Cómo usar el Second Conditional
El second conditional es el tiempo de la imaginación en inglés, usado para explorar situaciones hipotéticas, condiciones irreales y sueños que son improbables o imposibles en la realidad. A diferencia del first conditional que trata con futuros probables, el second conditional te permite discutir realidades alternativas, expresar deseos y explorar qué podría suceder en circunstancias imaginarias.
Formado con if + past simple seguido de would + verbo base, este condicional crea una distancia psicológica de la realidad, haciéndolo perfecto para discutir escenarios improbables, peticiones corteses, dar consejos sobre situaciones imaginarias y expresar sueños o arrepentimientos. El tiempo pasado no se refiere al tiempo pasado sino que señala que la situación es irreal o distante de la realidad actual.
Lo que hace que el second conditional sea únicamente poderoso es su capacidad de permitirte pensar más allá de las limitaciones actuales y explorar posibilidades sin compromiso. Ya sea que estés soñando con ganar la lotería, dando consejos sobre escenarios improbables, haciendo sugerencias corteses o discutiendo caminos de vida alternativos, este condicional abre puertas al pensamiento creativo y especulativo.
Dominar el second conditional mejora tu capacidad de expresar imaginación, mostrar cortesía, discutir consejos hipotéticos y participar en el tipo de conversaciones especulativas que hacen que el inglés sea tanto práctico como creativo.
Formación
Estructura
If + past simple, would + verbo base
Past simple crea distancia de la realidad; would indica el resultado irreal
Forma estándar:
- If I won the lottery, I would travel the world.
- If she lived closer, we would see her more often.
- If it was summer, we would go swimming.
- If I had more time, I would learn to paint.
Orden invertido:
- I would travel the world if I won the lottery.
- We would see her more often if she lived closer.
- We would go swimming if it was summer.
- I would learn to paint if I had more time.
Notas especiales
'Were' para todas las personas:
- If I were rich... (formal)
- If I was rich... (informal)
- If he were here... (formal)
- If she were taller... (formal)
Alternativas modales:
- If I had money, I could buy it.
- If she asked, I might help her.
- If we tried harder, we should succeed.
Errores comunes a evitar
✗ "If I would have money, I would buy a car."
✓ "If I had money, I would buy a car."
No uses 'would' en la cláusula con if - usa past simple
✗ "If she comes tomorrow, I would be happy."
✓ "If she came tomorrow, I would be happy."
Usa past simple en la condición para el second conditional
✗ "If I was rich, I will travel the world."
✓ "If I was rich, I would travel the world."
No mezcles second conditional con 'will' - usa 'would'
✗ "If I have time, I would help you."
✓ "If I had time, I would help you."
Usa past simple (had), no present simple (have) para condiciones irreales
Grados de cortesía
Directo (menos cortés):
"Can you help me?"
Más cortés:
"Could you help me?"
Muy cortés:
"Would you be able to help me?"
Extremadamente cortés:
"If you had a moment, would you be able to help me?"
Expresiones útiles
Comenzar deseos:
- If only I could speak Spanish...
- If I could change one thing...
- If it were possible to...
- If I had the choice...
Dar consejos:
- If I were you, I would...
- If you asked me, I'd suggest...
- If you wanted my opinion...
- If you don't mind me saying...
Would vs Could vs Might
Would (más seguro):
"If I won the lottery, I would buy a house." (definite intention)
Could (habilidad/posibilidad):
"If I won the lottery, I could buy a house." (would have the ability to)
Might (menos seguro):
"If I won the lottery, I might buy a house." (one possibility among others)
Guía de referencia rápida
Recuerda:
- Formación: If + past simple, would + verbo base
- Propósito: Situaciones irreales, hipotéticas e improbables
- Probabilidad: Menos del 50% - improbable o imposible
- Tiempo: Generalmente presente o futuro (a pesar de la forma de tiempo pasado)
- Cortesía: Crea distancia, haciendo las peticiones más corteses
- Were vs was: 'Were' es formal; 'was' es informal con I/he/she/it
- No would en la cláusula if: Nunca uses 'would' después de 'if'
- Modales alternativos: Could, might, should en lugar de would