Condicionales en inglés: guía completa para el TOEIC®
Domina los condicionales en inglés (zero, first, second, third) con reglas de formación, ejemplos y errores comunes en el TOEIC®.
What Are Conditionals in English?
Conditionals (conditional sentences) express situations that depend on a condition. They typically use if to introduce the condition, followed by a result. The type of conditional depends on the degree of probability of the situation.
The 4 Types of Conditionals
Zero Conditional: General Truths
Used for facts that are always true, scientific laws, and habits. If + present simple, present simple.
| If-clause | Result |
|---|---|
| If you heat water to 100°C, | it boils. |
| If employees work overtime, | they receive extra pay. |
| If the printer runs out of ink, | the light turns red. |
First Conditional: Likely Situations
Used for real and probable situations in the future. If + present simple, will + infinitive.
| If-clause | Result |
|---|---|
| If we finish early, | we will go to the restaurant. |
| If the client agrees, | we will sign the contract. |
| If it rains tomorrow, | we will cancel the event. |
Second Conditional: Hypothetical Situations
Used for unreal or unlikely situations in the present or future. If + past simple, would + infinitive.
| If-clause | Result |
|---|---|
| If I had more time, | I would learn Japanese. |
| If she were the manager, | she would change the policy. |
| If we had a bigger budget, | we would hire more staff. |
Note: use were (not was) for all subjects in formal English: If I were you..., If she were here...
Third Conditional: Past Unreal
Used for situations that did not happen in the past. If + past perfect, would have + past participle.
| If-clause | Result |
|---|---|
| If I had known earlier, | I would have told you. |
| If they had prepared better, | they would have won the contract. |
| If we had left earlier, | we would have caught the train. |
Summary Table
| Type | If-clause | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Zero | present simple | present simple |
| First | present simple | will + infinitive |
| Second | past simple | would + infinitive |
| Third | past perfect | would have + past participle |
Alternatives to "if"
| Expression | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| unless | if... not | Unless you register now, you will miss the deadline. |
| as long as | on the condition that | You can leave as long as you finish your work. |
| provided (that) | on the condition that | We will proceed provided that the budget is approved. |
| in case | as a precaution | Bring an umbrella in case it rains. |
Common TOEIC® Traps
Conditionals are among the most frequently tested grammar points in TOEIC Part 5. Here are the key mistakes to avoid.
- Would in the if-clause: never say *If I would have time. Use If I had time, I would...
- Tense matching: do not mix types. If I have time (1st) does not go with would (2nd)
- Unless + not: unless is already negative. Do not say *unless you don't
- Were vs was: in formal English and on the TOEIC®, use were for all subjects in the second conditional: If I were...
- Would have + past participle: in the third conditional, do not forget have. I would have gone (not *I would gone)
Preparation Tips
- Memorize the structure of each type: the summary table is your best tool
- Identify the context: is it a general truth, a likely situation, hypothetical, or past?
- Watch out for unless: it is a frequent trap in Part 5
- Train on Parts 5 and 6: conditionals are regularly tested there. Try our free TOEIC practice exercises to sharpen your skills
For a comprehensive approach, check out our TOEIC preparation guide covering all the essential grammar points.
Frequently Asked Questions
Master Conditionals with 990prep
Conditionals are an essential grammar point on the TOEIC®. Practice with 990prep exercises to never confuse conditional types again.
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