FORM 1 (Most Common Form)
[If ... Simple Past ..., ... would + verb ...]
[... would + verb ... if ... Simple Past ...]
Notice that this form looks the same as Present Unreal Conditional.
USE
The Future Unreal Conditional is used to talk about imaginary
situations in the future. It is not as common as the Future Real
Conditional because English speakers often leave open the possibility
that anything MIGHT happen in the future. It is only used when a speaker
needs to emphasize that something is impossible. Because this form
looks like Present Unreal Conditional, many native speakers prefer Form 2
described below.
Examples:
- If I had a day off from work next week, I would go to the beach.
I don't have a day off from work. - I am busy next week. If I had time, I would come to your party.
I can't come. - Jerry would help me with my homework tomorrow if he didn't have to work.
He does have to work tomorrow.
FORM 2
[If ... were + present participle ..., ... would be + present participle ...]
[... would be + present participle ... if ... were + present participle ...]
USE
Form 2 of the Future Unreal Conditional is also used to talk about
imaginary situations in the future. Native speakers often prefer this
form over Form 1 to emphasize that the conditional form is in the future
rather than the present. Also notice in the examples below that this
form can be used in the if-clause, the result, or both parts of the
sentence.
Examples:
- If I were going to Fiji next week, I would be taking my scuba diving gear with me. In if-clause and result
I am not going to go to Fiji and I am not going to take my scuba gear with me. - If I were not visiting my grandmother tomorrow, I would help you study. In if-clause
I am going to visit my grandmother tomorrow. - I am busy next week. If I had time, I would be coming to your party. In result
I am not going to come to your party.
FORM 3
[If ... were going to + verb ..., ... would be + present participle ...]
[... would be + present participle ... if ... were going to + verb ...]
USE
Form 3 of the Future Unreal Conditional is a variation of Form 2
which is also used to talk about imaginary situations in the future.
Notice that this form is only different from Form 2 in the if-clause.
Native speakers use Form 3 to emphasize that the conditional form is a
plan or prediction in the same way "be going to" is used to indicate a plan or prediction.
Examples:
- If I were going to go to Fiji next week, I would be taking my scuba diving gear with me.
I am not going to go to Fiji and I am not going to take my scuba gear with me. - If I were not going to visit my grandmother tomorrow, I would help you study.
I am going to visit my grandmother tomorrow.
IMPORTANT Only use "If"
Only the word "if" is used with the Past Unreal Conditional because
you are discussing imaginary situations. "When" cannot be used.
Examples:
- I would buy that computer tomorrow when it were cheaper. Not Correct
- I would buy that computer tomorrow 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 next year, I would can learn Arabic. Unfortunately, that's not possible. Not Correct
- If I went to Egypt next year, I could learn Arabic. Unfortunately, that's not possible. Correct
The words "could," should," "might" and "ought to" include conditional, so you cannot combine them with "would."
Examples:
- If I didn't have to work tonight, I would could go to the fitness center. Not Correct
- If I didn't have to work tonight, I could go to the fitness center. Correct
Future Real Conditional vs. Future Unreal Conditional
To help you understand the difference between the Future Real
Conditional and the Future Unreal Conditional, compare the examples
below:
Examples:
- If you help me move tomorrow, I will buy you dinner. Future Real Conditional
I don't know if you can help me. - If you helped me move tomorrow, I would buy you dinner. Future Unreal Conditional
You can't help me, or you don't want to help me.
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