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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
✓

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 Maria, an Event Coordinator, and David, an Operations Manager, discussing a conference plan:

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

Maria (Event Coordinator): Hi David, can we quickly go over the plan for the annual conference? I want to make sure we're prepared for any issues.

David (Operations Manager): Of course, Maria. I have the schedule right here. Everything seems to be on track.

Maria: Okay, great. First question: The keynote speaker is flying in from New York. If her flight is delayed, what will we do?

David: Good point. If her flight is delayed, we will move the networking session to the morning slot. That will give us an extra hour. She can speak after lunch instead.

Maria: Perfect. And what about attendance? I'm worried about numbers. Unless we get at least 200 registrations by next Friday, we might have to cancel the VIP dinner to save on costs.

David: I'm optimistic. We sent a final reminder email this morning. If people see the "last chance" discount, they will register. I predict we'll hit 250.

Maria: I hope you're right. Now, tech setup. Your team is handling the audio-visual equipment.

David: Yes. My team will be there at 7 AM. As soon as we arrive, we will test all the microphones and projectors. There won't be any problems, I promise.

Maria: And what about catering? When the lunch break starts, will the food be ready immediately? We had a bottleneck last year.

David: Absolutely. I've spoken with the caterers. They will set up during the morning session. The buffet will be ready when the doors open.

Maria: Excellent. One last thing. I need to print the final agenda. If you approve the schedule today, I'll send it to the printers this afternoon.

David: It looks good to me. Yes, please go ahead.

Maria: Great. It sounds like we have a solid plan. If we prepare for these things, the conference will run smoothly.

Vocabulary:
- On track: Progressing as planned or expected.
- Bottleneck: A point of congestion or blockage in a system or process, which slows things down.
- Keynote speaker: The main, most important speaker at a conference.

Question 1: What will happen if the keynote speaker's flight is delayed?

Question 2: According to Maria, what will be the consequence unless they get 200 registrations?

Question 3: What promise does David make about the tech setup?

Question 4: Complete: "If you _______ the schedule today, I'll send it to the printers."

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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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