Unit 26: What would you do? (conditionals)

 

There are three types of conditionals

Conditional 1

If you send the letter today, he will receive it tomorrow

if + present, + will

This situation is probable, we expect it to happen as we say

Conditional 2

If you won the lottery, what would you do?

• I’d (=I would) buy a Ferrari!

If + past, + would

This situation is not very probable, it is a

hypothetical situation.

We use the verb for the condition (the part with ‘if’) in the past:

If you went to America…

If he didn’t come…

If you could see her …

And the result is ‘would’ + infinitive verb:

… would you find a job?

… would he get into trouble?

… what would you say?

We can suggest things or give advice to someone by saying:

If I were you, I would…

Conditional 3

We can use conditionals in the past to show that it was possible for something to happen, but didn’t.

Perhaps we regret that it didn’t happen!

- You didn’t win the lottery?

- No.

- What would you have doneif you had won the lottery?

- If I had won the lottery, I would have bought a Ferrari!

Condition result_________________

If + had + past participle would have + past participle

If you had seen him would you have spoken to him?

If I had known I wouldn’t have come.

If I had been there I would have told her.