Conditionals in English
Grammar

In the conditional, we imagine what would happen under certain imaginary conditions.

If I had a lot of money, I would travel around the world.

(I don't have much money, but I'm imagining what I would do if I had a lot.)

In conditional sentences, we put the verb in the past tense in the part of the sentence that begins with the word if (even though it doesn't refer to the past). If the verb is negative, we use the auxiliary verb didn't, just as with verbs in the past tense. In the second part of the sentence (the part without the word if), we use the auxiliary verb would. If the sentence is negative, we use would not or the contraction wouldn't.

If I had a lot of money, I would travel around the world.
If I had a lot of money, I wouldn't work.

We can put the part of the sentence that starts with if first or second, but if we put it first, we have to put a comma after that part of the sentence.

If I had a lot of money, I wouldn't work. (with a comma)
I wouldn't work if I had a lot of money. (without a comma)

NOTE #1:
The verb "to be" is a little different in conditional sentences. This is an aspect of grammar that is changing, however. Previously, grammar books stated that you had to say...

If I were rich, I would travel around the world.

In conditional sentences like this one, the verb to be always had to be were, even in the first and third person singular (I, he, she, it). Previously, it was considered bad grammar to say was in this type of sentence. This is changing, and now even grammar books include both alternatives (was and were).

If I was rich, I would travel around the world.
If I were rich, I would travel around the world.

NOTE #2:
Don't forget that could is the past tense of the auxiliary verb can. We use could instead of can to indicate a hypothetical situation.

If I could fly like a bird, I would sell my car.

We can also use could instead of would in conditional sentences.

If I had wings, I could fly like a bird.

Exercise - Conditional sentences in English

Write conditional sentences using the information given.

examples
If/win the lottery/no work

travel to Europe/if/have a private airplane

Exercise - What would you do?

What would you do in these situations? Complete the sentence using the conditional tense. There are no right or wrong answers.

example
If I were rich,

If I were the president of my country,

If I had a million dollars,

If I were invisible,

If I were young again,

If I could speak English perfectly,

Find the Mistake

Instructions
Identify the error in the following sentences and write the corrected version.

example
He are a teacher. → He is a teacher.

Exercise - Making Speculations

Could, might, and may can be used to make speculations.

Who is that woman?

She could be a famous singer.
She might be a movie star.
She may be a fashion designer.

To change them to the negative form, we add not. We can form a contraction with could (couldn't), but not with might or may.

She couldn't be the president.
She might not be from this country.
She may not be from this planet.

Writing

Write five sentences speculating about what might (or might not) happen next year.

examples:
I might travel to Europe.
The economy could improve.
My sister may not pass her physics class.

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