Conditional Sentences (Frases condicionales)

El uso del condicional significa que una accin depende de otra. Los condicionales se utilizan para
hablar sobre situaciones reales o irreales. En general, las frases condicionales llevan la palabra "if" (si),
aunque en otro momento se vern otras opciones.

Hay cuatro tipos de frases condicionales: El 0, 1, 2 y 3. El uso de uno sobre otro refleja la mayor o
menor probabilidad de la accin, o la imposibilidad de la misma por ser ya un hecho pasado (tipo 3)

Tipos de los condicionales

Zero Conditional (Tipo 0)

Se usa este tipo del condicional cuando la condicin y el resultado siempre es verdad, como por
ejemplo los hechos cientficos, o las acciones que suceden de forma inmediata una tras la otra y
como consecueencia de lla.

IF CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE

Present simple Present simple

Ejemplos:

If you heat water to 100 C, it boils. / Water boils if you heat it to 100 C (*)
Does your mom get mad if you don't call her?
If you press this button, the alarm sounds

(*) Podemos cambiar el orden de los frases sin cambiar el significado. Tambin, en general con este
tipo de condicional, podemos sustituir "if" con "when" sin alterar el significado.

First Conditinal (Tipo 1)

Esto tipo del condicional se utiliza para el futuro y en los casos cuando es muy probable que la
condicin suceda.

IF-CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE

Present simple Future simple ("will")
Ejemplos:
If Bill studies, he will pass the exam
Its sunny and warm today. If it doesn't rain after lunch, we will go to the beach
Will you take the train if you miss the bus?

Nota: Se pueden usar algunos verbos modales en vez de "will" para cambiar la probabilidad o
expresar una opinin. Ejemplos:

If it doesn't rain, we may go to the beach. (*Con el uso de "may", el significado de esta frase
cambia. Ahora, el hablante reconoce que puede ir a la playa pero no esta tan seguro de si ir.
May equivaldra a un a lo mejor.)

If it doesn't rain we should go to the beach. (*En este caso, el uso de "should" expresa la
opinin del hablante..deberamos.)

If it doesn't rain we can go to the beach. ("Can" implica que es posible ir a la playa)
Second Conditional (Tipo 2)

Se utiliza el tipo 2 para expresar una posibilidad irreal en el presente, como un deseo o un sueo, o
para una accin en el futuro no tan probable.

IF-CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE

Past simple "Would" + infinitivo
Ejemplos:
I would travel around the world if I won the lottery (not impossible, but very difficult)
If Rachel had more time, she would learn to play the guitar, but she is very busy
If it was sunny on Saturday I would go to the beach, but I think its going to rain

Nota: Como en el tipo 1, se pueden usar otros verbos modales en vez de "would" para cambiar el
significado y la posibilidad.

Third Conditional (Tipo 3)

A diferencia a los tipos 1 y 2, se utiliza el tercer tipo del condicional cuando hablamos de una
condicion en el pasado que no ha sucedido. La accin ya no tiene posibilidad de enmienda.

IF-CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE

Past perfect (had been) "Would have" + past participle

Ejemplos:

If Suzanne had gone on a diet as her doctor recommended she wouldn't have had the heart attack.
(Suzanne no hubiera tenido el infarto si hubiera hecho dieta como su mdico le recomend.)

Would you have liked to go to university if you had been able to afford it (Te habra gustado ir a la
universidad si te lo hubieras permitido pagar?)
EXERCISES

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2.- Zero Conditional

Complete the sentences with some advice

1.-If you have a headache

2.-If you want to stop smoking
3.-If you have a problem at work / school
4.- If you cant wake up in the mornings
5.- If you need to arrive in Barcelona in two hours

3.- Conditional sentences Type 1

Some friends are planning a party. Everybody wants to have fun, but nobody wants to organize it
alone. So everybody comes with a few conditions, to make sure that the others will also do
something.

Complete the Conditional Sentences Type I with the following verbs:

be (x2) bring buy clean cut decorate do give help - look after mix organize peel
prepare tidy - welcome

1. If Caroline and Sue the salad, Phil . the house.

2. If Sue . the onions for the salad, Caroline .. the mushrooms.
3. If Bob up the kitchen, Anita the toilet.
4. Elaine the drinks if somebody her carry the bottles.
5. If Alan and Rebecca the living-room, Mary and Conor the sandwiches.
6. If Bob after the barbecue, Sue the guests as they arrive.
7. Frank the DJ if the others their CDs.
8. Alan the drinks if Jane him some of her cocktail recipes.
9. If they all their best, the party great.

4.- Conditional sentences - Type 2

Rewrite the sentences using a second conditional

Example:
I cant take you to the airport because I havent got a car
-- > If I had a car I would take you to the airport

1.- Ive got a headache. Im not going swimming

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2.- I dont know the answer, so I cant tell you

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3.- We wont have a holiday this year because we havent got any money
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4.-I havent got any free time, so I wont learn Russian

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5.- We havent got a big house, so we cant invite friends to stay

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6.- There arent any eggs, so I wont make an omelette

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7.- Weve got 3 children, so we wont take a year off and travel round the world
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8.- I havent got a mobile, so you cant call me

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9.- He cant win the lottery, he never buys a ticket!

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10-Francis works very hard, he has no time to spend with his family
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