Conditional Overview with Examples (Part 1)

A. Present Real Conditional

If I have time, I study English. (Sometimes I have time)

B. Present Unreal Conditional

If I had time, I would study English. (I don't have time)

C. Past Real Conditional

If I had time, I studied English. (Sometimes I had time)

D. Past Unreal Conditional

If I had had time, I would have studied English. (I didn't have time)

E. Future Real Conditional

If I have time, I will study English.

If I have time, I am going to study English. (I don't know if I will have time or not)

Other forms possible.

F. Future Unreal Conditional

If I had time, I would study English. (I won't have time)

Other forms possible.

Present Conditionals

Present Real Conditional

FORM

[If / When ... SIMPLE PRESENT..., ... SIMPLE PRESENT ...]

or

[... SIMPLE PRESENT ... if / when ... SIMPLE PRESENT...]

USE

The Present Real Conditional is used to talk about what you normally do in real-life situations.

EXAMPLES:

If I go to a friend's house for dinner, I usually take a bottle of wine or some flowers.

When I have a day off from work, I often go to the beach.

If the weather is nice, she walks to work.

Jerry helps me with my homework when he has time.

I read if there is nothing on TV.

What do you do when it rains?

I stay at home.

Where do you stay if you go to Sydney?

I stay with my friends near the harbor.

IMPORTANT If / When

Both “if” and “when” are used in the Present Real Conditional. Using “if” suggests that something happens less frequently. Using “when” suggests that something happens regularly.

EXAMPLES:

When I have a day off from work, I usually go to the beach.

(I regularly have days off from work)

If I have a day off from work, I usually go to the beach.

(I rarely have days off from work)

Conditional Overview with Examples (Part 2)

Present Unreal Conditional

FORM

[If ... SIMPLE PAST ..., ... would + VERB ...]

or

[... would + VERB ... if ... SIMPLE PAST ...]

USE

The Present Unreal Conditional is used to talk about what you would do in imaginary situations in general.

EXAMPLES:

If I had a car, I would drive to work. But I don't have a car.

She would travel around the world if she had more money. But she doesn't have much money.

I would read more if I didn't have a TV.

Mary would move to Japan if she spoke Japanese.

If they worked harder, they would earn more money.

What would you do if you won the lottery?

I would travel.

Where would you live if you moved to the U.S.?

I would live in Seattle.

EXCEPTION If I were ...

In the Present Unreal Conditional, the form “was” is not considered grammatically correct. In written English or in testing situations, you should always use “were.” However, in everyday conversation, “was” is often used.

EXAMPLES:

If he were French, he would live in Paris.

If she were rich, she would buy a yacht.

I would play basketball if I were taller.

I would buy that computer if it were cheaper.

I would buy that computer if it was cheaper. NOT CORRECT (But often said in conversation)

EXCEPTION Conditional with Modal Verbs

There are some special Conditional forms for modal verbs in English:

would + can = could

would + shall = should

would + may = might

The words “can,” “shall” and “may” must be used in these special forms; they cannot be used with “would.”

EXAMPLES:

If I went to Egypt, I would can learn Arabic. NOT CORRECT

If I went to Egypt, I could learn Arabic. CORRECT

If she had time, she would may go to the party. NOT CORRECT

If she had time, she might go to the party. CORRECT

The words “could,” should,” “might” and “ought to” include conditional, so you cannot combine them with “would.”

EXAMPLES:

If I had more time, I would could exercise after work. NOT CORRECT

If I had more time, I could exercise after work. CORRECT

If he invited you, you really would should go. NOT CORRECT

If he invited you, you really should go. CORRECT

IMPORTANT Only use "If"

Only the word “if” is used with the Present Unreal Conditional because you are discussing imaginary situations. “When” cannot be used.

EXAMPLES:

I would buy that computer when it were cheaper. NOT CORRECT

I would buy that computer if it were cheaper. CORRECT

Past Conditionals

Conditional Overview with Examples (Part 3)

Past Unreal Conditional

FORM

[If ... PAST PERFECT ..., ... would have + PAST PARTICIPLE ... ]

or

[... would have + PAST PARTICIPLE ... if ... PAST PERFECT ...]

USE

The Past Unreal Conditional is used to talk about imaginary situations in the past. You can describe what you would have done differently or how something could have happened differently if circumstances had been different.

EXAMPLES:

If I had had a car, I would have driven to work. But I didn't have one, so I took the bus.

She would have traveled around the world if she had had more money. But she didn't have much money, so she never traveled.

I would have read more as a child if I hadn't had a TV. Unfortunately, I did have a TV, so I never read for entertainment.

Mary would have gotten the job and moved to Japan if she had studied Japanese in school instead of French.

If they had worked harder, they would have earned more money. Unfortunately, they were lazy and they didn't earn much.

What would you have done if you had won the lottery last week?

I would have traveled.

What city would you have chosen if you had decided to move to the United States?

I would have chosen Seattle.

EXCEPTION Conditional with Modal Verbs

There are some special Conditional forms for modal verbs in English:

would have + can = could have

would have + shall = should have

would have + may = might have

The words “can,” “shall” and “may” must be used in these special forms; they cannot be used with “would have.”

EXAMPLES:

If I had gone to Egypt, I could have learned Arabic. CORRECT

If she had had time, she might have gone to the party. CORRECT

The words “could,” should,” “might” and “ought to” include Conditional, so you cannot combine them with “would.”

EXAMPLES:

If I had had more time, I would have could exercise after work. NOT CORRECT

If I had had more time, I could have exercised after work. CORRECT

If he had invited you, you would have might go. NOT CORRECT

If he had invited you, you might have gone. CORRECT

IMPORTANT Only use “If”

Only the word “if” is used with the Past Unreal Conditional because you are discussing imaginary situations. "When" cannot be used.

EXAMPLES:

I would have bought that computer when it had been cheaper. NOT CORRECT

I would have bought that computer if it had been cheaper. CORRECT

Conditional Overview with Examples (Part 4)

Future Conditionals

Future Real Conditional

FORM

[If / When ...SIMPLE PRESENT..., ... SIMPLE FUTURE.]

or

[... SIMPLE FUTURE... if / when ... SIMPLE PRESENT...]

Notice that there is no future in the “If” or “When” clause.

USE

The Future Real Conditional describes what you think you will do in a specific situation in the future. It is different from other real conditional forms because, unlike the present or the past, you do not know what will happen in the future. Although this form is called a “real conditional,” you are usually imagining or guessing about the future. It is called “real” because it is still possible that the action might occur in the future. Carefully study the following examples and compare them to the Future Unreal Conditional described below.

EXAMPLES:

If I go to my friend's house for dinner tonight, I will take a bottle of wine or some flowers.

(I am still not sure if I will go to his house or not)

When I have a day off from work, I am going to go to the beach.

(I have to wait until I have a day off)

If the weather is nice, she is going to walk to work

(It depends on the weather)

Jerry will help me with my homework when he has time.

(I have to wait until he has time)

I am going to read if there is nothing on TV.

(It depends on the TV schedule)

What are you going to do if it rains?

I am going to stay at home.

IMPORTANT If / When

Both “if” and “when” are used in the Future Real Conditional, but the use is different from other real conditionals. In the Future Real Conditional, “if” suggests that you do not know if something will happen or not. “When” suggests that something will definitely happen at some point; we are simply waiting for it to occur. Notice also that the Simple Future is not used in “if” clauses or “when” clauses.

EXAMPLES:

When you call me, I will give you the address.

(You are going to call me later, and at that time, I will give you the address)

If you call me, I will give you the address.

(If you want the address, you can call me)

Conditional Overview with Examples (Part 5)

Future Unreal Conditional

FORM 1 (MOST COMMON FORM)

[If ... SIMPLE PAST ..., ... would + VERB ... ]

or

[... would + VERB ... if ... SIMPLE PAST ...]

Notice the form looks the same as Present Unreal Conditional.

USE

The Future Unreal Conditional is used to talk about imaginary situations in the future. It is not as common as the Future Real Conditional because most English speakers leave open the possibility that anything MIGHT happen in the future. It is only used when a speaker needs to emphasize that something is impossible.

EXAMPLES:

If I had a day off from work next week, I would go to the beach.

(I don't have a day off from work)

I am busy next week. If I had time, I would come to your party.

(I can't come)

Jerry would help me with my homework tomorrow if he didn't have to work.

(He does have to work tomorrow)

FORM 2 (COMMON)

[If ... were VERB+ing ..., ... would be + VERB+ing ... ]

or

[... would be + VERB+ing ... if ... were VERB+ing ...]

USE

Form 2 of the Future Unreal Conditional is also used to talk about imaginary situations in the future. Native speakers use this form rather than Form 1 to emphasize that the Conditional form is a plan in the same way Present Continuous is used to indicate a plan in the future. To learn more about Present Continuous, visit Present Continuous page. Also notice in the examples below that this form can be used in the “If” Clause, the Result, or both parts of the sentence.

EXAMPLES:

If I were going to Fiji next week, I would be taking my scuba diving gear with me. IN IF CLAUSE AND RESULT

(I am not going to go to Fiji and I am not going to take my scuba gear with me)

If I were not visiting my grandmother tomorrow, I would help you study. IF CLAUSE

(I am going to visit my grandmother tomorrow)

I am busy next week. If I had time, I would be coming to your party. RESULT

(I am not going to come to your party)

FORM 3 (COMMON)

[If ... were going to VERB ..., ... would be + VERB+ing ... ]

or

[... would be + VERB+ing ... if ... were going to + VERB ...]

USE

Form 3 of the Future Unreal Conditional is also used to talk about imaginary situations in the future. Native speakers use this form rather than Form 1 to emphasize that the Conditional form is a plan or prediction in the same way “Going To” is used to indicate a plan or prediction. To learn more about Going To, visit Simple Future Page. In many sentences, Form 2 and Form 3 are interchangeable. Also notice in the examples below that this form can be used in the If Clause, the Result, or both parts of the sentence.

NOTICE Form 3 is only different from Form 2 in the "If" Clause.

EXAMPLES:

If I were going to go to Fiji next week, I would be taking my scuba diving gear with me. IN IF CLAUSE AND RESULT

(I am not going to go to Fiji and I am not going to take my scuba gear with me)

If I were not going to visit my grandmother tomorrow, I would help you study. IF CLAUSE

(I am going to visit my grandmother tomorrow)

I am busy next week. If I had time, I would be coming to your party. RESULT

(I am not going to come to your party)

EXCEPTION Conditional with Modal Verbs

There are some special Conditional forms for modal verbs in English:

would + can = could

would + shall = should

would + may = might

The words “can,” “shall” and “may” must be used in these special forms; they cannot be used with “would.”

EXAMPLES:

If I went to Egypt next year, I would can learn Arabic. Unfortunately, that's not possible. NOT CORRECT

If I went to Egypt next year, I could learn Arabic. Unfortunately, that's not possible. CORRECT

The words “could,” should,” “might” and “ought to” include conditional, so you cannot combine them with “would.”

EXAMPLES:

If I didn't have to work tonight, I would could go to the fitness center. NOT CORRECT

If I didn't have to work tonight, I could go to the fitness center. CORRECT

IMPORTANT Only use “If”

Only the word “if” is used with the Past Unreal Conditional because you are discussing imaginary situations. “When” cannot be used.

EXAMPLES:

I would buy that computer tomorrow when it were cheaper. NOT CORRECT

I would buy that computer tomorrow if it were cheaper. CORRECT

Conditional Overview with Examples (Part 6)

Compare Future Real Conditional and Future Unreal Conditional

To help you understand the difference between the Future Real Conditional and the Future Unreal Conditional, compare the examples below:

EXAMPLES:

If you help me move tomorrow, I will buy you dinner. FUTURE REAL CONDITIONAL

(I don't know if you can help me)

If you helped me move tomorrow, I would buy you dinner. FUTURE UNREAL CONDITIONAL

(You can't help me, or you don't want to help me)

Continuous Conditionals

Continuous Unreal Conditionals

Those of you who have studied Englishcomplete Verb Tense Tutorial should be familiar with Continuous verb tenses such as Present Continuous, Past Continuous, Future Continuous, Present Perfect Continuous, Past Perfect Continuous, and Future Perfect Continuous. The Verb Tense Tutorial gives you all the information you need to create Continuous Real Conditional sentences. But many English learners are not aware of the fact that we can use continuousness in imaginary situations as well. Study the examples below to learn how to create Continuous Unreal Conditional sentences that will make you sound like a native speaker.

Present Unreal Conditional + Continuous

USE

Present Unreal Conditional + Continuous is used to discuss imaginary situations which could be happening at this very moment.

NOTICE Sometimes the continuous form is in the “If” Clause.

EXAMPLES:

If the sun were shining, I would go to the beach.

(Unfortunately, it is raining so I can't go)

If Sam were sitting here, we would be able to ask him the question ourselves.

(But Sam is not sitting here. He is somewhere else)

We would be able to go sailing if the wind were blowing.

(But there is no wind, so we can't go sailing)

NOTICE Sometimes the continuous form is in the Result.

EXAMPLES:

If I were in Hawaii, I would be lying on the beach.

(But I am not in Hawaii)

If my grandfather were here, he would be talking about the war.

(But he is not here)

I would be rafting down the Colorado River right now if my leg weren't broken.

(But my leg is broken, so I am not there)