The Past Unreal Conditional is used to talk about imaginary situations in the past.

You can describe what you would have done differently or how something could have happened differently if circumstances had been different. Examples:

If I had owned a car, I would have driven to work. But I didn't own one, so I took the bus. She would have traveled around the world if she had had more money. But she didn't have much money, so she never traveled. I would have read more as a child if I hadn't watched so much TV. Unfortunately, I did watch a lot of TV, so I never read for entertainment. Mary would have gotten the job and moved to Japan if she had studied Japanese in school instead of French. If Jack had worked harder, he would have earned more money. Unfortunately, he was lazy and he didn't earn much. A: What would you have done if you had won the lottery last week? B: I would have bought a house. A: What city would you have chosen if you had decided to move to the United States? B: I would have chosen Seattle.

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.

resent 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 0

Situations that are always true if something happens.

NOTE

This use is similiar to, and can usually be replaced by, a time clause using 'when' (example: When I am late, my father takes me to school.)

If I am late, my father takes me to school. She doesn't worry if Jack stays out after school.

Conditional 0 is formed by the use of the present simple in the if clause followed by a comma the present simple in the result clause. You can also put the result clause first without using a comma between the clauses.

If he comes to town, we have dinner. OR We have dinner if he comes to town.

Conditional 1

Often called the "real" conditional because it is used for real - or possible - situations. These situations take place if a certain condition is met.

NOTE

In the conditional 1 we often use unless which means 'if ... not'. In other words, '...unless he hurries up.' could also be written, '...if he doesn't hurry up.'.

If it rains, we will stay at home. He will arrive late unless he hurries up. Peter will buy a new car, if he gets his raise.

Conditional 1 is formed by the use of the present simple in the if clause followed by a comma will verb (base form) in the result clause. You can also put the result clause first without using a comma between the clauses. If he finishes on time, we will go to the movies. OR We will go to the movies if he finishes on time. Conditional 2

Often called the "unreal" conditional because it is used for unreal - impossible or improbable - situations. This conditional provides an imaginary result for a given situation.

NOTE

The verb 'to be', when used in the 2nd conditional, is always conjugated as 'were'.

If he studied more, he would pass the exam. I would lower taxes if I were the President. They would buy a new house if they had more money.

Conditional 2 is formed by the use of the past simple in the if clause followed by a comma would verb (base form) in the result clause. You can also put the result clause first without using a comma between the clauses.

If they had more money, they would buy a new house. OR They would buy a new house if they had more money.

Conditional 3

Often referred to as the "past" conditional because it concerns only past situations with hypothetical results. Used to express a hypothetical result to a past given situation.

If he had known that, he would have decided differently. Jane would have found a new job if she had stayed in Boston.

Conditional 3 is formed by the use of the past perfect in the if clause followed by a comma would have past participle in the result clause. You can also put the result clause first without using a comma between the clauses.

If Alice had won the competition, life would have changed OR Life would have changed if Alice had won the competition.

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