Primer Condicional: Intenciones y Planes (Be Going To)
if y be going to.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use this to talk about what you intend to do if a specific real-life condition is met.
- Use 'Present Simple' after 'if' (e.g., If I win...)
- Use 'be going to' for the result (e.g., ...I'm going to travel).
- This shows a pre-existing plan, not a spontaneous decision.
Overview
First Conditional con be going to es una de las estructuras más poderosas y precisas que puedes dominar en el nivel B1. Si ya te sientes cómodo con el futuro simple usando will, es momento de dar un paso más hacia la naturalidad. Como hispanohablantes, tenemos una ventaja enorme aquí: nuestra estructura de Si [condición], voy a [plan]es casi idéntica a la inglesa.
will), el uso de be going to comunica que ya tienes una decisión tomada o un plan en mente. Es la diferencia entre decir Si llueve, me quedaré en casa(una reacción probable) y
Si llueve, voy a ver esa serie de Netflix que tengo pendiente(un plan que ya habías considerado).
First Conditional se compone de dos partes: la cláusula de condición (la if clause) y la cláusula de resultado o intención (la main clause).if utiliza el presente simple. Esto suele confundir a algunos estudiantes, pero piensa en cómo lo decimos en español: decimos Si tengo tiempo..., no
Si tendré tiempo.... En inglés funciona igual:
If I have time.be going to seguido del verbo en infinitivo. ¿Por qué be going to y no will?be going to indica que la chispa de la acción ya existe en tu mente. Ya has decidido qué vas a hacer; solo estás esperando que la condición se cumpla.If + Simple Present (Condition) |Subject + be going to + Base Verb (Intention) |If they arrive early, I'm going to start the barbecue. Aquí, el plan de empezar la barbacoa ya está decidido; la llegada temprana de tus amigos es simplemente el disparador.to be. Aquí tienes los patrones principales:If al principioIf + sujeto + verbo en presente simple (condición), sujeto + be going to + verbo base (plan).if, la coma es obligatoria para separar las dos ideas.If I finish the report, I'm going to go to the gym.(Si termino el informe, voy a ir al gimnasio).If it is sunny, we're going to have a picnic.(Si hace sol, vamos a tener un picnic).
Sujeto + be going to + verbo base (plan) if + sujeto + verbo en presente simple (condición).if sirve de puente natural.I'm going to buy a new laptop if I get the bonus.(Voy a comprar una laptop nueva si recibo el bono).They are going to travel to Spain if they save enough money.(Ellos van a viajar a España si ahorran suficiente dinero).
be going toto be concuerde con el sujeto. No cometas el error de decir I going to o He going to.- I am (
I'm)going to... - You are (
You're)going to... - He/She/It is (
He's / She's / It's)going to... - We are (
We're)going to... - They are (
They're)going to...
don't o doesn't. Para negar la intención, añadimos not después del verbo to be.If she doesn't call me, I'm not going to attend the meeting.(Si ella no me llama, no voy a asistir a la reunión).If we don't find a taxi, we're going to take the bus.(Si no encontramos un taxi, vamos a tomar el autobús).
If I pass my English exam, I'm going to apply for that job in London. (Aquí hay un objetivo claro y un plan de carrera).If you keep eating so much sugar, you're going to have health problems. (Es una consecuencia lógica y casi segura desde el punto de vista del hablante).If you don't help me with the dishes, I'm not going to cook dinner tonight. (Es una declaración de intención firme).If the flight is delayed, I'm going to wait for you at the airport cafe. (Ya has decidido dónde estarás si algo sale mal).will dentro de la cláusula ifSi lloverá... (aunque lo correcto es Si llueve). En inglés, nunca, bajo ninguna circunstancia, pongas will o going to inmediatamente después del if en este tipo de condicional.- Incorrecto:
If it will rain, I'm going to stay. - Correcto:
If it rains, I'm going to stay.
to beYo voy a..., y a veces traducimos literalmente como I going to. Recuerda que en inglés el going to siempre necesita a su mejor amigo: el verbo to be (am, is, are).- Incorrecto:
If I win, I going to celebrate. - Correcto:
If I win, I'm going to celebrate.
Actually y CurrentlySi actualmente tengo trabajo, voy a ahorrar, no digas
If I actually have a job. Actually significa de hecho o en realidad. Usa currently o simplemente el presente simple.- Ojo:
If I currently have the budget, I'm going to invest.
be going to y cuándo usar will en el primer condicional. La diferencia es sutil pero cambia el mensaje.be going to (Intención/Plan) | will (Decisión Espontánea/Predicción) |- Con
will:If the phone rings, I'll answer it.(Es una reacción instantánea, no tenías el plan de contestar el teléfono antes de que sonara). - Con
be going to:If I get the job, I'm going to move to Madrid.(Ya has pensado en la mudanza, es un plan que requiere preparación).
gonna en lugar de going to?going to completo.will si tengo un plan?I will, el nativo entenderá que lo acabas de decidir o que es una simple posibilidad. Si quieres sonar como alguien que tiene el control de sus acciones, usa be going to.Si fuera millonario), ya no usamos el First Conditional. Eso sería el Second Conditional (If I were...). El First Conditional con be going to se usa para cosas que realmente pueden pasar.if?If you study, If she eats, If we arrive. Lo importante es mantener la estructura de presente en la condición y futuro planeado en el resultado.Structure of First Conditional (Intentions)
| Clause | Subject | Verb Form | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
If-Clause
|
I / You / We / They
|
Present Simple
|
If I study,
|
|
If-Clause
|
He / She / It
|
Present Simple (+s/es)
|
If she studies,
|
|
Result-Clause
|
I
|
am going to + verb
|
I am going to pass.
|
|
Result-Clause
|
He / She / It
|
is going to + verb
|
she is going to pass.
|
|
Result-Clause
|
You / We / They
|
are going to + verb
|
we are going to pass.
|
Common Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction | Informal/Spoken |
|---|---|---|
|
I am going to
|
I'm going to
|
I'm gonna
|
|
You are going to
|
You're going to
|
You're gonna
|
|
He is going to
|
He's going to
|
He's gonna
|
|
We are not going to
|
We aren't going to
|
We're not gonna
|
Meanings
A variation of the first conditional used specifically to express a prior intention or a plan that depends on a possible future condition.
Conditional Intentions
Expressing a plan you have already made, provided the condition is met.
“If we have enough money, we are going to visit Japan next year.”
“If she passes the exam, she's going to apply for a master's degree.”
Conditional Predictions based on Evidence
Predicting a future outcome based on current signs if a condition occurs.
“If you don't slow down, you're going to have an accident.”
“If it keeps raining like this, the river is going to flood.”
Negative Intentions
Expressing what you plan NOT to do if a condition is met.
“If they don't offer a discount, I'm not going to buy it.”
“If it's too crowded, we aren't going to stay long.”
Reference Table
| Tipo | Estructura | Ejemplo | Significado |
|---|---|---|---|
|
First Conditional
|
If + Present Simple, be going to + Base Verb
|
If it rains, I'm going to stay home.
|
Una posibilidad real que lleva a un plan definido.
|
|
Condición Primero
|
If + Condición (Presente Simple), Intención (be going to)
|
If I get a bonus, I'm going to buy a new laptop.
|
El plan depende directamente de la condición.
|
|
Intención Primero
|
Intención (be going to) if + Condición (Presente Simple)
|
She's going to study abroad if she gets the scholarship.
|
El orden no cambia el significado, sin coma.
|
|
Condición Negativa
|
If + don't/doesn't + Verb, be going to + Verb
|
If you don't call him, he's going to be upset.
|
Consecuencia de no cumplir la condición.
|
|
Forma Interrogativa
|
What are you going to do if...?
|
What are you going to do if the train is delayed?
|
Preguntando sobre el plan condicional de alguien.
|
|
Contraste (Will)
|
If + Present Simple, will + Base Verb
|
If it rains, I'll probably stay home.
|
Una predicción o decisión espontánea, menos un plan firme.
|
Espectro de formalidad
If a salary increase is not granted, I am going to submit my resignation. (Workplace)
If I don't get a raise, I'm going to quit my job. (Workplace)
If they don't give me more cash, I'm gonna quit. (Workplace)
If no raise hits, I'm outtie. (Workplace)
Primer Condicional: Intenciones y Planes ('Be Going To')
Cláusula 'If' (Condición)
- If it rains... Presente Simple
- If she studies... Posibilidad Real
Cláusula Principal (Intención)
- ...I'm going to stay home. Be Going To + Verbo Base
- ...she's going to pass. Plan/Intención Definida
Idea Clave
- Plan Condicional Planes futuros basados en condiciones
- No 'will' en 'if' Error Común
'Will' vs. 'Be Going To' en Primer Condicional
Formando el Primer Condicional con 'Be Going To'
¿Es la condición una posibilidad futura real?
¿Estás expresando un plan o intención definida para el resultado?
¿Qué tiempo verbal para el verbo de la cláusula 'if'?
¿Qué forma para el verbo de la cláusula principal?
Usos del Primer Condicional con 'Be Going To'
Planes Diarios
- • If I wake up early, I'm going to hit the gym.
- • If the store is open, I'm going to buy groceries.
Metas de Trabajo/Estudio
- • If I finish this report, I'm going to take a break.
- • If she gets the scholarship, she's going to study abroad.
Eventos Sociales
- • If they invite me, I'm going to the party.
- • If it's sunny, we're going to have a BBQ.
Advertencias/Consejos
- • If you don't hurry, you're going to miss the bus.
- • If you touch that, you're going to regret it.
Ejemplos por nivel
If I am hungry, I am going to eat.
If I am hungry, I am going to eat.
If it is hot, I am going to swim.
If it is hot, I am going to swim.
If I see her, I am going to say hello.
If I see her, I am going to say hello.
If we have a ball, we are going to play.
If we have a ball, we are going to play.
If I find my keys, I'm going to leave.
If I find my keys, I'm going to leave.
If it doesn't rain, we're going to walk.
If it doesn't rain, we're going to walk.
Are you going to buy it if it's cheap?
Are you going to buy it if it's cheap?
If he is late, I'm not going to wait.
If he is late, I'm not going to wait.
If I get the job, I'm going to move to London.
If I get the job, I'm going to move to London.
If the car breaks down again, I'm going to sell it.
If the car breaks down again, I'm going to sell it.
We're going to stay with my aunt if we go to Paris.
We're going to stay with my aunt if we go to Paris.
If you don't finish your homework, you aren't going to go out.
If you don't finish your homework, you aren't going to go out.
If the company expands, they're going to hire more staff.
If the company expands, they're going to hire more staff.
If you keep ignoring the symptoms, it's going to get worse.
If you keep ignoring the symptoms, it's going to get worse.
If we don't reach a compromise, we're going to lose the client.
If we don't reach a compromise, we're going to lose the client.
Is she going to quit if they don't give her a raise?
Is she going to quit if they don't give her a raise?
If the legislation passes, the government is going to face significant backlash.
If the legislation passes, the government is going to face significant backlash.
If we proceed with this strategy, we're going to be taking a massive risk.
If we proceed with this strategy, we're going to be taking a massive risk.
If he continues to underperform, management is going to have to let him go.
If he continues to underperform, management is going to have to let him go.
If the data is accurate, we're going to see a shift in consumer behavior.
If the data is accurate, we're going to see a shift in consumer behavior.
Should the negotiations fail, the union is going to initiate a nationwide strike.
Should the negotiations fail, the union is going to initiate a nationwide strike.
If the paradox holds, our understanding of physics is going to be fundamentally altered.
If the paradox holds, our understanding of physics is going to be fundamentally altered.
If she maintains this trajectory, she's going to go down in history as a pioneer.
If she maintains this trajectory, she's going to go down in history as a pioneer.
If the board remains deadlocked, the CEO is going to exercise her veto power.
If the board remains deadlocked, the CEO is going to exercise her veto power.
Fácil de confundir
Learners don't know when to use 'will' vs 'going to'.
Learners use 'going to' for general truths.
Using 'will' after 'when'.
Errores comunes
If I will see him, I am going to tell him.
If I see him, I am going to tell him.
If it rains, I going to stay home.
If it rains, I am going to stay home.
If I win, I am going buy a car.
If I win, I am going to buy a car.
If he go, I'm going to go.
If he goes, I'm going to go.
If I'm going to have time, I'm going to call you.
If I have time, I'm going to call you.
If it is sunny, are you go to the beach?
If it is sunny, are you going to go to the beach?
If they don't come, we not going to start.
If they don't come, we aren't going to start.
If I'll get a raise, I'm going to buy a house.
If I get a raise, I'm going to buy a house.
If I see her, I'll going to tell her.
If I see her, I'm going to tell her.
If the weather will be good, we are going to hike.
If the weather is good, we are going to hike.
If the plan will fail, we are going to lose everything.
If the plan fails, we are going to lose everything.
Patrones de oraciones
If I ___(verb)___, I am going to ___(verb)___.
If it ___(verb+s)___, we aren't going to ___(verb)___.
Are you going to ___(verb)___ if ___(subject)___ ___(verb)___?
If ___(subject)___ doesn't ___(verb)___, I'm going to have to ___(verb)___.
Real World Usage
If I finish work early, I'm gonna head to the gym.
If I am selected for this role, I am going to contribute my skills to the marketing team.
If the hotel is too expensive, we're going to look for an Airbnb.
If this video gets 500 likes, I'm going to dye my hair blue!
If you don't clean your room, I'm not going to take you to the movies.
If the pain continues, I'm going to prescribe some stronger medication.
Piensa en 'Plan Condicional'
La cláusula con 'If' va en Presente Simple
Comunícate Claramente
Las contracciones son lo más
Orden Flexible
Smart Tips
Use 'be going to' to sound more professional and prepared.
Check if the 'will' is inside the 'if' clause. If it is, delete it!
Contract your 'be' verbs and use 'gonna' in speech.
Use 'be going to' to emphasize that the bad result is inevitable.
Pronunciación
Gonna Reduction
In casual speech, 'going to' almost always becomes 'gonna'.
If-Clause Comma Pause
There is usually a slight upward intonation and a brief pause at the comma after the if-clause.
Conditional Rise-Fall
If I win ↗, I'm going to travel ↘.
Signals that the first part is a condition and the second is the result.
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
IF it's PRESENT, the PLAN is GOING to happen.
Asociación visual
Imagine a fork in the road. One path has a sign 'If this happens'. At the end of that path, you are already holding a suitcase (your plan/intention).
Rhyme
If the first part is real and now, 'going to' shows the plan and how.
Story
You are planning a party. You tell your friend: 'If the DJ says yes, I'm going to book the hall.' You already have the hall's phone number in your hand—it's a plan, not a guess!
Word Web
Desafío
Write down 3 things you are going to do this weekend if the weather is good, and 3 things you are going to do if it rains.
Notas culturales
Using 'gonna' is extremely common even in semi-professional settings. Not using it can sometimes sound overly stiff.
British speakers often use 'if' + 'should' for formal conditional intentions.
In negotiations, using 'be going to' sounds more firm and decided than 'will', which can sound like a promise you just thought of.
The 'be going to' construction evolved from the literal verb of movement 'to go'.
Inicios de conversación
If you win the lottery tomorrow, what are you going to buy first?
If you have a free day next week, what are you going to do?
If you move to a new country, what are you going to miss most about home?
If the world economy crashes, how are you going to change your lifestyle?
Temas para diario
Errores comunes
Test Yourself
If I ___ (pass) my exam, I'm going to celebrate all night.
Find and fix the mistake:
If it will be sunny tomorrow, we are going to the beach.
Elige la oración correcta:
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Score: /4
Ejercicios de practica
8 exercisesIf she _______ (pass) the test, she _______ (buy) a new laptop.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
If it rains tomorrow, we going to cancel the picnic.
going / if / buy / I'm / to / it / cheap / is / it
Si tengo dinero, voy a viajar.
1. If I'm late... 2. If it's sunny... 3. If I win...
A: What are your plans for the weekend? B: Well, if the weather is good, _______.
If you're hungry, I'll make a sandwich.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
13 exercisesIf he ___ (work) hard, he's going to finish the project on time.
They going to cancel the picnic if it rains.
Which sentence is correct?
Translate into English: 'Si tenemos tiempo, vamos a visitar el museo.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the conditions with their likely plans:
If you ___ (not/feel) well, I'm going to call a doctor.
If he will travel abroad, he's going to need a visa.
Which of these sentences is correct?
Translate into English: 'Si llueve, vamos a quedarnos en casa.'
Put the words in order:
Connect the 'if' clauses with appropriate 'be going to' intentions:
Select the right option:
Score: /13
Preguntas frecuentes (8)
No. The 'if' clause uses the Present Simple. You can only use 'gonna' in the result part. Example: `If I win, I'm gonna buy a car.`
`I'll buy` sounds like a promise or a decision you just made. `I'm going to buy` sounds like a plan you've had for a long time.
Yes! It's very common. `If you don't stop, you're going to get in trouble.` It implies the result is a logical certainty.
Only if the `if` clause comes first. If you say `I'm going to go if it's sunny`, no comma is needed.
Technically no. The 'if' clause must be Present Simple. However, in very informal speech, people sometimes do it, but it's considered incorrect in standard English.
Yes! `Unless it rains, I'm going to go to the park.` 'Unless' works just like 'if not'.
No, you must conjugate the 'be' verb: `I am`, `He/She/It is`, `You/We/They are`.
Because it deals with 'real' or 'possible' situations in the future, unlike the second conditional which is for imaginary things.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Si + presente, voy a + infinitivo
Spanish speakers often use the present indicative for the result too, whereas English prefers 'going to'.
Si + présent, je vais + infinitif
French cannot use the future tense after 'si', just like English cannot use 'will' after 'if'.
Wenn + Präsens, [Präsens/Futur]
German doesn't have a specific 'going to' intention structure; it uses 'werden' or just the present tense.
〜たら、〜つもりです (~tara, ~tsumori desu)
Japanese grammar for 'if' is much more complex with multiple forms (to, ba, tara, nara).
إذا (Idha) + Present, [Sa/Sawfa] + Present
Arabic doesn't distinguish between 'will' and 'going to' in the same way; 'sawfa' is just more distant future.
如果 (Rúguǒ) ... 就 (jiù) ... 要 (yào)
The word 'jiù' is often required in the result clause to link the condition, which has no English equivalent.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Videos relacionados
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