DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE REAL AND UNREAL CONDITIONALS

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE REAL AND UNREAL CONDITIONALS

1. CONDITIONS

   • means
     • "If X occurs, then Y will occur"
       • X is the condition

2. REAL CONDITION

   • There is a "real chance that the condition will occur
     • in the
       • Present
         • IF I HAVE time, I usually GO to the gym
           • use
             • present tense
       • Future
         • IF I HAVE time tonight, I WILL GO to the gym
   • means

3. UNREAL CONDITIONAL

   • means
     • Impossible or imaginary condition
       • in
         • Present
           • IF I HAD time, I WOULD GO to the gym today
             • use
               • past tense
                 • BE verbs
                   • use "were", not "was", even for "he, she and it"
                     • If I WERE earlier, I WOULD HAVE time to go to the gym
         • Future
           • IF I DIDN'T have to work, I COULD GO to the gym

4. DIFFERENCES

   • REAL CONDITIONAL
     • structure
       • IF + subj + verb in PRESENT + , + WILL + verb in present
         • tense
           • PRESENT TENSE
             • never use
               • WOULD
                 • use
                   • WILL
                     • means
                       • There is a "real chance that the condition will occur
   • UNREAL CONDITIONAL
     • IF + subj + verb in PAST + , + WOULD + verb in present
       • tense
         • PAST TENSE
           • never use
             • WILL
               • use
                 • WOULD OR COULD
                   • means
                     • Impossible or imaginary condition
     • structure