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The Conditional

In conditional sentences we imagine what would happen under certain imaginary conditions.

If I had a lot of money, I would travel around the world.
Si tuviera yo mucho dinero, viajaría por todo el mundo.

 

I don't have a lot of money but I am imagining what I would do if I had a lot of money.

 

In conditional sentences the part of the sentence beginning with the word "if" is put into the past tense form (although it doesn't refer to the past). If the verb is negative you use "didn't" just as you would normally in the past.

 

In the second part of the sentence (the part without "if") we use the auxiliary verb "would".  If the sentence is negative, you would use "would not" or the contraction "wouldn't." 

If I had a lot of money, I would travel around the world.
If I had a lot of money, I wouldn't work.

 

You can put the part of the sentence with "if" first or second, but if you put it first you need a comma after it.

If I had a lot of money, I wouldn't work.
I wouldn't work if I had a lot of money.

 

 

NOTE #1:
The verb "to be" can be a little different in conditional sentences.  This is an aspect of grammar that is changing.  When I was in elementary school I remember the grammar books saying that we needed to say . . .

If I were rich, I would travel around the world.

 

I learned that in conditional sentences such as this one, the verb "to be" always had to be "were," even for the first and third person singular (I, he, she, it).

 

Although it was considered bad grammar at the time, many people would say . . . 

If I was rich, I would travel around the world.

 

It became so common that now in many grammar books it says that both "were" and "was" are correct alternatives.

 

 

NOTE #2:
Don't forget that "could" is the past tense of "can."  As I mentioned before you put the verb into the past tense form when we talk about an imaginary situation, with imaginary situations about what someone can do we would use "could", the past of "can."

If I could fly like a bird, I would sell my car.
Si pudiera volar como un pájaro, venderé mi carro.

 

The verb "could" also can be used in place of "would" in conditional sentences to mean "podría."

If I had wings, I could fly like a bird.
Si tuviera alas, podría volar como un pájaro.

 

Practice
Make conditional sentences with the information provided.

examples
If/win the lottery/no work

travel to Europe/if/have a private airplane

1.   If/speak English well/get a good job
    
    

2.   If/have enough money/buy a new car
    
    

3.   move to a different neighborhood/if/can afford it
    
    

4.   get married/if/meet the right man
    
    

5.   If/have more vacation time/travel
    
    

6.   exercise/if/have a membership at a gym
    
    

7.   no shop at cheap stores/if/have more money
    
    

8.   If/no have children/go out dancing at night
    
    

9.   If/no have a computer/no visit the Ingles Mundial web site
    
    

10. no work long days/if/no need money
    
    

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.

            

 

 

 

More Practice
What would you do in these imaginary situations?  Finish the sentences.  There are no right or wrong answers.

example
If I were rich,

If I were the president of my country,

If I had a million dollars,

If I were invisible,

If I were young again,

If I could speak English perfectly,

 

 

Making Speculations

 

The auxiliary verbs "could," "might," and "may" can be used to make speculations.  
  

    Who is that woman?

    She could be a famous singer.
    She might be a movie star.
    She may be a fashion designer.

 

 

To make them negative you would add "not".  You can make a contraction with "could" but not with "might" and "may."

She couldn't be the president.
She might not be from this country.
She may not be from this planet.

 

Instructions
Find the mistake (error) in the following sentences.  Write the sentence correctly.

example
He are a student. 

1. If I have a car, I would drive.  
    

2. I need new speekers for my computer.  
    

3. If I were rich, I can buy a mansion.  
    

4. If I would travel, I would go to China.   
    

5. I would help people, if I were president.*  
    

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.

             

*El error en el #5 es la coma.

 

 

 

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