Present Conditional Tense

PRESENT CONDITIONAL TENSE
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
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
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.
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:
Present Real Conditional
Present Unreal Conditional
USES OF PRESENT CONDITIONAL TENSE
Present Real Conditional
The Present Real Conditional is used to talk about what you normally do in real-life situations.
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.
('When I have a day off' means: regularly have days off from work.)
If I have a day off from work, I usually go to the beach.
('If I have a day off' means: rarely have days off from work.)
More Examples
I study if there is nothing on TV.
If the weather is nice, she walks to her office.
Payal helps me with my homework when she has time.
When I have a day off from office, I often go to the super market.
If I go to a friend's house for dinner, I usually take some chocolates.
If it snows a lot [it may really snow], I can ski.
If she comes tomorrow [she may actually come], we will go to the movies.
Present Unreal Conditional
The Present Unreal Conditional is used to talk about what you would generally do in imaginary situations.
Examples
If I owned a car, I would drive to office.
She would travel around the world if she had more money.
I would study more if I didn't watch so much TV.
Rosy would move to Japan if she spoke Japanese.
If they worked harder, they would earn more money.
If I won the lottery, I would buy a new house.
If I moved to the U.S., I would live in Newyork.
If I were rich [I am not rich], I would buy a car.
If Rinkal were here [she isn't here], would you tell her the truth?
EXCEPTION to Conditional sentences with Modal Verbs
The words 'can', 'shall' and 'may' cannot be used with 'would'. Instead, they must be used in these special forms.
can + would = could
shall + would = should
may + would = might
Examples
If I went to Japan, I could learn Japanese.-Correct
xIf I went to Japan, I would can learn Japanese.-Not Correct
If she had time, she might go to the party.-Correct
xIf she had time, she would may go to the party.-Not Correct
If I had more time, I could exercise after work.-Correct
xIf I had more time, I would could exercise after work.-Not Correct
If he invited you, you really should go.-Correct
xIf 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'.
CONDITIONAL TENSE TABLE
Present Real ConditionalPresent Unreal Conditional
If I have time, I study English.
Sometimes I have time.
If I had time, I would study English.
I don't have time.
Past Real ConditionalPast Unreal Conditional
If I had time, I studied English.
Sometimes I had time.
If I had had time, I would have studied English.
I didn't have time.
Future Real ConditionalFuture Unreal Conditional
If I have time, I will study English.
I don't know if I will have time or not.
If I had time, I would study English.
I won't have time.

THE PRESENT CONDITIONAL TENSE

The present conditional of any verb is composed of two elements:
would + the infinitive of the main verb, without "to"
Subject+ would+ infinitive
Hewouldgo
Theywouldstay
TO GO: PRESENT CONDITIONAL
AffirmativeNegativeInterrogativeInterrogative Negative
I would goI wouldn't goWould I go?Wouldn't I go?
You would goYou wouldn't goWould you go?Wouldn't you go?
He would goHe wouldn't goWould he go?Wouldn't he go?
She would goShe wouldn't goWould she go?Wouldn't she go?
We would goWe wouldn't goWould we go?Wouldn't we go?
They would goThey wouldn't goWould they go?Wouldn't they go?

Tense

Present Tense

Past Tense


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