lunes, 10 de junio de 2013


The third conditional (also called conditional type 3) is a structure used for talking about unreal situations in the past. This page will explain how the third conditional is formed, and when to use it.



 The structure of a third conditional sentence
Like the other conditionals, a third conditional sentence consists of two clauses, an “if” clause and a main clause:
IF clausemain clause
If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.
Explanation: I failed the exam, because I didn't study hard enough.

If the “if” clause comes first, a comma is usually used. If the “if” clause comes second, there is no need for a comma:
main clauseIF clause
I probably would have passed the examif I had studied harder.
We use different verb forms in each part of a third conditional:
IF clauseif + subject + past perfect verb*
main clausesubject + would (OR could, OR might) have + past participle
*The past perfect is formed with the auxiliary verb “had”, and the past participle (or third form) of the verb.
Note also that third conditional forms can be contracted:
Full formIf I had studied harder, I probably would have passed the exam.
Contracted formIf I'd studied harder, I probably would've passed the exam.

Using the third conditional

The third conditional is used to talk about things which did not happen in the past. If your native language does not have a similar construction, you may find this a little strange, but it can be very useful. It is often used to express criticism or regret:


The first conditional and second conditionals talk about the future. With the third conditional we talk about the past. We talk about a condition in the past that did not happen. That is why there is no possibility for this condition. The third conditional is also like a dream, but with no possibility of the dream coming true.
Last week you bought a lottery ticket. But you did not win. :-(


conditionresult
Past PerfectWOULD HAVE + Past Participle
IfI had won the lotteryI would have bought a car.


IFconditionresult
past perfectWOULD HAVE + past participle
IfI had seen MaryI would have told her.
IfTara had been free yesterdayI would have invited her.
Ifthey had not passed their examtheir teacher would have been sad.
Ifit had rained yesterdaywould you have stayed at home?
Ifit had rained yesterdaywhat would you have done?


resultIFcondition
WOULD HAVE + past participlepast perfect
I would have told MaryifI had seen her.
I would have invited Taraifshe had been free yesterday.
Their teacher would have been sadifthey had not passed their exam.
Would you have stayed at homeifit had rained yesterday?
What would you have doneifit had rained yesterday?

ExampleExplanation
If you had driven more carefully, you would not have had an accident. Criticism: You had an accident because you didn't drive carefully enough.
If we had played a little better, we could have won the game. Regret: We didn't play well, so we lost the game.
If you had saved your money, you could have bought a computer.Criticism: You didn't save your money, so now you can't afford a computer.
If it had snowed, we could have gone skiing.Regret: It didn't snow, so we couldn't go skiing.



Here are some examples traslate

  • If I had won the lottery, I would have traveled around the world.Si yo hubiera ganado la lotería, habría viajado por todo el mundo.
  • If I had seen him, I would have told him about you.Si lo hubiese visto, le habría contado acerca de ti.
  • If I had known the answer, I would have raised my hand.Si hubiese sabido la respuesta, habría levantado mi mano.
  • If she had come on Saturday, I would have seen her.Si ella hubiese venido el sábado, la habría visto.
  • If they had left earlier, they would have arrived on time.Si ellos hubiesen salido más temprano, habrían llegado a tiempo.
  • If we had studied harder, we might have passed the test.Si hubiésemos estudiado más duro, podríamos haber aprobado la prueba.
  • If you had gone to Brazil, you would have had lots of fun.Si tu hubieses ido a Brasil, habrías tenido mucha diversión.
  • If I hadn't been so busy, I could have helped you.Si no hubiese estado tan ocupado, te podría haber ayudado.
  • If you had phoned me, I would have known you were here.Si tu me hubieses telefoneado, habría sabido que estabas aquí.
  • If they had invited us, we would have accepted at once.Si ellos nos hubiesen invitado, habríamos aceptado de inmediato.
  • If she had explained me the problem, I would have understood it.Si ella me hubiese explicado el problema, lo habría entendido.


  • LETS PRACTICE :) ...

    1. Complete the following sentences with the THIRD CONDITIONAL. Use abbreviations for the negative verbs:
      
    a) If Jane  (not/lose) her job as a sales representative in London, she  (not/move) to Edinburgh.
    b) If she  (not/move) to Edinburgh, she  (not/find) a job in a new company.
    c) If she  (not/find) a job in the new company, she  (not/meet) Adam.
    d) If she  (not/meet) Adam, they  (not/fall) in love.
    e) If they  (not/fall) in love, Adam  (not/ask) Jane to marry him.
      
     f) If Michael's alarm clock  (ring) on time, he  (have) time to have breakfast at home.
    g) If he  (have) breakfast and home, he  (feel) more relaxed.
    h) If he  (feel) more relaxed, he  (not/drive) so fast.
    i) If he  (drive) slowly, he  (see) the "STOP" sign.
    j) If he  (see) the sign, he  (not/crash) against the other car.

    2. Choose the correct ending for the following sentences:
    a) If the weather had been better yesterday,
    b) If Jane had arrived on time last night,
    c) If I had studied more for my exams,
    d) We would have had a wonderful weekend
    e) The party would have been funnier


    Heres this video 


    domingo, 2 de junio de 2013

       Second Conditional: unreal possibility or dream

    The second conditional is like the first conditional. We are still thinking about the future. We are thinking about a particular condition in the future, and the result of this condition. But there is not a real possibility that this condition will happen.

    STRUCTUREIf     +     Simple Past     +     Modal     +     Base Verb





    IFconditionresult
    past simpleWOULD + base verb
    IfI won the lotteryI would buy a car.

    The Second Conditional is used to talk about 'impossible' situations.
    • If we were in London today, we would be able to go to the concert in Hyde Park.
    • If I had millions dollars, I'd give a lot to charity.
    • If there were no hungry people in this world, it would be a much better place.
    • If everyone had clean water to drink, there would be a lot less disease.

       Some examples: 




      • If I won the lottery, I would travel around the world.
        Si ganara la lotería, viajaría por todo el mundo.
      • If I were in Brazil, I would go to Rio de Janeiro.
        Si yo estuviese en Brasil, iría a Río de Janeiro.
      • If I were you, I would buy that car.
        Si yo fuese tú, compraría ese auto.
      • If he were in my place, he wouldn't do this.
        Si él estuviese en mi lugar, no haría esto.
      • If I had more money, I would buy a nice apartment.
        Si yo tuviese más dinero, me compraría un lindo apartamento.
      • If she had more time, she would travel more often.
        Si ella tuviera más tiempo, viajaría más a menudo.
      • If it were not raining, we could go out.
        Si no estuviese lloviendo, podríamos salir.
      • If we didn't have to work today, we could have a picnic.
        Si no tuviésemos que trabajar hoy, podríamos tener un picnic.

    What do you think??? 

    Now try with more exercises


    Visit this video for more information


    Important:
    Notice that we are thinking about a future condition. We use the past simple tense to talk about the future condition. We use WOULD + base verb to talk about the future result. The important thing about the second conditional is that there is an unreal possibility that the condition will happen.

    Here are some more examples:

    IFconditionresult
    past simpleWOULD + base verb
    IfI married MaryI would be happy.
    IfRam became richshe would marry him.
    Ifit snowed next Julywould you be surprised?
    Ifit snowed next Julywhat would you do?

    resultIFcondition
    WOULD + base verbpast simple
    I would be happyifI married Mary.
    She would marry Ramifhe became rich.
    Would you be surprisedifit snowed next July?
    What would you doifit snowed next July?


    first conditional

                             
                                         The first conditional

    EXPLANATION:

    We are talking about the future. We are thinking about a particular condition or situation in the future, and the result of this condition. There is a real possibility that this condition will happen.





    IFconditionresult
    present simpleWILL + base verb
    Ifit rainsI will stay at home

    Example:
    • If we take John, he'll be really pleased.
    • If you give me some money, I'll pay you back tomorrow.




    IFconditionresult
    present simpleWILL + base verb
    IfI see MaryI will tell her.
    IfTara is free tomorrowhe will invite her.
    Ifthey do not pass their examtheir teacher will be sad.
    Ifit rains tomorrowwill you stay at home?
    Ifit rains tomorrowwhat will you do?



    Notice that we are thinking about a future condition. 

    Examples:

    -Now is your turn to try

    Type all of your answers in the spaces and the and click on "Check answers". If you need help, click "Show a letter".
    1. If you  (not study), you  (fail) the test.
    2. We  (die) if we  (not get) help soon!
    3. If you  (look) in the fridge, you  (find) some cold drinks.
    4. If there  (be) no oil in the engine, the car  (break) down.
    5. I  (lend) you my umbrella if you  (need) it.
    6. The sea level  (rise) if the planet  (get) hotter.
    7. If you  (eat) your sandwiches now, you  (not have) anything for lunch!
    8. You  (be) safe in an accident if you  (wear) your seatbelt.
    9. If he  (save) all his money, he  (be able to go) on holiday to Canada.
    10. I  (not come) with you if you  (not bring) John!
     



    Now you will understand more with this:

    • If it rains today, I'll stay at home.
      Si llueve hoy, me quedaré en casa.
    • If he is busy now, I will come back tomorrow.
      Si está ocupado ahora, regresaré mañana.
    • If I have time, I'll visit my parents this afternoon.
      Si tengo tiempo, visitaré a mis padres esta tarde.
    • If it is warm tomorrow, we'll go to the beach.
      Si está caluroso mañana, iremos a la playa.
    • If it is cold, you must wear warm clothes.
      Si está frío, debes usar ropa abrigada.
    • If he doesn't do his homework, he can not go to the party.
      Si él no hace su tarea, no puede ir a la fiesta.
    • If she doesn't call you, you can call her.
      Si ella no te llama, tú puedes llamarla.
    • If you work hard, you may become a millonaire someday.
      Si trabajas duro, puede que te conviertas en un millonario algún día.