things that didn't happen in the past ("if I had known"), see Type 3 and Si-Clauses Type 3.
Related Topics
- Type 0: General TruthsA2 — Pair a present-tense si-clause with a present-tense result clause to state facts, laws, and habits that are always true.
- Type 2: ImprobableB2 — Pair an imperfect-subjunctive si-clause with a conditional result clause for hypothetical or unlikely present situations.
- Type 3: Contrary-to-Fact PastC1 — Use the pluperfect subjunctive with the conditional perfect to talk about past situations that didn't actually happen.