Unreal Conditionals_Help Please

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ESL forum > Ask for help > Unreal Conditionals_Help Please

Unreal Conditionals_Help Please

Unreal Conditionals_Help Please

Dear teachers,

I hope that life is treating you as you like :)

I have a lesson about unreal conditional (2nd) and I need some clarification please...

What is the difference between using "would" and "could" in the second conditional?

For example:

If I stopped smoking, I would be healthier.

I I stopped smoking, I could be healthier.

Is it the degree of possibility or other things?

Another question. What is the difference between:

If I flew a helicopter, I could tour the air,

and

If I could fly a helicopter, I could tour the air?

When do we use "could" in the if clause, and then we use �would � and the second clause?

Thanks in advence,

Khdooy

19 Mar 2009

Apodo

If I stopped smoking, I would be healthier. WOULD is definite - it will happen.

If I stopped smoking, I could be healthier. COULD is not as definite, but quite possible.

If I flew a helicopter, I could tour the air.

and

If I could fly a helicopter, I could tour the air?

If I could fly a helicopter I could tour the air.

If I flew a helicopter I could tour the air.

-- Touring the the air is something that will be possible.

If I could fly a helicopter, I would tour the air.

If I flew a helicopter I would tour the air.

-- You definitely will tour the air.

If I flew / If I could fly -- both mean the same in this example.

19 Mar 2009

Thanks Apodo very much ---I am very appreciated for your help

19 Mar 2009

NIce explanation

19 Mar 2009