| PRESENT CONDITIONAL TENSE |
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The present conditional express a situation now that isn't true or isn't happening. We also call this the present unreal or present contrary-to-fact.
| Examples |
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If I had a million dollars, I would give it away to all my friends. |
| Note: |
If I had a million dollars" is in the past tense, but it describe a possible situation (or impossible) situation in the present.
I would give it away to all my friends. tells the outcome of the condition. You can use "would," "could," "might," or "should" in these kinds of sentences |
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I wouldn't do that if I were you. (uses of verb in the present conditional) |
| Note: |
Well, I'm not you, so this describes a situation that is not true. Notice that "were" is used with "i." Isn't that strange? But it's correct. |
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If she had more time today, she could meet her friend for lunch. |
| Note: |
The situation is present, but notice the use of "had," the past tense of "have." This means that she doesn't have time. |
There are basically two types of Present Conditional sentences:
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Present Real Conditional |
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Present Unreal Conditional |
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| USES OF PRESENT CONDITIONAL TENSE |
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Present Unreal Conditional |
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EXCEPTION to Conditional sentences with Modal Verbs |
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The words 'can', 'shall' and 'may' cannot be used with 'would'. Instead, they must be used in these special forms. |
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can + would = could
shall + would = should
may + would = might |
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| Examples |
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If I went to Japan, I could learn Japanese. |
-Correct |
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If I went to Japan, I would can learn Japanese. |
-Not Correct |
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If she had time, she might go to the party. |
-Correct |
| x |
If she had time, she would may go to the party. |
-Not Correct |
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If I had more time, I could exercise after work. |
-Correct |
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If I had more time, I would could exercise after work. |
-Not Correct |
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If he invited you, you really should go. |
-Correct |
| x |
If he invited you, you really would should go. |
-Not Correct |
| Note: |
The words 'could', 'should', 'might' and 'ought to' include conditional, so you cannot combine them with 'would'. |
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| CONDITIONAL TENSE TABLE |
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| Present Real Conditional |
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Present Unreal Conditional |
If I have time, I study English.
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| Sometimes I have time. |
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| If I had time, I would study English. |
| I don't have time. |
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| Past Real Conditional |
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Past Unreal Conditional |
| If I had time, I studied English. |
| Sometimes I had time. |
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| If I had had time, I would have studied English. |
| I didn't have time. |
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| Future Real Conditional |
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Future Unreal Conditional |
| If I have time, I will study English. |
| I don't know if I will have time or not. |
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| If I had time, I would study English. |
| I won't have time. |
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