CONDITIONALS

CONDITIONALS

1. Conditional structures are used to express something that could happen (present or future) or that could have happened (past).

2. The Zero Conditional

   • It is made up of two verbs in the present tense, one in the main clause and the other in the subordinate clause.
     • If + present simple, …. present simple.
       • This conditional is used for universal truths.
         • EXAMPLE If water boils, it evaporates – Si el agua hierve, se evapora.

3. First Conditional

   • It is formed with a verb in the future in the main sentence and with another in the present in the subordinate.
     • If + present simple, … will + infinitive.
       • This type is used to talk about real or possible situations.
         • EXAMPLE If you come for the weekend, we will go to the cinema – Si vienes para el fin de semana, iremos al cine.

4. Second conditional

   • This conditional is formed with would followed by an infinitive in the main clause and another in the past in the subordinate clause.
     • If + past simple, …would + infinitive.
       • This structure has two uses. The first is to talk about situations in the future that are unlikely to occur.
         • EXAMPLE If I won the lottery, I would spend my life travelling – Si ganara la lotería, me pasaría la vida viajando.
         • The second use is to talk about situations of the present that cannot be given, because they are impossible
           • EXAMPLE If I were you, I would quit my job – si yo fuera tú, dejaría mi trabajo.

5. Third conditional

   • This conditional is formed with a verb in the past participle and preceded by would + have in the main sentence and another in the past perfect in the subordinate.
     • If + past perfect, …would + have + past participle.
       • It is used to talk about the past, describing a situation that did not happen and its possible consequences.
         • EXAMPLE If I had woken up earlier, I would have arrived on time – Si me hubiera levantado antes, habría llegado a tiempo.

6. Mixed conditional

   • MIX THE SECOND CONDITIONAL AND THE THIRD CONDITIONAL
     • If + past perfect + would + infinitive
       • EXAMPLE If I hadn’t spent all my money, I would be able to help you.
     • If + past simple + would have + past participle.
       • EXAMPLE If you really wanted to come, you would have found the way.

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