All English textbooks have a section reserved for modal verbs and another dedicated to “conditionals”. The truth is, if you do not dominate them, you do not participate in the 1st division of the negotiation league. They are essential weapons for all kinds of situations. Next, I leave a brief description of manners, conditionals and a list of negotiation phrases. If you practice these structures and phrases, you will be much more prepared when sitting at the negotiating table.
Verbos modales
The 1st conditional expresses a future conditioned by another circumstance.
“If I see your brother, I will call you.”
“I will call you if I see your brother.”
The 2nd conditional expresses fantasy (something that at the moment is not a reality). The verb tense after “if” is the past simple and if it is the verb “be”, you should always use “were”.
“I would go to the Retiro if I lived in Madrid.”
“If I lived in Madrid, I would go to the Retiro.”
I call the 3rd conditional “A past bull” for its use. You have to use the participle of the verb for both sections. “If I had known you lived here, I would have gone to your house.” “I would have gone to your house if I had known you lived here.”
