Conditional type 2

Use The 2nd conditional is used to express unreal situations in the present or future. It is often used to express a wish.

If I were you, I wouldn't do that. (I am not you - therefore the condition is unreal). If I had more time, I would do more on my websites. (I don't have more time - therefore the condition is unreal).

Form
if clause main clause would + infinitive or could + infinitive or might + infinitive

If + S + simple past

Examples
If I studied, If I studied, If I studied, I would pass the exams. I could pass the exams. I might pass the exams.

The if-clause can be at the beginning or at the end of the sentence. If I studied, I would pass the exams I would pass the exams. if I studied.

Note! We never use would, or wouldn't in the if clause.

Conditional type 3
Use Conditional type 3 is used to express conditions in the past that did not happen. It is often used to express criticism or regret.

If I hadn't helped you, you would have failed. (I helped you so you didn't fail). If it had been sunny, we could have gone out. (We didn't go out because it wasn't sunny).

Form
if clause main clause would + have + past participle or could + have + past participle or might + have + past participle

If + S + Past Perfect (had+ past participle)

Examples
If I had studied, If I had studied, If I had studied, I would have passed the exams. I could have passed the exams. I might have passed the exams.

The if-clause can be at the beginning or at the end of the sentence. If I had studied, I would have passed the exams I would have passed the exams. if I had studied.

Note! We never use would have, or wouldn't have etc in the if clause.

EXERCISES
A. PUT THE VERBS BETWEEN BRACKETS IN THE CORRECT FORM. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. I (give) .you his address if I knew it. I dont know his address for the moment. If he had asked me, I (accept) ......................, but he didnt ask me. He could have understood you if you (speak) .....more slowly. You spoke too fast. More tourists (come) ..to our city if it had nice hotels. Titanic (not/sink)..............................................if it (not/crash).............................................into an iceberg. If USA (not/attack)...............................................Iraq,there (not/be).....daily bombs explosions in the country.

B. REWRITE THESE SENTENCES STARTING WITH THE SUGGESTED WORDS 1. Latifa did not visit you because she did not know you were in hospital. Latifa ............................................................................................................................ 2. Rachid was careless while driving his car. That was why he crashed into a tree. If ....................................................................................................................................... 3. Sana was punished because she forgot to do her homework. Sana ...... ............................................................................................................................ 4. Rachid could not buy the jeans because he did not have enough money. If ..... ............................................................................................................................ 5. In order to buy a large villa, Said must be a millionaire. Unfortunately, he is not. Said ...... ............................................................................................................................

Answers
A. PUT THE VERBS BETWEEN BRACKETS IN THE CORRECT FORM. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. I (give) would give you his address if I knew it. I dont know his address for the moment. If he had asked me, I (accept) would have accepted, but he didnt ask me. He could have understood you if you (speak) had spoken more slowly. You spoke too fast. More tourists (come) would come to our city if it had nice hotels. Titanic (not/sink) would not have sunk if it (not/crash) had not crashed into an iceberg. If USA (not/attack) had not attacked Iraq, there (not/be) would not have been daily bombs explosions in the country.

B. REWRITE THESE SENTENCES STARTING WITH THE SUGGESTED WORDS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Latifa would have visited you if she had known you were in hospital. If Rachid hadnt been careless, he wouldnt have crashed into a tree. Sana wouldnt have been punished if she hadnt forgotten to do her homework. If Rachid had enough money, he could buy the jeans. Said would buy the villa if he were a millionaire

Mohamed Lahbib KATHI