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If + Past + Would + Verb

The document discusses the second conditional, which is used to describe hypothetical or unlikely situations in the present or future. It involves using "if" with the past tense form of the verb, followed by "would" and the base verb form. Examples are given such as "If I won the lottery, I would travel around the world" to describe something unlikely. Other modal verbs like "could" and "might" can be used instead of "would" to express different levels of possibility in the if-clause.

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29 views

If + Past + Would + Verb

The document discusses the second conditional, which is used to describe hypothetical or unlikely situations in the present or future. It involves using "if" with the past tense form of the verb, followed by "would" and the base verb form. Examples are given such as "If I won the lottery, I would travel around the world" to describe something unlikely. Other modal verbs like "could" and "might" can be used instead of "would" to express different levels of possibility in the if-clause.

Uploaded by

Yasmin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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If + past + would + verb

Meaning
Second conditional is used in situations/actions in the present or future
which are not likely to happen or are imaginary, hypothetical or
impossible.

 If I won the lottery, I would travel around the world and buy a castle.


I think it is very unlikely that I will win the lottery. However, in this unlikely
condition, I will travel and buy a castle.

 If I wasn’t watching TV now, I would be playing football.


I am watching TV, but I am imagining an alternative activity I would be doing if
I wasn’t watching TV.

 If I were an alien, I would be able to travel around the universe.


It is impossible for me to be an alien. However, I am imagining what I would do
in this situation

Additional points
Other modal verbs can be used in place of would:

 If I had more money, I could buy a car.

Buying a car would be possible.

 If I won the lottery, I might give all the money to charity.

Giving the money to charity is only a possibility.

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