Like Spanish, English has 4 basic types of Conditional sentences, which consist of two parts: a Main Clause and a Conditional Clause.
|
Time reference |
Verb in Main Clause |
Verb in Conditional Clause |
|
all time |
Present, usually Present Simple |
Present, usually Present Simple |
If you put oil on water, does it float?
(Si pones aceite sobre agua, flota?)
You get tired if you run a long way.
(Te cansas si corres mucho.)
If the weather is bad, there are more accidents.
(Si hace mal tiempo hay más accidentes.)
If you've been warned, you've got no excuse.
(Si te han avisado, no tienes excusa.)
| Time reference | Verb in Main Clause |
Verb in Conditional Clause |
|
future |
will, (might) |
Present, usually Present Simple |
If you talk to Jenny, she'll help you.
(Si hablas con Jenny te ayudará.)
We'll have a barbecue if it doesn't rain.
(Haremos una barbacoa si no llueve.)
We might have a barbecue if it doesn't rain.
(Puede que hagamos una barbacoa si no llueve.)