Present Conditionals

FORM
[If / When ... SIMPLE PRESENT..., ... SIMPLE PRESENT ... ]

USE
The Present Real Conditional is used to talk about what you normally do in real-life situations.

EXAMPLES:

If I go to a friend's house for dinner, I usually take a bottle of wine or some flowers.

When I have a day off from work, I often go to the beach.

If the weather is nice, she walks to work.

Jerry helps me with my home work when he has time.

I read if there is nothing on TV.

What do you do when it rains?
I stay at home.

Where do you stay if you go to Sydney?
I stay with my friends near the harbor.
 

IMPORTANT   If / When
Both "if" and "when" are used in the Present Real Conditional. Using "if" suggests that something happens less frequently. Using "when" suggests that something happens regularly.
 

EXAMPLES:

When I have a day off from work, I usually go to the beach.
(I regularly have days off from work.)

If I have a day off from work, I usually go to the beach.
(I rarely have days off from work.)  
 
 
 

FORM
[If ... SIMPLE PAST ..., ... would + VERB ... ]

USE
The Present Unreal Conditional is used to talk about what you would do in imaginary situations in general.

EXAMPLES:

If I had a car, I would drive to work. But I don't have 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 have a TV.

Mary would move to Japan if she spoke Japanese.

If they worked harder, they would earn more money.

What would you do if you won the lottery?
I would travel.

Where would you live if you moved to the U.S.?
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.)
 

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, 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
 
 

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
 
 
 

 
Go to Present Conditional Exercises
Test your knowledge of Present Real Conditional vs. Present Unreal Conditional