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Grammar

Shopping (Compras)

The "Real" Conditional

Sentences in the present conditional have one part of the sentence which begins with "if" and contains a verb in the present tense and another part of the sentence in the future.  If the part of the sentence with "if" goes first, use a comma.  The present conditional also known as the "real" conditional because it is generally used with situations that are very likely (probable).  For example, in the sentence below, rain is a definite possibility. 

If it rains, I will use an umbrella.   Si llueva, usaré mi paraguas.
I will use an umbrella if it rains.   Usaré mi paraguas si llueva.

Practice
Write a sentence in the present conditional using the information provided.  Don't forget to use a comma if the part of the sentence with "if" goes first.  Although you can write present conditional sentences with contractions, for this exercise please write the sentences without contractions like the example.

example
If/it/rain/I/use an umbrella

The "Unreal" Conditional

Sentences in the "unreal" conditional have one part of the sentence that begins with the word "if" and contains a verb in what looks like the past tense and another part of the sentence which contains the modal verb "would."  If the part of the sentence with "if" goes first, use a comma.  These sentences are known as "unreal" conditional because they contain conditions that are not likely (probable).  For example, in the sentence below, winning the lottery is not very likely. 

If I won the lottery, I would buy a new car.  Si ganara la lotería, compraré un carro nuevo.
I would buy a new car if I won the lottery.  Compraré un carro nuevo si ganara la lotería.

As I mentioned before the verb in the part of the sentence beginning with "if" is put in what looks like past tense form.  The only exception is with the verb "to be."  It has traditionally been considered to be grammatically correct to use "were" even with the first person singular ("I") and the third person singular (he/she/it).

If I were rich, I would travel around the world.  Si fuera rico, viajaría por todo el mundo.

The "Unreal" conditional was also taught in lesson 16 in Intermediate Level.  To review this lesson click HERE.  Click on the "Back" button on your browser to return to this lesson when you are finished.

Practice
Write a sentence in the "unreal" conditional using the information provided.  Don't forget to use a comma if the part of the sentence with "if" goes first.  Although you can write conditional sentences with contractions, for this exercise please write the sentences without contractions like the example.

example
If/we/have/a private airplane/we/travel/around the world

Instructions Find the mistake in the following sentences.  Write the sentence correctly. example He are a student.  1.  If she will study, she will pass the test.        2. I wold be careful if I were you.        3. If I have a a lot of money, I'd travel.        4. I carged the new blouse to my credit card.         5. If they lived here they would attend that school. *        ANTES DE REVISAR Si escribió dos espacios entre las palabras en lugar de uno, la computadora va a interpretar que es un error al revisar.  También asegure que escribió correctamente las letras en mayúsculas o minúsculas como corresponde y que escribió el punto al final.               *The error in #5 is the comma.  It needs a comma.