Conditionals — first and second · Condicionales — primero y segundo
If … , then …
- A conditional says "if this happens, then that happens".
- At B1 we focus on the first and second conditionals.
- They look similar but mean different things.
If it rains tomorrow, my umbrella will choose to stay at home.
Si …, entonces …
- Un condicional dice "si pasa esto, entonces pasa aquello".
- En el nivel B1 nos centramos en los condicionales primero y segundo.
- Parecen similares pero significan cosas diferentes.
If it rains tomorrow, my umbrella will choose to stay at home.
First conditional — real future
If + present simple, will + base verb.- For a real, possible future.
- If it rains, we will stay home. If you hurry, you'll catch the bus.
Primer condicional — futuro real
If + present simple, will + base verb.- Para un futuro real y posible.
- If it rains, we will stay home. If you hurry, you'll catch the bus.
Complete the first conditional: If it rains, we ___ at home. · Completa el condicional primero: If it rains, we ___ at home.
First conditional: If + present, will + base verb → “will stay”. · Condicional primero: If + presente, will + verbo base → “will stay”.
Is this correct? “If it will rain, we will stay home.” · ¿Es esto correcto? “If it will rain, we will stay home.”
The if-clause uses the present, not will: “If it rains, we will stay home.” · La cláusula if usa el presente, no will: “If it rains, we will stay home.”
Translate into English: 如果下雨,我们就待在家里。 · Traduce al inglés: 如果下雨,我们就待在家里。
First conditional: If + present, will + base verb. · Condicional primero: If + presente, will + verbo base.
Second conditional — unreal / unlikely
If + past simple, would + base verb.- For something imaginary or unlikely now.
- If I had more time, I would travel. If I were you, I'd rest.
Segundo condicional — irreal / poco probable
If + past simple, would + base verb.- Para algo irreal o poco probable ahora mismo.
- If I had more time, I would travel. If I were you, I'd rest.
First or second conditional? · ¿Condicional primero o segundo?
First = real future (present + will); second = unreal now (past + would). · Primero = futuro real (presente + will); segundo =_irreal actual (pasado + would).
Second conditional: If I ___ you, I would rest. (use the past of “be”) · Condicional segundo: If I ___ you, I would rest. (usa el pasado de “be”)”
Second conditional often uses “were” for all subjects: “If I were you …”. · El condicional segundo a menudo usa “were” para todos los sujetos: “If I were you …”.
unless
- unless = if … not.
- You'll be late unless you hurry. (= if you don't hurry)
- Don't add another "not" after unless.
unless
- unless = if … not.
- You'll be late unless you hurry. (= if you don't hurry)
- No añadas otro "not" después de unless.
Common mistakes
- ❌ If I will have time, I'll help. → ✓ If I have time, I'll help.
- ❌ If I would be rich, I would travel. → ✓ If I were rich… — would stays in the main clause.
- Keep the pair together: real → If + present, will; unreal → If + past, would.
Errores comunes
- ❌ If I will have time, I'll help. → ✓ If I have time, I'll help.
- ❌ If I would be rich, I would travel. → ✓ If I were rich… — would se mantiene en la cláusula principal.
- Mantén la pareja junta: real → If + presente, will; irreal → If + pasado, would.
Match each if-clause to its main clause. · Une cada cláusula if con su cláusula principal.
First conditional → will; second → would; zero (facts) → present + present. · Condicional primero → will; segundo → would; cero (hechos) → presente + presente.
Which sentence is correct? · ¿Cuál oración es correcta?
Unreal present: If + past simple, would + base. · Presente irreal: If + pasado simple, would + verbo base.
- First conditional (real): If + present, will + base verb.
- Second conditional (unreal): If + past, would + base verb.
- The if-clause never uses will; unless = if … not.
- Primer condicional (real): If + presente, will + verbo base.
- Segundo condicional (irreal): If + pasado, would + verbo base.
- La cláusula con if nunca usa will; unless = if … not.
Imagine an unreal situation. Write one sentence with the second conditional (If + past, would + base verb). · Imagina una situación irreal. Escribe una oración con el condicional segundo (If + pasado, would + verbo base).
Example: “If I won the lottery, I would travel the world.” · Ejemplo: “If I won the lottery, I would travel the world.”