First, second, third and mixed conditional
- First conditional = if present, will
- Second conditional = if past, would
- Third conditional = if had+ed, would've+ed
- Mixed conditional = if had+ed, would
- Ejercicio sobre Conditional Sentences
Conditional sentences: Resumen
Hay muchos tipos de frases condicionales, pero las más frecuentes son las siguientes:
★ First conditional
if I GIVE a speech, I WILL get nervous
(possible future, future result )
Si doy una charla me pondré nervioso.
★ Second conditional
if I GAVE a speech, I WOULD get nervous
(unexpected future, future result )
Si diese una charla me pondría nervioso.
★ Third conditional
if I HAD GIVEN a speech, I WOULD'VE gOT nervous
(alternative past, past result )
Si hubiera dado una charla me habría puesto nervioso (antes).
★ Mixed conditional
if I HADn't PRACTICED my presentation, I WOULD get nervous
(alternative past, present result )
Si no hubiera predicado la charla me pondría nervioso (ahora).
First conditional
Se usa para condiciones realistas en el presente o futuro. Es probable o muy probable que se cumplan. Ejemplos: instrucciones, objetivos o planes.
If you study harder, you will pass all the subjects.
If I generate 20% more sales, I will meet my annual target.
If I earn this certificate, I will be qualified to practise law.
Sigue la siguiente estructura:
If + condition (present simple) , result (future with will)
Pero puedes perfectamente cambiar el orden, poniendo el resultado delante de la condición.
result (future with will) + if + condition (present simple)
Por ejemplo: You will pass all the subjects if you study harder.
A veces puedes usar 'can' en vez de 'will':
If you come to my town, I can show you around.
Para practicar, completa estas frases:
If I leave home earlier ...
If I talk with the manager ...
I will feel better if ...
I will get a promotion if ...
Second conditional
Se usa para condiciones imposibles o poco en el presente o futuro. Es improbable o poco probable que se cumplan. Ejemplos: situaciones imaginadas, hipótesis, deseos y quejas.
If I had wings, I would fly over the city.
If I were the boss, you all would be fired. **
If my English was better, I would be able to quit this job.
Nota como excepcionalmente decimos ' if I were' el lugar de ' if I was', aunque a menudo se rompe la regla en inglés informal.
Sigue la siguiente estructura:
If + condition (past simple) , result (conditional with would)
Pero puedes perfectamente cambiar el orden, poniendo el resultado delante de la condición.
Result (conditional with would) + if + condition (past simple)
Por ejemplo: You all would be fired if I were the boss.
A veces puedes usar 'could' en vez de 'would':
If you practice your listening, you could understand series in English.
Para practicar, completa estas frases:
If I were taller ...
If you listen to me ...
I would understand you if ...
Your presentation would look nicer if …
Third conditional
Se usa para condiciones pasadas que nunca se cumplieron, es decir para imaginar un pasado que no se puede cambiar. Ejemplos: lamentos o especulaciones pasadas.
If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.
If we had reacted more quickly, we wouldn't have lost that client.
If I hadn't changed jobs, I would have never met you.
Sigue la siguiente estructura:
If + condition (had + -ed or 3rd column) , result (would have + -ed or 3rd column)
'Would have' suele contraerse como 'Would have' en conversación.
Puedes cambiar el orden, con el resultado delante de la condición.
Result (would have + -ed or 3rd column) + if + condition (had + -ed or 3rd column)
Por ejemplo: I would have passed the exam if I had studied harder.
Para practicar, completa estas frases:
If I had started a University degree ...
If you had gone to bed earlier ...
I would have been much happier if ...
They would have hired you if ...
Bonus: Mixed conditional
Aparte de los típicos condicionales de los libros de texto, existen otros que mezclan los anteriores, dependiendo si las condiciones o resultados son en el pasado presente o futuro. El más habitual es cuando una condición pasada tiene consecuencias en el presente o futuro. Ejemplos:
If I had stayed in England, I wouldn't know about these delicious Spanish tapas.
If you had been born in December, you would go to school with older kids.
If there hadn't been a pandemic, remote work wouldn't be so popular.
Sigue la siguiente estructura:
If + condition (had + -ed or 3rd column) , result (would)
Es decir, if + condition like in 3rd conditional + result like in 2nd conditional.
Y por supuesto puedes cambiar el orden:
I wouldn't know about this delicious Spanish tapas If I had stayed in England.
Para practicar, completa estas frases:
If I had warmed up before the match, ...
If you had assigned that client to me, ...
I wouldn't be so busy if ...
We would be selling more if …
Conditional sentences - Ejercicio.
El ejercicio vendra aqui.