Cap. 2
Second Conditional
if + past simple · would + infinitive · situaciones imaginarias
El second conditional se usa para hablar de situaciones imaginarias, poco probables o imposibles en el presente o futuro.
If + past simple, + would + infinitive
Si tuviera más dinero, viajaría por el mundo.
→
If I had more money, I would travel the world.
Si fuera tú, me disculparía.
→
If I were you, I would apologise.
Si ganara la lotería, compraría una casa.
→
If I won the lottery, I would buy a house.
¡Atención! Aunque usamos el pasado (had, were, won), hablamos del presente o futuro, no del pasado.
Afirmativo
If + sujeto + past simple, + sujeto + would + verbo en infinitivo.
Ej: If she studied, she would pass.
Negativo
If + sujeto + didn't + verbo, + sujeto + wouldn't + verbo.
Ej: If he didn't work so hard, he wouldn't be tired.
Pregunta
Would + sujeto + verbo + ... if + sujeto + past simple?
Ej: Would you help me if I asked?
Sueños / deseos
If I spoke Chinese, I would live in Beijing.
Consejos (con "If I were you")
If I were you, I would take that job.
Situaciones hipotéticas
If aliens landed tomorrow, what would you do?
Críticas suaves
You would feel better if you ate more vegetables.
En la cláusula del resultado, puedes usar could (posibilidad/capacidad) o might (menos certeza) en vez de would.
Si tuviera tiempo, podría ayudarte.
→
If I had time, I could help you.
Si lloviera, quizá cancelarían el concierto.
→
If it rained, they might cancel the concert.
Si supiera cocinar, haría la cena.
→
If I knew how to cook, I would make dinner.
If I would have more money, I would travel.
→
If I had more money, I would travel.
En la cláusula con if, NUNCA se usa would. Usa past simple.
If I was you, I would study more.
→
If I were you, I would study more.
En inglés formal (y exámenes Cambridge), se prefiere were para todos los sujetos con if I were you.
I would travel if I will have money.
→
I would travel if I had money.
La cláusula con if siempre lleva past simple, nunca will ni would.
Resumen
Forma
If + past simple, + would + infinitive
If I had time, I would call you.
Uso
situaciones imaginarias o improbables
deseos, consejos, hipótesis
If-clause
NUNCA lleva "would"
If I had... (no "would have")
Were vs Was
"If I were you" es lo correcto
If I were rich...
Alternativas
could / might en lugar de would
If I had time, I could help.