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Learning Objectives

2 minutes reading
✓
Form first conditional sentences correctly
✓
Discuss likely future outcomes in business contexts
✓
Use time clauses with when, as soon as, before, after
✓
Apply conditionals in action planning and policy discussions
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Key for this lesson

First conditional = real/likely future situations. Structure: If + present simple, will + base verb. "If we reduce the price, sales will increase."

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Grammar Explanation

4 minutes reading
First Conditional

Real/Likely Future Conditions

If + present simple, will + base verb

Example: "If we invest in training, productivity will improve."

Reversed: "Sales will increase if we launch early."

ifunlesswhenas soon as
Time Clauses

When, Before, After, As soon as

Time word + present simple, will + verb

When: "When the report is ready, I'll send it."

As soon as: "I'll call you as soon as I arrive."

beforeafteruntil
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Common Error

Don't use "will" in the if-clause! ❌ "If we will finish..." ✓ "If we finish..."

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Context & Professional Usage

5 minutes reading

Business Applications

📈Strategy: "If we expand to Asia, revenue will double."
⚠️Risks: "If we don't act now, we'll lose market share."
📋Policies: "If employees work overtime, they'll receive extra pay."
🎯Negotiations: "If you order 1000 units, we'll offer 10% discount."

Time Clause Examples

📧Updates: "I'll email you when I have the results."
✅Deadlines: "We'll launch as soon as testing is complete."
🔄Sequences: "Before we decide, we'll review the data."
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Business English Examples

6 minutes reading
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Correct Professional Usage

✓
"If we reduce costs, profits will increase."

Present simple in if-clause, will in result

✓
"When the contract is signed, we'll start the project."

Time clause with present simple

✓
"Unless we get approval, we won't proceed."

Unless = if...not

✓
"I'll call you as soon as I land."

Time clause at the end

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Common Business Mistakes

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"If we will finish early, we'll celebrate."

Use: "If we finish early..." (no will in if-clause)

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"When I will arrive, I'll call you."

Use: "When I arrive..." (present simple after when)

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"If the client agrees, we start tomorrow."

Use: "...we'll start tomorrow." (will in result clause)

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Professional Listening Exercise

6 minutes

Listen to a strategy discussion about market expansion:

🎵Audio: Strategy Meeting
Ready
0:00 / 0:00
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Speed:

Director: Let's discuss our expansion strategy. If we enter the German market this year, we'll need to hire local staff.

Manager: That's right. And if we don't have local expertise, customers won't trust our brand.

Director: Exactly. When we find the right partner, we'll move quickly. I'll contact the Berlin office as soon as this meeting finishes.

Manager: What about pricing? If we match local competitors, will we still be profitable?

Director: Good question. If we keep our current margins, we'll be 15% more expensive. But if we reduce prices, quality perception might suffer.

Manager: Unless we position ourselves as premium. If customers see us as high-end, they'll accept higher prices.

Director: I agree. Before we make any decisions, we'll need market research. I'll commission a study, and when the results are ready, we'll reconvene.

Question 1: What will happen if they enter the German market?

Question 2: What will they do before making decisions?

Question 3: Complete: "If customers _______ us as high-end, they'll accept higher prices."

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Quick Comprehension Quiz

4 minutes
1

Choose the correct form: "If we _____ the deadline, the client will be happy."

Ameet
Bwill meet
Cmeeting
2

"When the report _____ ready, I'll send it to you."

Ais
Bwill be
Cis being
3

"_____ we get more funding, we won't be able to expand."

AIf
BUnless
CWhen
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Professional Practice Exercises

7 minutes

Exercise A: Complete the conditionals

1. If we _______ (launch) early, we _______ (gain) market advantage.

2. The project _______ (fail) unless we _______ (increase) the budget.

3. When the client _______ (approve) the design, we _______ (start) production.

4. I _______ (send) the proposal as soon as I _______ (finish) it.

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Speaking Preparation

4 minutes
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Preparation for Class

Practice discussing business scenarios with first conditional.

📈 Task 1: Business Scenarios (1 min)

Complete these sentences about your work:

  • "If our team works harder, we'll..."
  • "Unless we change our approach, we won't..."
  • "When we finish this project, we'll..."
🔄 Task 2: Action Planning (2 min)

Discuss a current challenge at work using conditionals.

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Module 2 Complete!

Key structures: Going to (plans), Will (decisions/predictions), Might/May (possibility), First Conditional (if...will)
Next: Module 3 - Modals: Obligation and Advice

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