ENGLISH

Present Real Conditional Present Unreal Conditional

Conditional Tutorial
There are two kinds of conditional sentences: real and unreal. Real Conditional describes real-life situations. Unreal Conditional describes unreal, imaginary situations. Although the various conditional forms might seem quite abstract at first, they are actually some of the most useful structures in English and are commonly included in daily conversations. If you prefer to use the conditional pages as a reference only and do not want to complete the tutorial

Conditional Sentences: Real and Unreal

We use conditional sentences a lot. Here are a few: If you are late to the theater, you will not be seated until intermission. If you mix ammonia and chlorine bleach, you will create a smelly, dangerous solution. If you take the 8 a.m. flight to New York, you don't have to change planes. If I were the ambassador, I'd make sure the President hears about this. If I were a little taller, I'd be able to water the plant on the top shelf. If I spoke French, I'd love to talk to Francois. If Ambassador Fox hadn't gone to college with the President, he wouldn't have been given the ambassadorship. If it had rained last night, it wouldn't be so hot today. If we hadn't had that problem with the car, we wouldn't have missed the speech.

Present Unreal Conditional

Present unreal conditionals indicate a situation which is only imagined or in some-one's mind. For instance: I wish I had a pony. (I don't really have a pony.) If I had a pony, I would ride it every day. (I imagine what I would do.)

To form present unreal conditionals, use past tense in the if clause and would + verb in the main clause. A: What would you do if you had a million dollars? B: If I had a million dollars, I would invest it in the stock market. A: What would you do if you didn't have to come to school today? B: If I didn't have to come to school, I would go to the amusement park. For present unreal conditionals , it is common to use were in place of all forms of ?be? in the if clause (regardless of the subject). If I were you, I would get a lawyer. If I were a lawyer, I would not charge you. If she were a lawyer, Sheila would be rich. Sometimes could can be used in place of would in the main clause:

If I had more free time, I could travel around the world.

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.)

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

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" cannot be used with "would." Instead, they must be used in these special forms. 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

Present Real Conditional

FORM
[If / When ... Simple Present ..., ... Simple Present ...] [... 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.

A: What do you do when it rains? B: I stay at home. A: Where do you stay if you go to Sydney? B: 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.

ENGLISH Practice #1 Conditional Sentences Answer Key Read the first sentence in each set. Then mark the other sentences true ( T), probably true (PT) or false (F). 1. If I spoke Portuguese, I would have less trouble in Brazil. ___T__ a. I speak Portuguese. ___T___ b. I have trouble in Brazil. 2. The Ambassador will help the negotiations if she stays another year. ___T__ a. We don't know if the ambassador will stay another year. ___T__ b. We know that the Ambassador will help with the negotiations.

3. If Oliver weren't already an officer, I would recommend his promotion . ___F__ a. Oliver is not an officer. ___F__ b. I don't respect Oliver. 4. Dick said, if he were me, he would quit the Army. ___T__ a. I am in the Army. ___F__ b. I am giving Dick some advice. 5. If Atlanta were an older city, it would have some historical sites . ___F__ a. Atlanta has a lot of historical sites. ___PT_ b. Most of Atlanta was built in the last 100 years. 6. If I weren't on a diet, I'd have the Linzertorte for desert. ___PT_ a. I'm overweight. ___F__ b. I will have the Linzertorte for desert. 7. If you leave your computer on overnight, it won't harm the CPU. ___T__ a. It's OK to leave your computer on overnight. ___T__ b. The CPU will be OK if you don't turn off your computer at night. 8. You will prolong the life of your car if you change the oil often. ___T__ a. Changing the oil is good for your engine. ___F__ b. Changing the oil is not important. 9. I'll drive if you rent the car. ___F__ a. We'll share the expenses. ___F__ b. We'll share the driving. 10. Jimmy will drown if we don't do something right now ! ___F__ a. Jimmy is dead. ___T__ b. We can help Jimmy.

Practice #2 Conditional Sentences

Complete the sentences. Use the correct form of the verbs in the parentheses. 1. If you _eat___ (eat) too much ice cream, you'll get sick. 2. If Juan Carlos _were_ (be) a better student, he'd participate in class more often. 3. Brendan _will join_ (join) the Army if he fails his classes. 4. Rosalie wouldn't be taking the math classes if she _had passed_ (pass) the placement exam. 5. If the general _runs_ (run) for office, he will be a popular candidate. 6. If Andy had had the salmon, he _would have liked_ (like) his meal better.

7. Leo would have spoken to Mr. Lauder if he _had wanted_ (want) the job. 8. Leo _will speak_ (speak) to Mr. Lauder if he wants the job. 9. If Catherine had been more aware of her daughter's feelings, she _would have told_ (tell) her about her father's illness. 10. This whole region will be dangerously dry if we _don't get_ (get) some rain soon.

Conditional Exercise
If / When
1. ___________I am late to work, my boss gets very angry. That is why I am always on time. 2.____________ I leave work, I usually go to the fitness center to work out. 3. ___________he eats, he tries to choose healthy foods.

4. His car is very reliable, and he rarely has any trouble with it. But he has had a couple of difficulties in the past. ____________his car breaks down or he has any problems, he calls the auto club. 5. His car is terrible! It always breaks down. ____________his car breaks down or he has any problems, he calls the auto club. 6. Mary gets six weeks paid vacation a year. She loves to travel.__________ she goes on vacation, she always goes somewhere exotic. 7. Diane works harder than anyone I know. I don't think she has taken a day off in three years. But she does really love to travel.____________ she goes on vacation, she goes somewhere exotic.

8. He loves going to the movies.__________ he goes to the movies, he always gets a large popcorn with tons of butter. 9. She hates TV. She thinks television is a waste of time._________ she watches any television at all, it is usually a documentary or a news program. 10. My friend always keeps in touch by mail. ________I get a letter, I usually write back immediately.

Practice #1 Conditional Sentences

Read the first sentence in each set. Then mark the other sentences true (T), probably true (PT) or false (F). 1. If I spoke Portuguese, I would have less trouble in Brazil. ______ a. I speak Portuguese. ______ b. I have trouble in Brazil. 2. The Ambassador will help the negotiations if she stays another year. ______ a. We don't know if the ambassador will stay another year. ______ b. We know that the Ambassador will help with the negotiations. 3. If Oliver weren't already an officer, I would recommend his promotion. ______ a. Oliver is not an officer. ______ b. I don't respect Oliver. 4. Dick said, if he were me, he would quit the Army.

______ a. I am in the Army. ______ b. I am giving Dick some advice. 5. If Atlanta were an older city, it would have some historical sites. ______ a. Atlanta has a lot of historical sites. ______ b. Most of Atlanta was built in the last 100 years. 6. If I weren't on a diet, I'd have the Linzertorte for desert. ______ a. I'm overweight. ______ b. I will have the Linzertorte for desert. 7. If you leave your computer on overnight, it won't harm the CPU. ______ a. It's OK to leave your computer on overnight. ______ b. The CPU will be OK if you don't turn off your computer at night. 8. You will prolong the life of your car if you change the oil often. ______ a. Changing the oil is good for your engine. ______ b. Changing the oil is not important. 9. I'll drive if you rent the car. ______ a. We'll share the expenses. ______ b. We'll share the driving. 10. Jimmy will drown if we don't do something right now! ______ a. Jimmy is dead. ______ b. We can help Jimmy.

Practice #2 Conditional Sentences

Complete the sentences. Use the correct form of the verbs in the parentheses. 1. If you _______ (eat) too much ice cream, you'll get sick. 2. If Juan Carlos ______ (be) a better student, he'd participate in class more often. 3. Brendan ________ (join) the Army if he fails his classes. 4. Rosalie wouldn't be taking the math classes if she ________ (pass) the placement exam. 5. If the general ______ (run) for office, he will be a popular candidate. 6. If Andy had had the salmon, he ________ (like) his meal better.

7. Leo would have spoken to Mr. Lauder if he ________ (want) the job. 8. Leo ________ (speak) to Mr. Lauder if he wants the job. 9. If Catherine had been more aware of her daughter's feelings, she _______ (tell) her about her father's illness. 10. This whole region will be dangerously dry if we _______ (get) some rain soon.