النقل · Programme: First conditional · Grammar: If + present → future
By the end of this lesson, I can:
- Name means of transport and talk about them (convenient, frequent, available…)
- Use by / on with means of transport (by bus, on foot)
- Make sentences with the first conditional: If + present simple, will + verb
- Ask for information and help: Where is the enquiry office? Could you give me a hand?
- Distinguish /eɪ/ (train) and /e/ (ten)
🖼️ Picture dictionary قاموس مصوّر
tap 🔊 to listen📚 كلمات الدرس
12 كلمة من هذا الدرس في القاموس المدرسي: المعنى بالعربية والفرنسية، والنطق، ومثال.
📖 Read: Getting around Tunis: a guide for exchange students أقرأ
Welcome to Tunis! Here is some useful advice for moving around the capital.
🚋 The light metro is cheap and convenient. Its lines go throughout the city and the suburbs, and trams are frequent during the day. If you want to visit the old medina, you will get off near Place Barcelone or Bab Saadoun and walk a few minutes.
🚆 The TGM train links the city centre to the coast. If you take it on a sunny afternoon, you will see Carthage, Sidi Bou Said and La Marsa from the window.
🚌 Buses go almost everywhere, but they are often crowded. If you travel at 8 a.m., you won’t find a seat!
🚕 Yellow taxis are available day and night. If the driver doesn’t turn on the meter, ask him politely to do it.
🚐 For trips to other towns, louages are fast and popular. They leave when they are full.
❓ Need help? Timetables and maps are available at the enquiry desk in the main stations. And don’t worry: if you get lost, Tunisians will happily give you a hand. If you ask in English, French or Arabic, someone will understand you!
Do you understand? أفهم
Answer in your copybook first, then check.
- Which means of transport goes throughout the city and the suburbs?
Answer
The light metro.
- What will you see if you take the TGM?
Answer
Carthage, Sidi Bou Said and La Marsa (the coast).
- What is the problem with buses at 8 a.m.?
Answer
They are crowded: you won’t find a seat.
- Where can you find timetables and maps?
Answer
At the enquiry desk in the main stations.
- What will happen if you get lost?
Answer
Tunisians will happily give you a hand.
🧩 Grammar القواعد
The first conditional talks about a real, possible situation in the present or future and its result.
If + present simple (condition), will / won’t + base verb (result)
- If it rains, I will take the bus.
- If you don’t hurry, you will miss the train.
The two parts can change places. When “if” comes first, put a comma: If the train is late, I’ll call you. / I’ll call you if the train is late.
⚠️ Never put will in the if-clause: If it will rain rains…
الشرط من النوع الأول: If + المضارع البسيط، ثم will + الفعل. نستعمله لشيء ممكن الحدوث ونتيجته. لا نضع will بعد if.
Condition ▸ result
| If-clause: present simple | Main clause: will / won’t + verb |
|---|---|
| If the bus is late, | I will take a taxi. |
| If you take the TGM, | you will see the sea. |
| If it doesn’t rain, | we will go by bike. |
| If there is a lot of traffic, | we won’t arrive on time. |
Means of transport
| Air ✈️ | Sea ⛴️ | Land 🚌 |
|---|---|---|
| plane | ferry | bus, louage, taxi |
| helicopter | boat | train, metro, underground |
| ship | car, motorbike, bike |
by bus / car / train / plane / taxi / ferry — but on foot.
With “the / my”: on the bus, in my car, in a taxi.
Pros and cons
💬 Useful expressions عبارات مفيدة
Asking for information
Asking for and offering help
Talking about results
🔊 Pronunciation النطق
Worked examples أمثلة محلولة
Try first, then read the solution.
If you (take) the metro, you (arrive) on time.
Step-by-step solution
- If-clause ▸ present simple: take.
- Main clause ▸ will + base verb: will arrive.
✓ If you take the metro, you will arrive on time.
“If it will rain, we will stay at home.”
Step-by-step solution
- No “will” in the if-clause.
- Use the present simple: it rains.
✓ If it rains, we will stay at home.
The bus is full. I will walk. (Use “if”.)
Step-by-step solution
- Condition: the bus is full.
- Result: I will walk.
- Put a comma after the if-clause.
✓ If the bus is full, I will walk.
⚠️ Common mistakes أخطاء شائعة
⭐ Remember أحفظ
- First conditional: If + present simple, will / won’t + base verb.
- It is used for real, possible situations and their results.
- No “will” after “if”. Use a comma when “if” starts the sentence.
- by bus / by train / by plane… but on foot.
- Useful words: convenient, frequent, available, throughout, enquiry, give a hand.
- /eɪ/ train, plane – /e/ ten, ferry.
Quick quiz اختبار سريع
4 questions · instant feedback1. If the train … late, I’ll call you.
2. If you take a taxi, you … there faster.
3. Buses come every five minutes. They are very …
4. I go to school … foot.
✍️ Write: How will I travel to my friend’s town? أكتب
Next summer you are going to visit a friend in another town. Which means of transport will you choose? Compare at least two means of transport (advantages and disadvantages) and use the first conditional at least three times. Use linkers: but, because, however, therefore, when.
Steps
- Say where you are going and who you will visit.
- Compare two or three means of transport (fast, cheap, comfortable, crowded…).
- Use If + present ▸ will to give results.
- Give your final choice and say why.
A model text to compare with (after writing mine)
Next summer I am going to visit my friend Yosra in Tabarka. I can go by louage, by bus or by car with my father. The louage is fast and quite cheap, but it is not very comfortable for long distances. If I take the bus, I will pay less, however it will take more time. My father’s car is the most comfortable, but if he drives me there, he will lose a day of work. Therefore, I will choose the bus. If I leave early in the morning, I will arrive before lunch, and Yosra will meet me at the station. I can’t wait!
One good example among many: compare, don’t copy.
😊 The lighter side استراحة
Slow and steady wins the race.
What has four wheels and flies?
Answer
A rubbish truck!
A driver asks a policeman: “Can I park here?” – “No.” – “So why are all these other cars parked here?” – “They didn’t ask!”
✅ Exercises تمارين
All exercises →6 exercises on three levels, with new questions every time.
- Choose the right answerTo do
- ClassifyTo do
- Situation 1To do
- Situation 2To do
Practise: Transport
True or false, complete, choose, classify and situations: instant correction with explanations.
Got the lesson? Try it yourself
6 exercises · instant correction · new questions every time
Start the exercisesPictures: Twemoji (CC-BY 4.0). Texts, explanations and exercises: Scolaire.tn.