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Ask for help > What īs the difference?
What īs the difference?

Nizarsouth
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What īs the difference?
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Hi colleagues! could you please help me explain to my pupils the difference between conditional type two (if plus simple past = would plus infinitive ) and type three (if plus past perfect = would have plus past participle). Example: If I had enough money I would buy a nice car. If I had had enough money I would have bought a nice car. What does each sentence express? Thanks a lot for your help.
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3 Apr 2013
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PhilipR
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Conditional two expresses an imaginary situation in the present or the future. (Something which could still happen)
E.g. I don īt have enough money now, but if I had money I would go and buy a car. (I donīt have the money so I wonīt buy a car; however, if I won the lottery I would buy one)
Conditional three expresses an imaginary situation in the past. (Something which will never happen because it is in the past)
E.g. I failed my exam last week. If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam. (But I didnīt study hard, and I failed)
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3 Apr 2013
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Rahil_el
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Hi!
To complete Philip answer, I can say Conditional 2 is present unreal ;however , Conditional 3 is past unreal. And remember Conditional 1 is present real. |
3 Apr 2013
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