WS:conditionals
From Creolista!
In general, the standard EFL grammars have divided the conditional mode in English into 3 types on the basis of both syntax and semantics:
(It was not simply done to encourage students to learn the ordinals from 1st-3rd :)
Quickly, in the part of the sentence that does not include the condition (which is often introduced by if), the following modals are frequently found
- The first conditional = Ø, can, will, may, shall V
- The second conditional = d, could, would, should, might V
- The third conditional = primarily də, coulda', woulda', shoulda' (and mighta') Ved
The first conditional
- If we finish in time, we can go to the 7:30pm showing.
- If she's flying in late Monday, she may want us to start later on Tuesday morning, so she can recover from jet lag.
- If I have my daughter, I Ø leave work early to pick her up. (general truth)
- If I have my daughter Friday evening, I will (have to) leave work early to pick her up. (more specific)
- If I have my daughter Friday evening, I may ask for Friday afternoon off to go shopping and clean the house.