
The Conditional Mood
Form: The form of the conditional mood is analytical – the auxiliary verbs should/ would + the infinitive of the national verb.
The conditional mood has two tense-forms: present and past.
I, we |
Present |
Past |
should go |
should have gone | |
you, he, she, they |
would go would speak |
would have gone would have spoken |
Meaning: A problematic action, the realization of which in the future is excluded.
Usage: In simple sentences
In simple sentences the conditional mood is used in sentences expressing unreal consequence when the condition is not expressed as such (implied condition).
but for this |
smb. would do smth. (I, we) should do smth. |
smb. would have done smth. (I, we) should have done smth. |
e.g. But for the wind the weather would be nice.
But for your help the woman would not have risked crossing the street.
Note: The modal verbs have no special form for the condition mood. They have only one form of the oblique mood – the form of Subjunctive II:
but for this |
smb could/ might do smth |
smb could/ might done smth |
e.g. But for you I couldn’t finish my work.
But for her blushing we might have believed her.
In simple sentences with implied condition to express unreal cosequence the conditional mood is used when the condition is expressed by the infinitive.
to do smth. |
would have smb |
to have done smth |
would have helped smb |
e.g. To stop now would mean losing everything.
To have been told so would upset him greatly.
It would delight everybody to hear the news.
To have given him a hand would cost you very little.
In simple sentences with implied condition after the conjunction otherwise.
otherwise |
smb would do smth. (I, we) should do smth. |
(or) |
smb. would have done smth. (I, we) should have done smth. |
e.g. I should take my younger sister to the pictures.
Otherwise I should gladly stay and help you.
Otherwise I could gladly stay and help you.
She was angry with you, otherwise she wouldn’t speak like this.
It is sure to rain later in the day, or the birds would not be flying to low.
I used only the freshest butter, or my cakes would not have been so good.
I’m sure he didn’t get the job, otherwise he would not look so downcast.
In complex sentences
The conditional mood is used in the principal clause of a complex sentence with a subordinate clause of unreal condition where the predicate is in the form of Subjunctive II.
If, even if, even though |
smb said smth. |
smb would do smth. (I, we) should do smth. |
smb had said smth. |
smb. would have done smth. (I, we) should have done smth. |
e.g. If you knew him better, you would not think so.
If you had gone there, you would have seen him.
If |
smb said smth. |
smb could/ might do smth |
smb had said smth. |
smb could/ might done smth |
e.g. If it were not so dark, I could take you there now.
If it had not been so dark, I could have taken you there right then.
In sentences expressing unreal consequence when the condition is not expressed as such.
I suppose you are a stranger here, or you would have heard about it.
He is a poet, otherwise he would not be able to write such a verse.
Note: If the condition is permanent, while the action refers to the present or to the past, we use the following pattern.
If |
Subjunctive II present |
Conditional mood present |
smb were smth. smb did smth. |
I, we should do smth | |
Hh/ she/ it/ they would do smth |
If |
Subjunctive II present |
Conditional mood past |
smb were smth. smb did smth. |
I, we should should have done smth | |
He/ she/ it/ they would have done smth |
e.g. If you were practical, you wouldn’t buy these shoes.
If he were not absent-minded, he wouldn’t forget to past the letter.
If he knew the subject better, he would not say the things he does.
Sometimes the modal verb “to be to” is used in the form of Subjunctive II in the subordinate if – clause.
If |
smb were to do smth. smb did smth. |
I/ we should do smth |
he/ she/ it/ they would do smth |
e.g. If I were to tell you it’s no good, would you believe me?
I simply do not know what I should do if they were to come today.
Would you object if we were to ask you to go there.
My new shoes would be ruined if it were to rain.
To make a sentence more emphatic we use the modal verb would in the clause of condition.
If |
he, she, they would do smth. |
I, we should do smth. |
he, she, they would do smth. |
If |
he, she, they would do smth. |
smb. could do smth. |
e.g. Of course, I should go if mother would let me.
We could have the party at this flat if he would give us the key.
He would finish it in time if only they would keep quiet.