Mastering Third Conditionals and Legal English
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Conditional Sentences in Event Planning
It is clear that the event was very badly organized. If I were the organizer, I would confirm the speakers who would be present and those who would not. If I had known in advance, I would have arranged for a speaker. I would ask that there be silence and that everyone turn off their phones during the conference. If I were Emma, I would have anticipated the traffic congestion and I would have organized the schedule well, and if necessary, I would have waited a few minutes until all the delegates were present to start, since traffic cannot be controlled. I would study the space of the venue and the one I need for the conference; if I had known in advance, I could have rented a venue with more space. I would have two nurses present for incidents, and they would not be missing at any time to be able to help if there were a need. (If + past perfect and would/could/might have + participle).
“If I had known in advance, I would have arranged for an interpreter. If I hadn’t anticipated the bad weather, I wouldn’t have had a contingency plan. They could have played the match if the pitch had been covered beforehand. We might have found a better venue if we had done some more research. If he hadn’t missed his train, he’d be here by now. Had I realized how important it was, I would have reacted more quickly.”
Legal English Vocabulary and Translations
| Legal English Term | Spanish Translation |
|---|---|
| whereas | mientras |
| sets forth | establece |
| hereby | por la presente |
| shall | deberá |
| such as but not limited to | tales como, pero no limitado a |
| breaches | infracciones |
| subject to | sujeto a |
| deemed | juzgado |
| should | debería |
| construed | interpretado |
| irrevocably | irrevocablemente |
| jurisdiction | jurisdicción |
| thereof | de ello |
| bound | ligado |
| breach | incumplimiento |
| forthwith | en el acto |
Key Characteristics of Legal English
Adverbial expressions with "here": e.g., hereinafter (= later in this document).
Formulaic language: e.g., whereas (= considering that), "it is agreed as follows."
The use of "shall": In legal documents, shall means "must."
Two equivalent words joined by "and": e.g., terms and conditions, covenants and agreements.
The use of "such": In legal documents, such refers back to a previously mentioned noun.
Long sentences: This is often owing to a desire to be all-inclusive so that no eventuality is omitted.