Future Conditional Tense: Negatives, Questions, and Negative Questions

Building on your knowledge of the affirmative Future Conditional (First Conditional), this lesson covers how to form negative statements, questions, and negative questions. These forms are essential for expressing what won't happen under certain conditions, asking about hypothetical situations, and seeking confirmation about future possibilities.

Understanding these forms allows you to communicate more precisely about conditions, consequences, and possibilities in various real-life situations.

1. Negative Forms of Future Conditional

There are three main ways to make Future Conditional sentences negative: negative in the if-clause, negative in the main clause, or negative in both clauses.

1. Negative in the IF-Clause Only

Structure: If + subject + don't/doesn't + base verb, will + base verb

Subject Negative Form Example
I/You/We/They don't + base verb If you don't study, you will fail the exam.
He/She/It doesn't + base verb If she doesn't call, I will be worried.

More Examples:

  • If you don't hurry, you will miss the train.
  • If it doesn't rain, we will go for a picnic.
  • If they don't arrive soon, we will start without them.
  • If he doesn't apologize, she will never forgive him.

2. Negative in the MAIN Clause Only

Structure: If + present simple, won't + base verb

Subject Negative Form Example
All subjects won't + base verb If you call me, I won't answer.

More Examples:

  • If the weather is bad, we won't go to the beach.
  • If you ask him, he won't help you.
  • If she comes late, the teacher won't let her in.
  • If they increase prices, customers won't buy the product.

3. Negative in BOTH Clauses

Structure: If + subject + don't/doesn't + base verb, won't + base verb

Examples:

  • If you don't practice, you won't improve.
  • If it doesn't stop raining, we won't have the party.
  • If they don't invest in technology, they won't survive in the market.
  • If she doesn't change her attitude, people won't like her.

Remember: "Won't" is the contraction of "will not." In formal writing, you can use "will not," but "won't" is more common in spoken English.

2. Forming Yes/No Questions

There are different ways to form questions with Future Conditional, depending on what part of the sentence you want to question.

1. Questions about the RESULT (Main Clause)

Structure: Will + subject + base verb + if + present simple?

Will Subject Base Verb Condition Example
Will you come if I invite you Will you come if I invite you?
Will she help if we ask her Will she help if we ask her?
Will it work if we try this method Will it work if we try this method?

2. Questions about BOTH Parts

Sometimes we ask about the whole conditional relationship:

  • Will the plants die if we don't water them?
  • Will you be happy if you get the promotion?
  • Will they cancel the event if it rains?
  • Will the price go down if demand decreases?

3. Questions Starting with the IF-Clause

Structure: If + present simple, will + subject + base verb?

  • If you win the lottery, will you quit your job?
  • If she studies abroad, will she come back?
  • If they reduce the price, will more people buy it?
  • If we leave now, will we arrive on time?

3. Forming WH-Questions

WH-questions allow you to ask for specific information about conditions and their results.

Questions about the RESULT

Structure: WH-word + will + subject + base verb + if + condition?

  • What will you do if you lose your job?
  • Where will they go if they move?
  • When will she arrive if she takes the early flight?
  • How will we manage if he doesn't help us?
  • Who will replace her if she leaves?
  • Why will they complain if we change the policy?

Questions about the CONDITION

Structure: What will happen if + condition?

  • What will happen if we don't pay the rent?
  • What will happen if the computer crashes?
  • What will happen if they discover the truth?
  • What will happen if we miss the deadline?

Questions about WHEN the Condition Might Occur

  • When will you know if you got the job?
  • When will we find out if the plan works?
  • How soon will they respond if we contact them?

Complex WH-Questions

  • How much will it cost if we hire more staff?
  • How long will it take if we use this method?
  • How many people will come if we hold the event outdoors?
  • Which option will work better if we have limited time?

4. Forming Negative Questions

Negative questions in Future Conditional are used to express surprise, seek confirmation, or show expectation.

Structure and Forms

With Contractions (More Common): Won't + subject + base verb + if + condition?

Without Contractions (More Formal): Will + subject + not + base verb + if + condition?

Negative Question Usage Expected Answer
Won't you be upset if they cancel the trip? Seeking confirmation Yes, I will. / No, I won't.
Won't it be expensive if we hire a consultant? Expressing concern Yes, it will. / No, it won't.
Won't they be angry if we change the schedule? Anticipating reaction Yes, they will. / No, they won't.

Different Uses of Negative Questions

1. Expressing Surprise:

  • Won't you be late if you leave so late?
  • Won't she be disappointed if you don't go to her party?

2. Seeking Confirmation of Expectations:

  • Won't the meeting be cancelled if the boss is sick?
  • Won't they offer you the job if you interview well?

3. Showing Concern or Worry:

  • Won't you get in trouble if your parents find out?
  • Won't we lose money if we invest in this company?

4. Making Polite Suggestions:

  • Won't it be better if we postpone the meeting?
  • Won't you feel more comfortable if you wear a jacket?

5. Short Answers with Future Conditional

When answering yes/no questions about Future Conditional, we use short answers with the auxiliary verb "will" (not the past participle).

Structure for Short Answers:

  • Positive: Yes, + subject + will
  • Negative: No, + subject + won't
Question Positive Short Answer Negative Short Answer
Will you come if I invite you? Yes, I will. No, I won't.
Will she help if we ask her? Yes, she will. No, she won't.
Will they be angry if we're late? Yes, they will. No, they won't.
Will it work if we try this method? Yes, it will. No, it won't.

Important Notes about Short Answers:

  • We never include the main verb in short answers: ❌ "Yes, I will come." ✅ "Yes, I will."
  • We usually use contractions in negative short answers: "No, I won't" (not "No, I will not")
  • The condition part is not repeated in short answers

6. Summary Table of All Forms

Type Structure Example
Affirmative If + present simple, will + base verb If it rains, I will stay home.
Negative (if-clause) If + don't/doesn't + base verb, will + base verb If it doesn't rain, I will go out.
Negative (main clause) If + present simple, won't + base verb If it rains, I won't go out.
Yes/No Question Will + subject + base verb + if + present simple? Will you stay home if it rains?
WH-Question WH-word + will + subject + base verb + if + condition? What will you do if it rains?
Negative Question Won't + subject + base verb + if + condition? Won't you be cold if you don't wear a coat?

7. Common Mistakes with Negatives and Questions

Incorrect Correct Explanation
If you won't study, you will fail. If you don't study, you will fail. Use present simple (don't), not future (won't) in if-clause.
Will you come if you will have time? Will you come if you have time? Don't use "will" in the if-clause, even in questions.
If she doesn't calls, I will be worried. If she doesn't call, I will be worried. Use base form after "doesn't," not third person -s form.
What you will do if it rains? What will you do if it rains? Use correct question word order: WH-word + will + subject.
Won't you will be late if you leave now? Won't you be late if you leave now? Don't use both "won't" and "will" together.
If it doesn't will rain, we will go out. If it doesn't rain, we will go out. Don't mix "doesn't" with "will" in the if-clause.

8. Using Modal Verbs in Questions and Negatives

Just like in affirmative sentences, you can use other modal verbs instead of "will" in questions and negatives:

With "Can" (ability/permission):

  • Can you help me if I need assistance?
  • If you don't have a license, you can't drive.
  • Can't we leave early if we finish the work?

With "Should" (advice/recommendation):

  • Should I call a doctor if I feel worse?
  • If you're not feeling well, you shouldn't go to work.
  • Shouldn't we take umbrellas if it might rain?

With "Might" (possibility):

  • If we're lucky, we might not have to wait long.
  • Might they cancel the event if not enough people sign up?

Practice Test - Negative Forms

Choose the correct negative form for each sentence.

1. If you ______ hard, you won't pass the exam.

2. If the weather is good, we ______ inside.

3. If she ______ early, she will miss the beginning of the movie.

4. If they invite us, we ______ to go.

5. If it ______ raining, the match will be cancelled.

Transform to Questions

Transform the following statements into questions as indicated.

Yes/No Questions Practice

Choose the correct question form.

1. ______ you help me if I ask nicely?

2. ______ it be expensive if we hire more staff?

3. ______ they come if we invite them to the party?

4. If she doesn't call, ______ you be worried?

5. ______ the meeting be cancelled if the boss is sick?

Short Answers Practice

Complete each short answer correctly.

1. "Will you come if I invite you?" "Yes, ______."

2. "Will they be angry if we're late?" "No, ______."

3. "Will she help if we ask her?" "Yes, ______."

4. "Won't you be tired if you work all night?" "Yes, ______."

5. "Will it work if we try this method?" "No, ______."

WH-Questions Practice

Choose the correct question word to complete each question.

1. ______ will you do if you lose your job?

2. ______ will they go if they move from this city?

3. ______ will replace her if she leaves the company?

4. ______ much will it cost if we hire a consultant?

5. ______ will happen if we don't pay the rent on time?

Summary: Key Points to Remember

  1. Negative in if-clause: If + don't/doesn't + base verb, will + base verb
  2. Negative in main clause: If + present simple, won't + base verb
  3. Yes/No questions: Will + subject + base verb + if + condition?
  4. WH-questions: WH-word + will + subject + base verb + if + condition?
  5. Negative questions: Won't + subject + base verb + if + condition?
  6. Short answers: Yes, + subject + will / No, + subject + won't
  7. Never use "will" in the if-clause, even in questions and negatives
  8. Use present simple forms (don't/doesn't) for negatives in if-clause
  9. Questions can be about the result, condition, or both
  10. Negative questions express surprise, concern, or seek confirmation

Mastering negative forms and questions in Future Conditional allows you to express doubts, ask about possibilities, and communicate more precisely about conditions and their consequences. Remember that the fundamental rule still applies: use present simple in the if-clause and will/won't in the main clause, regardless of whether the sentence is positive, negative, or a question!