Future Conditionals


Future Real Conditional

FORM
[If / When ...SIMPLE PRESENT..., ... SIMPLE FUTURE. ]
Notice that there is no future in the "If" or "When" clause.
 

USE
The Future Real Conditional describes what you think you will do in a specific situation in the future. It is different from other real conditional forms because unlike the present or the past, you do not know what will happen in the future. Although this form is called a "real conditional," you are usually imagining or guessing about the future. It is called "real" because it is still possible that the action might occur in the future. Carefully study the following examples and compare them to the Future Unreal Conditional described below.

EXAMPLES:

If I go to a friend's house for dinner tonight, I will take a bottle of wine or some flowers.
(I am still not sure if I will go to his house or not.)

When I have a day off from work, I am going to go to the beach.
(I have to wait until I have a day off.)

If the weather is nice, she is going to walk to work.
(It depends on the weather.)

Jerry will help me with my homework when he has time.
(I have to wait until he has time.)

I am going to read if there is nothing on TV.
(It depends on the TV schedule.)

What are you going to do if it rains?
I am going to stay at home.
 

IMPORTANT   If / When
Both "if" and "when" are used in the Future Real Conditional, but the use is different from other real conditionals. In the Future Real Conditional, "if" suggests that you do not know if something will happen or not. "When" suggests that something will definitely happen at some point; we are simply waiting for it to occur. Notice also that the Simple Future is not used in "if' clauses or "when" clauses.

EXAMPLES:

When you call me, I will give you the address.
(You are going to call me later, and at that time, I will give you the address.)

If you call me, I will give you the address.
(If you want the address, you can call me.)  
 
 
Future Unreal Conditional

FORM
[If ... SIMPLE PAST ..., ... would + VERB ... ]
Notice the 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 most English speakers leave open the possibility that anything MIGHT happen in the future. It is only used when a speaker needs to emphasize that something really is impossible.

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.
(However, he does have to work tomorrow.)
 

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" must be used in these special forms; they cannot be used with "would."

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
 

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
 

IMPORTANT   Alternate Forms of Future Unreal Conditional
There are alternate forms of the Future Unreal Conditional which have developed in English. Study the examples below:

[ If... were to + VERB... , ... would + VERB... ]

If I were to lose my job, I would probably find a new one quickly.

If he were to fail his driving test, he would have to take it again.

If Sarah were to show up late to the birthday party, it would ruin the surprise.
 

[ If... should happen to + VERB... , ... would + VERB... ]

If I should happen to lose my job, I would probably find a new one quickly.

If he should happen to fail his driving test, he would have to take it again.

If Sarah should happen to show up late to the birthday party, it would ruin the surprise.
 
 
 
Compare Both Forms

 
To help you understand the difference between the two forms above, 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.)  
 
Exercises and Related Topics

 
Future Conditional Exercises Test your knowledge of Future Real Conditional vs. Future Unreal Conditional