xxxTKxxx

Past Real Conditional

FORM
[If / When ... SIMPLE PAST ..., ... SIMPLE PAST ...]
or
[... SIMPLE PAST... if / when ... SIMPLE PAST ...]


USE
The Past Real Conditional describes what you used to do in particular real life situations. It suggests that your habits have changed and you do not usually do these things today.

EXAMPLES:

If I went to a friend's house for dinner, I usually took a bottle of wine or some flowers. I don't do that anymore.

When I had a day off from work, I often went to the beach. Now, I never get time off.

If the weather was nice, she often walked to work. Now, she usually drives.

Jerry always helped me with my homework when he had time. But he doesn't do that anymore.

I usually read if there was nothing on TV.

What did you usually do when it rained?
I usually stayed at home.


IMPORTANT

Used to

The form "Used to" is often used to emphasize that the past action was a habit. If you are not familiar with the form "Used to," you can read about it in the English Page's "Used to Page."

EXAMPLES:

If I went to a friends house for dinner, I used to take a bottle of wine or some flowers. I don't do that anymore.

When I had a day off from work, I used to go to the beach. Now, I never get time off.

If the weather was nice, she used to walk to work. Now, she usually drives.

Jerry used to help me with my homework when he had time. But he doesn't do that anymore.

What did you do when it rained?
I used to stay at home.


IMPORTANT

If / When

Both "if" and "when" are used in the Past Real Conditional. Using "if" suggests that something happened less frequently. Using "when" suggests that something happened regularly.


EXAMPLES:

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

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


Past Unreal Conditional

FORM
[If ... PAST PERFECT ..., ... would have + PAST PARTICIPLE ... ]
or
[... would have + PAST PARTICIPLE ... if ... PAST PERFECT ...]


USE
The Past Unreal Conditional is used to talk about imaginary situations in the past. You can describe what you would have done differently or how something could have happened differently if circumstances had been different.

EXAMPLES:

If I had had a car, I would have driven to work. But I didn't have one, so I took the bus.

She would have traveled around the world if she had had more money. But she didn't have much money, so she never traveled.

I would have read more as a child if I hadn't had a TV. Unfortunately, I did have a TV, so I never read for entertainment.

Mary would have gotten the job and moved to Japan if she had studied Japanese in school instead of French.

If they had worked harder, they would have earned more money. Unfortunately, they were lazy and they didn't earn much.

What would you have done if you had won the lottery last week?
I would have traveled.

What city would you have chosen if you had decided to move to the United States?
I would have chosen Seattle.


EXCEPTION Conditional with Modal Verbs
There are some special Conditional forms for modal verbs in English:

would have + can = could have
would have + shall = should have
would have + may = might have

The words "can," "shall" and "may" must be used in these special forms; they cannot be used with "would have."

EXAMPLES:

If I had gone to Egypt, I could have learned Arabic. CORRECT

If she had had time, she might have gone 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 had more time, I would have could exercise after work. NOT CORRECT
If I had had more time, I could have exercised after work. CORRECT

If he had invited you, you would have might go. NOT CORRECT
If he had invited you, you might have gone . 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 have bought that computer when it had been cheaper. NOT CORRECT
I would have bought that computer if it had been cheaper. CORRECT

KaRaGüRüLTü 4EvER