grammar_conditional

Conditional Tenses

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The conditional words are:

could, would, should, might

Conditional words are used to express indefinite situations or thoughts--wants, wishes, hopes, uncertainties.

Compare the non-conditional with the conditional words.

Word	Example	Meaning
can	I can help you.	definite: yes, I can
could	I could help you if I wasn't so busy.	thought: I wish I could help
will	I will finish the project.	definite: future tense
would	I would like to finish the project on time.	thought: I hope to finish
shall	I shall go with you.	definite: yes, I'll go
should	I should go with you because you shouldn't go alone.	thought: I want to go
may	You may leave the class now.	definite: you have permission
might	You might leave this class sometime soon.	indefinite: maybe you will go, maybe not

Non-conditional and Conditional Words in Use

The word shall is almost obsolete (removed from the language). The word may is used sometimes, but less often than might.

Regular	Conditional	In Use
can	could	both regularly used
will	would	both regularly used
shall	should	shall is rarely used because it is too close in meaning to "will;" should is used
may	might	may is used with a few verbs, rarely otherwise; might is regularly used

Conditional Words + Verbs

Most of the time, you will pair a conditional word with a present tense verb.

I could go, they would pay, we should think about it ...

There is a popular phrase that is entirely conditional:

I would if a I could.

When expressing more complex thoughts, you can also use a conditional word with a present perfect verb.

I would have gone to the party, but my car broke down.
I could have given you some money today, but I forgot to get cash.
I should have called my mother earlier in the day.

* Do not pair a conditional word with a past tense or past perfect verb. *

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