Understanding English Conditional Clauses: Zero, First, Second, and Third

English Conditional Clauses

A. Conditional Clauses.

1) Zero Conditional: Suggestions and Facts

a) Suggestions: If + Present tense, Imperative = si + Presente de Indicativo, Imperativo.

Examples: If your back hurts, go to the doctor.

b) Facts: (They are not real conditional clauses): If / When / Unless + Present tense, Present tense / modal = si / cuando / a menos que + Presente de Indicativo, Presente de Indicativo.

Examples:

• If / When you get tired while driving, you must stop to rest.
• When you see a massive stampede of animals, a true disaster is coming.
• You can’t get into the underground unless you’ve got a ticket.

2) First Conditional: Possible Future Situations

a) If + Present Simple, Future Simple / can = si + Presente de Indicativo, Futuro Imperfecto / Poder en Presente de Indicativo.

b) When + Present Simple, Future Simple = cuando + Presente de Subjuntivo, Futuro Imperfecto.

c) Unless + Present Simple (negative condition), Future Simple = a menos que / salvo que + Presente de Subjuntivo, Futuro Imperfecto.

Examples:

• What will you do if he doesn’t call you?
• If you miss the last bus, you can get a taxi.
• When you study, you will pass the exam.
• Unless you go (=If you don’t go), she won’t be very pleased.

3) Second Conditional: Hypothetical Present or Future Situations

a) If + Past Simple (I were), would + basic form of the verb / modal (could, might) = si + Pretérito Imperfecto de Subjuntivo, Condicional Simple / Poder en Condicional Simple +Infinitivo.

Examples:

• If I had more time, I would do more exercise.
• If we went by car, we could stop at places on the way.
• If you didn’t go to bed so late, you wouldn’t be so tired in the morning.
• Would you take the manager’s job if they offered it to you?

4) Third Conditional: Impossible Past Situations

a) If + Past Perfect, would have + past participle / modal perfect (could have, might have) = si + Pretérito Pluscuamperfecto de Subjuntivo, Condicional Compuesto / Poder en Condicional Simple +Infinitivo Compuesto.

Examples:

• If I’d known about the meeting, I might have gone.
• If James hadn’t gone on that training course, he wouldn’t have met his wife.
• Would you have gone to the party if you’ had known Lisa was there?