Conditional
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If+Past Simple
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would
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When we talk about “unreal” and “imaginary” or “improbable”, “unlikely”
situations or events now or in the future, we use Conditional 2.
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We use the Simple Past in the If -Clause (even though the meaning is present or future) | Would+ bare Infinitive in the main clause. Sample: |
If I had a lot of time,
If I visited London, If she had a computer, If I went to Los Angeles, |
I would travel.
I would see Big Ben. she would send us an email. (But she doesn’t have one, so she won’t send the email.-imaginary situation in the present.) I would visit the world famous Film Studios. |
In a more formal style we can use “were” instead of “was” after If. | |
If I were there, If I were you, If I were rich, |
I would see many old places of
interest I would study harder. I would help the homeless. |
In unreal conditional sentences we can use “could” to mean would be able to. | |
If I had wings,
If trees had legs, |
I could fly.
They would run away.
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