IF + SIMPLE PRESNT + SIMPLE PRESENTsed for scientific facts or general truths (used to express
scientific truths, facts that never change or situations that always occur). Some grammarians
include this type of conditional within FIRST CONDITIONAL or Conditional Type I.
EXAMPLES If you heat butter, it melts. Si calientas manteca, ésta se derrite. If you put water in a cooler, it
freezes. Si colocas agua en el congelador, ésta se congela. If you heat water to 100 degrees, it boils. Si
calientas agua a 100 grados, ésta hierve.
CONDITIONAL TYPEO I
Used to talk about things that are possible in the present or the future. It is generally used for things which may
happen (used for things that may occur in present or future).
IF + SIMPLE PRESENT + SIMPLE FUTURE If you study hard, you will pass your exams. Si
estudias intensamente aprobarás tus exámenes. If we do not protect the panda
bears, they will soon become extinct. Si no protegemos a los osos panda, pronto se
extinguirán.
IMPERATIVE + OR / AND + SIMPLE FUTURE Used for threats and promises (usado para expresar amenazas y
promesas) Don't say a word about this, or I will kill you. No cuentes una palabra de esto o te mato.
IMPERATIVE + IF / IN CASE + SIMPLE PRESENT Contact me if you need any help. Ponte en contacto conmigo si necesitas
ayuda.
CONDITIONAL TYPEO II
I used to talk about things that are unreal (not true or not possible) in the present or in the
future. It is usually used for things that will not or will not happen. It is usually used for things
that can happen (usually used for things that can happen).
IF + SIMPLE PAST + SIMPLE CONDITIONAL If FIRST verb in the sentence is TO BE, WERE is used for
all persons. (Si el PRIMER verbo de la oración es TO BE, se usa WERE para todas las personas) If I
were rich, I would buy a castle. Si fuera rico, compraría un castillo.
CONDITIONAL TYPEO III
Used to talk about unreal situations in the past, that is, things that did not happen in the past. (Used
to express unreal situations - which never happened - in the past and, in general, in a context of
criticism, complaint or remorse). In Spanish you have a similar construction so this conditional should
not be complicated.
IF + PAST PERFECT + CONDITIONAL PERFECT If I had known that you were sick, I would have gone to see you.
Si hubiese sabido que estabas enfermo, te habría ido a ver. The real situation was that I didn't know you were sick.
So I say If I had known... When you are talking about the past, you use the Past Perfect (I had known) after IF.
If you hadn't been late for work so often, they wouldn't have fired you. Si no hubieses llegado
tarde al trabajo tan seguido, no te habrían despedido.