Page 102 - Handbuch Erasmus+ 2019.07._Neat

ERASMUS+ PROJEKT 2016-2019: EDUCATION – the key for your future!

a. Form

CONDITION CLAUSE RESULT CLAUSE
imaginary present situation imaginary present consequence
simple past tense would + verb (base form)
second conditional If Jon studied, he would get better marks at school.
If I won a big lottery prize, I would travel around the world.

b. Use

If Clause Type 2 expresses actions and situations which cannot be real in present time. They are
imaginary actions or situations. That’s why it is formed with past tense forms although in reality
it refers to a present time.

Truth: I don’t have enough money now so I can’t lend you any to buy that
shirt.

Conditional: If I had enough money now, I would lend you some to buy that
shirt.

Truth: I have to work tomorrow, so I can’t come to the cinema.

Conditional: If I didn’t have to work tomorrow, I would come to the cinema.

Note 1: We can use “were” instead of “was” for every subject pronoun in If Clause Type 2.

If I was / were you, I’d marry Joe.

If she were here, she’d be very happy.

Note 2: We can switch the position of clauses in conditional sentences. When result clause
comes before the condition clause, we don’t put a comma in between the sentences.

I’d marry Joe if I were you.

I will all buy you drinks if I get the job.

98