In my previous post, I mentioned that, together with prepositions, the conditional sentences (also known as If-clauses) are quite challenging.
The longest “If-clause” I have ever read is a beautiful and motivational poem by Rudyard Kipling that I cherish deep in my heart – If.
However, If you prefer music to literature, the song “Bad” by the rock band U2 could be another good example.
Despite the fact that we use them on a regular basis, it appears that we often feel overwhelmed when we have to use them in a different language.
Today, I am going to suggest a translation exercise for two different types of conditional sentences (first type – possible condition/ possible result – and second type –hypothetical condition/probable-improbable result).
I am going to give the sentences in English and you are going to translate them – as you prefer – in Italian, French, or Spanish.
Good Luck!
EXERCISE
Translate the following conditional sentences into Spanish, French, or Italian.
- If you finish your project, you can play with your friends.
- If Sara had her book, she could study for her exam.
- If I get my driving license, I will buy a car.
- If it rained, Miguel wouldn’t have to water the plants.
- If you gave them your phone number, they could call you.
- If I won the lottery, I would buy a Lamborghini.
- If you study, you will pass your math exam.
- If they lived in London, they would speak English.
- If Melanie invited me to her birthday party, I would accept.
- If Claudia were nicer, she would give us the correct answers.
Possible translations…
Español
- Si terminas tu proyecto, podrás jugar con tus amigos.
- Si Sara tuviera/tuviese su libro, podría estudiar para su examen.
- Si obtengo mi permiso/licencia de conducir, compraré un coche.
- Si lloviera/lloviese, Miguel no tendría que regar sus plantas.
- Si les dieras/dieses tu número de teléfono, podrían llamarte.
- Si me tocara /tocase la lotería, me compraría un Lamborghini.
- Si estudias, aprobarás tu examen de matemáticas.
- Si vivieran /viviesen en Londres, hablarían inglés.
- Si Melanie me invitara /invitase a su fiesta de cumpleaños, yo aceptaría.
- Si Claudia fuera /fuese más amable, nos daría la respuesta correcta.
Français
- Si tu termines ton projet, tu pourras jouer avec tes amis.
- Si Sara avait son livre, elle pourrait étudier pour son examen.
- Si j’obtiens mon permis de conduire, j’achèterai une voiture.
- S’il pleuvait, Miguel ne devrais pas arroser ses plants.
- Si tu leur donnais ton numéro de téléphone, ils pourraient t’appeler.
- Si je gagnais au Lotto, je m’achèterais une Lamborghini.
- Si tu étudies, tu passeras ton examen de math.
- S’ils habitaient à Londres, ils parleraient anglais.
- Si Melanie m’invitait à sa fête d’anniversaire, j’accepterais.
- Si Claudia était plus gentille, elle nous donnerait la bonne réponse.
Italiano
- Se finisci il tuo progetto, potrai giocare con i tuoi amici.
- Se Sara avesse il suo libro, potrebbe studiare per il suo esame.
- Se prendo la patente, di guida, comprerò una macchina.
- Se piovesse, Miguel non dovrebbe innaffiare le sue piante.
- Se gli dessi (loro) il tuo numero di telefono, potrebbero chiamarti.
- Se vincessi al Lotto, mi comprerei una Lamborghini.
- Se studi, supererai il tuo esame di matematica.
- Se vivessero a Londra, parlerebbero inglese.
- Se Melanie mi invitasse alla sua festa di compleanno, accetterei.
- Se Claudia fosse più gentile, ci darebbe la risposta corretta.
