Yes, You Can Use Will in If-Clauses—Here Is When | First Conditional
- Alex
- 7 minutes ago
- 7 min read
Level: upper-intermediate (B2) / advanced (C1)
Summary / Quick Reference
Most first conditional sentences use the following if-clause + result clause structure:
If-clause —> if + subject + present verb (conjugated)
Result clause —> subject + will (not) + bare infinitive verb
Example: If she doesn't leave now, she will be late.
You can use will in if clauses in the following cases:
Willingness: "I'll do it if they'll pay me."
Insistence: "If he'll insist on coming, we won't have a choice but to let him come."
Refusals: "If you won't give her a raise, she'll quit."
Polite requests: "If you'll wait here, I'll be with you in five minutes."
Note: Remember that other modals are possible in first conditionals, including should, can, might, and may. This page is only concerned with the usage of will in first conditional if-clauses.
Yes, You Can Use Will in If-Clauses—Here is When | First Conditional
If you have studied the first conditional, you know that it has an if-clause and a result clause. For instance, "If we don't leave now, we'll miss the start of the game," or "I'll call you if plans change." In both cases, the if-clause uses the present simple—the verbs leave and change—and the result clause uses will and a verb—will miss and will call. This is how the first conditional is usually taught, and it is correct.
However, it is only natural to ask if you can use will in if-clauses. The truth is, in most cases, it does not work or is not necessary. For example, it sounds awkward to say "If it will rain, I will bring an umbrella." Based on the given rule, the correct sentence and the classic first conditional example is "If it rains, I will bring an umbrella."
But there must be a stronger explanation than "Will sounds awkward and unnecessary," right? Right. The truth is, if you use will in an if-clause, it implies a condition of willingness. It says that something will happen if someone is willing to do something else. This is why "If it will rain" does not work: Rain does not have a will. It cannot make decisions.
But humans can.
With that in mind, you can use if with will when you want to say if someone is willing to do something. And sometimes, both structures are possible, but the intended meaning is not the same. Essentially, the difference between if you do and if you will do is the difference between if you do something and if you are willing to do something. Note these two sentences and explanations:
"If you help me, we'll finish sooner."
(If you do A, B will happen. Classic condition + result structure.)
"If you'll help me, we'll finish sooner."
(If you are willing to do A, B will happen. Willingness + result structure.)
With that in mind, here are the situations where you can use will with if-clauses.
Willingness
This is the core of everything on this page. When we talk about willingness, we are talking about a person's desire and ability to do something. You can use will with if when you mean to say "If Person ABC is willing (or not willing) to do something." Here are some examples, followed by brief explanations.
"If you'll let me join you, I promise that I'll be quiet the entire time."
(Meaning, "If you are willing to let me join you.")
"I'll give you $20 if you'll clean this room."
(Meaning, "If you are willing to clean this room.")
"If you'll apologize, she'll forgive you."
(Meaning, "If you are willing to apologize.")
"I'll be good if Santa will give me a puppy for Christmas."
(Meaning, "If Santa is willing to give me a puppy for Christmas.")
Can you remove will from all of these examples? Absolutely. But the intended meaning would be different. Remember, the difference between if you do and if you will do is the difference between doing something and being willing to do something.
"Does that mean I can use will with everything?!"
No. It does not. This is precisely why most English teachers just teach the classic if structure—because teaching if + will only causes extra confusion, especially if someone is learning the first conditional for the first time. Take a look at these examples and note that they all sound wrong or awkward:
Incorrect: "If I'll need help, I'll call you."
Correct: "If I need help, I'll call you."
(Necessity is not related to willingness.)
Incorrect: "If you will be too tired, I will ask someone else."
Correct: "If you're too tired, I'll ask someone else."
(States are not related to willingness.)
Incorrect: "If we'll have enough money, we'll buy a new car next year."
Correct: "If we have enough money, we'll buy a new car next year."
(Possession is not related to willingness. It is also a state.)
"If you'll study, you'll pass."
(This is technically fine, but no one actually says this. Most people just say "If you study, you'll pass.")
"I'll give you a good deal if you'll pay me today."
(This is also technically fine. You are saying "If you are willing to pay me today," but almost no one actually says this. Most people just say "I'll give you a good deal if you pay me today.")
I hope you are still with me. Now, let us look at other cases where it is possible to use will in an if-clause.
Insistence
If someone has a very strong feeling about something, they might use will in an if-clause. Here are some examples:
"I'll only come if you'll let me drive."
(Meaning, "If you are willing to let me drive" or "I am insisting that you let me drive. If you want me to come with you, this is the only condition that I will accept.")
"If they'll agree to our terms, we'll stop protesting."
(Meaning, "If they are willing to agree to our terms" or "I feel very strongly about continuing to protest unless they agree to our terms.")
"We'll go back to work if you'll sign the contract."
(Meaning, "I insist that you sign the contract. Otherwise, we will not go back to work.")
"I'll let you play on your tablet if you'll clean your room."
(Meaning, "I insist that you clean your room" or "I'll only let you play on your tablet if you are willing to clean your room.")
As you can see, the idea of willingness is still present in all of these examples.
But what about negative sentences? If + will is possible when talking about refusals. Let us look at those now.
Refusals
You can use won't/will not in an if-clause when it expresses a refusal. Note the examples and explanations:
"If she won't finish her dinner, she won't be allowed to watch TV."
(Meaning, "If she refuses to finish her dinner.")
"If the map app won't start, we'll be lost."
(Meaning, "If the map app refuses to start." This is a case where an object can "refuse" to do something.)
"I'll help them if you won't."
(Meaning, "If you refuse to help them.")
"If her cousins won't come to the wedding, she'll be very upset."
(Meaning, "If her cousins refuse to come to the wedding.")
In all of these cases, willingness is still strongly implied. "If you won't do something" basically means "If you are not willing to do something."
Now, let us look at one more case where if + will is possible.
Polite Requests
You can use if + will for polite requests. It is similar to saying "Will you please do XYZ?" or "Please do XYZ." Requests are typically made to the second person, you, but it is possible to direct them to other people as well (see example 2). Read the examples carefully:
“If you’ll give me a moment, I’ll be right with you.”
(Meaning, "Please give me a moment and I'll be right with you.")
"If your grandmother will have a seat, the doctor will see her soon."
(Meaning, "Please ask your grandmother to have a seat.")
"If you'll excuse me, I'll be back in fifteen minutes."
(Meaning, "Please excuse me.")
"I'll start making dinner if you'll please get the salt from that shelf for me."
(Meaning, "Will you please get the salt for me?")
This is a more formal structure, but it is used in professional circumstances or when a person wishes to show respect.
Conclusion
As you can see, it is possible to use will in first conditional if-clauses. However, there is a good reason why English teachers (and intermediate grammar books) do not teach this form—especially not early on. In short, it would be too much for most first-time learners, and it would develop bad habits in learners who want to get too creative.
Unfortunately, this also means that many young English teachers never learn or think that it is possible to use will in some if-clauses. If you are one of those teachers, do not feel ashamed. It is honestly not your fault. Like I said, most intermediate English grammar books do not teach this point. If your students ever ask you if they can use will in if-clauses, it is best for you to say “We don’t usually use will in if-clauses. There are special situations where it is possible, but for now, it is important to just learn the most common form." By saying this, you are teaching students the most important thing of all—the truth.
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