Sentences & syntax If clause / conditionals
Stand: 26.10.2016 |Bildnachweis
You use the first conditional to express something that is actually possible. It is formed with:
if + verb (simple present), will + verb
If I find something, I will buy it.
You use the second conditional to express something that is still possible, but unlikely. It is formed with:
if + verb (simple past), would + verb
If I had more money, I would buy the dress.
You use the third conditional to express something that is impossible. It is formed with:
if + verb (past perfect), would + verb (present perfect)
If I had had more money, I would have bought the dress.
The if-part and the main part of the sentence can be swapped:
I would come here every day if I lived in London.
→ There is no 'would' in the if-part of the sentence!