Tim先生の One-point Lesson #27

Present unreal conditional

 

Hi everyone!

 

Today we will have our second lesson on conditional forms. Last time we learned about the present real conditional. This time, we're going to learn about the present UNREAL conditional.

 

The present unreal conditional is made by using IF + simple PAST verb..., WOULD + simple present verb.

 

Note that even though we are using a 'present' tense, the verb that goes with IF in the sentence uses the simple past. Also, it is important to notice that in this form we ALWAYS use IF, never WHEN.

 

Use the present unreal conditional to talk about what would GENERALLY happen in IMAGINARY situations. Here are some examples. Note the past tense of the verbs.

 

 

If I owned a car, I would drive to work. But I don't own a car.

 

She would travel around the world if she had more money. But she doesn't have much money.

 

I would read more if I didn't watch so much TV.

 

Mary would move to Japan if she spoke Japanese.

 

If they worked harder, they would earn more money.

 

A: What would you do if you won the lottery?
B: I would buy a house.

 

A: Where would you live if you moved to the U.S.?
B: I would live in Seattle.

 

One more thing: In this form, we can replace the word 'would' with 'could'.

> If I owned a car, I could drive to work.

 

The difference is, 'could' says what you would be ABLE to do in the imaginary situation. 'Would' says what you are LIKELY to do in the imaginary situation.

 

The most important things to remember about this form are:

 

1. We use a PAST TENSE verb, but we are talking about THINGS IN GENERAL, just like when we use the present simple tense. We are NOT talking about any specific past or future event.

 

2. The situations are IMAGINARY. They are things that are not now true, and which we do not expect to become true in the future.

 

Thanks for reading, and tune in next week for more conditionals!

 

Tim

 

 

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