hypothetical (unreal) conditionals

Question: What would you do if you won the lottery?:

Question: What would you do if you won the lottery? This presentation will provide explanation and practice for: Unreal Conditionals *also called 2 nd conditionals or hypothetical conditionals

SO… What would you do if you won the lottery!?:

SO… What would you do if you won the lottery!? Kelly would buy a bigger house for herself and her parents if she won the lottery. If Paul won the lottery, he ’d travel around the world. John and his wife would buy a grand piano if they became rich.

We use unreal conditionals in English to talk about: A situation that is not real, but that we imagine . . .:

We use unreal conditionals in English to talk about: A situation that is not real, but that we imagine . . . If I had a million dollars . . . I would . . . If I had more time . . . I would . . . If I got a job as a chef . . . I would . . . Are these real situations? Do I really have a million dollars? Do I really have more time? Do I really work as a chef? NO! these are imaginary situations

How do we make this type of conditional grammar? Look at these examples::

How do we make this type of conditional grammar? Look at these examples: 1. If my friend asked me for money, I would lend it to her. 2. Tomas would be happier if he got a less stressful job. 3. Speaking in English would be easier if you practiced more frequently. After the IF, use ______________________ tense. In the other clause, use __________________. simple past would + verb

Form & Meaning::

Form & Meaning: When we imagine a future happening like this, we use a past tense form after IF; However, the meaning is NOT past. Example: If I moved to a big city, I ’d sell my car and take the bus. *The meaning here is NOT past tense . . . I didn’t move away and I didn’t sell my car. I’m imagining a future possibility .

Notice that you can start these sentences with the If-clause or with the Would-clause::

Notice that you can start these sentences with the If-clause or with the Would-clause : If Marta moved abroad , she would learn another language. Clara would learn another language if she moved abroad.

Try these examples::

Try these examples: 1. If we ____________ (have) more time and money, we ________________ (take) a vacation to Hawaii. had would take 2. The world ______________ (be) a better place if everyone ______________ (pitch) to help others. would be pitched in

More Practice . . .:

More Practice . . . 3. If you __________ (get) more exercise, I’m sure you ________________ (feel) healthier and happier. 4. Alex ______________ (do) better in school if he ________________ (not, spend) so much time playing video games. got would feel would do didn’t spend

Important Note!:

Important Note! Formal grammar requires that when making these kinds of conditional sentences, we use WERE for the past tense of be for all subjects (including I, he, she). Examples: -If I were you, I would buy that house. -She would buy a mansion if she were wealthy.

Slide 10:

You will probably hear many native speakers of English use WAS in these cases, and this is often accepted in spoken, less formal situations. And now . . . more practice!

Slide 11:

What would YOU do if . . . you became rich? you found a wallet on the street? you had more time each day? your best friend didn’t keep your secret? your child failed a test? there were an earthquake in California? you saw a famous person on the street? Share Your Responses with the class . . .

For additional practice . . .:

For additional practice . . . Go to our class website: www.ecc6.blogspot.com On the left hand side, under the Summer Semester, click on the Conditional Grammar links. If I were you, I would do this Internet practice!