Warm-up

Have a go — no notes, and don't worry about getting it wrong.

Try this one first, just by feel. Complete the sentence:

"If you (need) a hand with those bags, I'll carry one for you."

SPEAK

Say two things out loud that you'll do this evening if you have time. Any two — cooking, calling someone, going for a walk.

Listen in on this conversation

Ana: Are you coming to the barbecue on Saturday?

Leo: I hope so. If it rains, we'll move it inside — my flat's big enough.

Ana: And what about the neighbours, if it gets noisy?

Leo: They won't mind. If we finish before ten, nobody complains.

Look again at "if it rains" and "we'll move it". Both sentences are really about the future — so why isn't it "if it will rain"? Say your idea out loud before you check.

Check your idea CLICK

Two clauses, two jobs. The if part uses the present simple (rains, gets, finish) even though we mean the future. The will part is kept for the result (we'll move it, they won't mind). Mix them up — "if it will rain" — and it sounds wrong to a native speaker, every time.

Today: if + present simple, will / won't + base verb — plus the word unless — so you can talk about real plans, warnings and promises for the future.

Making Plans: "If It Rains, We'll Stay In"

For real things that might happen — and what you'll actually do about it.

Spot the pattern

Three real plans:

"If the shop's still open, I'll grab some bread on the way home."
"If Tom finishes work early, he'll pick up the kids."
"If we leave now, we'll catch the six o'clock train."

Before you check: which part uses the present simple, and which part uses "will"?

Check the pattern CLICK

The if part: present simple ('s still open, finishes, leave). The result part: will + base verb ('ll grab, he'll pick up, we'll catch). "Will" only ever appears in the result — never after "if".

If + present simple, ... will / won't + base verb.
... will / won't + base verb if + present simple.

One comma rule

"If we leave now, we'll catch the train."

→

"We'll catch the train if we leave now."

Same meaning, no comma the second way round. The comma only appears when "if" starts the sentence.

Your turn

1. You're not sure your sister will be home in time for dinner.

Say: "If Mia (get) home before six, we'll all eat together."

2. You're planning a trip depending on your savings.

Say: "If we save enough money, we (go) to the coast in August."

SPEAK

Say two real plans for this weekend that depend on something — one with "if" at the start of the sentence, one with "if" in the middle.

Warnings & Promises: "If You're Late Again, He Won't Be Happy"

For warnings, promises, and things that won't happen if you don't act.

Spot the pattern

"If you don't book early, the flights will be really expensive."
"If Jake's late again, his manager won't be happy."
"If we don't leave soon, we'll miss the beginning of the film."

Same question: what's true about the "if" part here, even though two of them are negative?

Check the pattern CLICK

The "if" part can be negative too (don't book, don't leave) — it's still present simple, never "will". The result still uses will or won't + base verb. Nothing about a warning changes the basic structure.

If + present simple (positive or negative), ... will / won't + base verb.

Your turn

1. A friend is still getting ready and you're both about to miss a train.

Warn them: "If you don't hurry, we (miss) the last train."

2. Sam has a report due Friday and hasn't started it.

Tell a colleague: "If Sam (not / finish) the report by Friday, his boss won't be pleased."

SPEAK

Think of a real rule at your work, school or home. Say one warning out loud: "If you ..., ... won't be happy."

Unless: If Not

One word that means "if...not" — plus offers and promises with the same pattern.

Spot the pattern

"Unless it rains, we'll have the barbecue outside."
"I'll lend you my umbrella unless you already have one."
"Unless you tell me the address, I won't be able to find the house."

What do you think "unless it rains" really means?

Check the pattern CLICK

Unless = if...not. "Unless it rains, we'll have the barbecue outside" = "If it doesn't rain, we'll have the barbecue outside." Same structure as "if": unless + present simple, ... will / won't + base verb.

Unless + present simple, ... will / won't + base verb.
(= If + present simple + not, ...)

    Watch out: "unless" already means "if...not" — so never add "don't / doesn't" after it. "Unless it doesn't rain" is a double negative and doesn't mean what people think. Just say "unless it rains".
  

Same pattern, offers and promises

"If you need a hand, I'll help you carry those."
"If you're free later, I'll show you around."

It isn't only warnings — the exact same structure makes offers and promises sound natural.

Your turn

1. Friday nights at your favourite restaurant get busy fast.

Warn a friend: "Unless you (book) a table, we might not get in."

2. A new colleague looks a bit lost around the office.

Make an offer: "If you (be) free this afternoon, I'll show you around."

SPEAK

Make one promise to a friend using "if", and one warning using "unless". Say them both out loud.

Your Turn to Talk

Time to use plans, warnings and promises about your own week.

The situation

Think about your plans for the next few days — something that depends on the weather, your money, your free time, or someone else.

Tell the whole story out loud for one minute. Try to include:

a plan: "If ..., I'll ..."
a warning or promise: "... will / won't ... if ..."
one sentence with "unless"

01:00

Now put it in writing

Write a short message (3–5 sentences) to a friend about your plans for the next few days. Use all three patterns from today — the checker will tell you which ones it finds.

Mix It Up

Real conversations don't come pre-sorted. Fix these, then choose the right form.

Fix the mistakes

Each sentence has one grammar mistake. Rewrite the whole sentence correctly.

1. "If it will rain, we'll stay home."

2. "If Priya finishes early, she meets us for coffee." (a one-time plan, not a routine)

3. "Unless it doesn't rain, we'll go for a walk."

4. "If you don't hurry up, you missing the bus."

Which form fits?

5. "If it ___ tomorrow, we'll cancel the picnic."

6. Leo forgot her birthday and still hasn't said sorry. "If he doesn't apologise, Mia ___ speak to him again."

7. "___ you leave now, you'll be late for the meeting."

SPEAK

One-minute challenge: imagine you're organising a group trip. Say three things out loud — a plan depending on money, a warning about being late, and one sentence with "unless".

What Do You Remember?

First, from before

1. The form behind all of today's grammar — complete it: "My train (leave) at seven every morning."

2. Say it out loud: besides "if" sentences, when else do we use "will" for the future? Give one example.

Compare with a possible answer CLICK

One possible answer: for decisions made right now ("I'll answer that"), promises ("I'll call you tonight"), and predictions without strong evidence ("It'll probably be busy later").

Now, today's grammar — fresh sentences, no looking back

3. The office printer keeps jamming. Say: "If the printer (break) again, we'll call the technician."

4. The film starts in ten minutes. Warn a friend: "Unless you (hurry), you'll miss the start."

5. Nadia often doesn't pick up her phone. Say: "If Nadia (not / answer) her phone, I'll leave a message."

Think back

Which part felt trickiest today — remembering not to use "will" in the if-clause, or choosing between "if" and "unless"? Say why.

Can you now...?

At the start we said: if + present simple, will / won't + base verb, plus "unless" — so you can talk about plans, warnings and promises. Tick what's true:

I can talk about a real future plan with if + present simple, ... will + base verb — "If we save enough, we'll go in August."
I can warn or promise something with will / won't in the result — "If you don't hurry, we'll miss the train."
I can use unless to mean "if...not" — "Unless it rains, we'll eat outside."

    Anything you didn't tick — go back to that tab and try the exercises once more. They'll still check your answers.
  

Next lesson: the passive voice — an introduction.