I.
Hypothetical/Unreal Conditionals
Unreal present conditionals talk about the present but are marked with verbs that look
like they are in the past. When you combine that with the “if” clause, native speakers
recognize the information in the sentence as untrue.
A. Present time
These conditionals are used to talk about unlikely and impossible situations. Americans
often talk about things that are not real. We often wonder how things could be different
and use conditionals to do so. For example, it is common to hear teen-agers ask each
other questions like: "If Josh asked you out, would you go?" It is also used to give advice:
"If I were you, I would do my homework every day."
B. Types of hypothetical conditionals
1. Unlikely:
If Paul had time, he would go to Mexico.
reality: Paul does not have time, so he is not going to Mexico.
We can see that he is physically capable of going, but he cannot do it right now.
2. Impossible:
If George Washington were alive today, he would be surprised how many streets
are named after him.
reality: Washington is not alive, so he is not surprised.
Here we see that this conditional is impossible because George Washington is dead. It
could never come true.
C. Structure
1. Statements
a. If Clause:
If + Subject + Simple past
b. Result (Main) Clause:
Subject + Would + Base form of verb
If Sally ran five miles a day, she would be in good shape.
Note: The verb BE in the If clause will always appear as were, no matter what the
subject is.
2. Word order
Either the If clause or the result clause may come first without changing the
meaning. When the If clause comes first, it must be followed by a comma. No
comma is used when the result clause comes first.
a. If I were you, I would study every day.
b. I would study every day if I were you.
3. Yes/No questions.
a. If Clause:
If + Subject + Simple past form
b. Result Clause:
Would + Subject + Base form of verb.
If I gave you more homework, would you do it?
If you did more homework, would you have any time to have fun?
4. WH- Questions
a. If Clause:
If + Subject + Simple Past
b. Result Clause:
WH- Word + Would + Subject + Base Form
What would you do if you found $100?
If you found $100 at De Anza, where would* you take it?
*Could also sounds good here because it is referring to possibilities.
c. Reduced WH- question: Often we don’t ask the question using both clauses
because part of it is understood. This is a question my son asked at 4 ½ years
old:
What if I ate the whole world?
What we understand is:
What would happen if I ate the whole world?
5. Negation
One or both clauses may be said in a negative way.
a. If Clause:
If + Subject + Simple Past + Not
b. Result Clause:
Subject + Would + Base Form
If Kim didn't stay up so late, she wouldn't get her homework done.
She wouldn’t get such good grades if she didn’t get her homework
done.