ESLGold Present Unreal Conditionals Lyrics

Present unreal conditionals indicate a situation which is only imagined or in some-one's mind. For instance:

I wish I had a pony.
If I had a pony, I would ride it every day.
(I don't really have a pony.)
(I imagine what I would do.)

To form present unreal conditionals, use past tense in the if clause and would + verb in the main clause.

A: What would you do if you had a million dollars?
B: If I had a million dollars, I would invest it in the stock market.

A: What would you do if you didn't have to come to school today?

B: If I didn't have to come to school, I would go to the amusement park.

For present unreal conditionals, it is common to use were in place of all forms of ?be? in the if clause (regardless of the subject).

If I were you, I would get a lawyer.
If I were a lawyer, I would not charge you.

If she were a lawyer, Sheila would be rich.

Sometimes could can be used in place of would in the main clause:

If I had more free time, I could travel around the world.

Conditional Tutorial
There are two kinds of conditional sentences: real and unreal. Real Conditional describes real-life situations. Unreal Conditional describes unreal, imaginary situations. Although the various conditional forms might seem quite abstract at first, they are actually some of the most useful structures in English and are commonly included in daily conversations. If you prefer to use the conditional pages as a reference only and do not want to complete the tutorial.

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 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 j__an if she spoke j__anese.
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.

EXCEPTION If I were ...
In the Present Unreal Conditional, the form "was" is not considered grammatically correct. In written English or in testing situations, you should always use "were." However, in everyday conversation, "was" is often used.

Examples:

If he were French, he would live in Paris.
If she were rich, she would buy a yacht.
I would play basketball if I were taller.
I would buy that computer if it were cheaper.
I would buy that computer if it was cheaper. Not Correct (But often said in conversation.)
IMPORTANT Only use "If"
Only the word "if" is used with the Present Unreal Conditional because you are discussing imaginary situations. "When" cannot be used.
Examples:

I would buy that computer when it were cheaper. Not Correct
I would buy that computer 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, I would can learn Arabic. Not Correct
If I went to Egypt, I could learn Arabic. Correct
If she had time, she would may go to the party. Not Correct
If she had time, she might go to the party. Correct
The words "could," should," "might" and "ought to" include conditional, so you cannot combine them with "would."

Examples:

If I had more time, I would could exercise after work. Not Correct
If I had more time, I could exercise after work. Correct
If he invited you, you really would should go. Not Correct
If he invited you, you really should go. Correct