conditional tense
"Would" verb form
The conditional tense expresses what would happen under certain circumstances: If I had more time, I would learn French.
It typically uses "would" plus a verb to describe hypothetical situations, wishes, or polite requests: Would you pass the salt?
Grammarians sometimes call it a mood rather than a tense, since it concerns possibility rather than time.
Conditional clause marker
- wouldConditional mood marker
- couldModal of possibility
- mightGreat physical strength
- supposeAccept as true tentatively
imagine · subjunctive · counterfactual · hypothetically · what if · assuming · presupposing · given that
Modal of possibility
- mightGreat physical strength
- mayVerb of possibility
- wouldConditional mood marker
- canCylindrical metal container
potential · perhaps · possibly · conceivably · plausibly · feasibly · likely · probably
Except if
- providedSupplied or given
- dependentRequiring outside support
- subject toConditionally governed by
- pendingAwaiting resolution or decision
provisional · tentative · uncertain · doubtful · iffy · unconfirmed · unsettled · indeterminate
if
Conditional clause marker
suppose · imagine · subjunctive · counterfactual · hypothetically · what if · assuming · presupposing · given that · in case
could
Modal of possibility
can · potential · perhaps · possibly · conceivably · plausibly · feasibly · likely · probably · chance
unless
Except if
- providedSupplied or given
- dependentRequiring outside support
- subject toConditionally governed by
pending · provisional · tentative · uncertain · doubtful · iffy · unconfirmed · unsettled · indeterminate · questionable
conditional tensepast tense
Verb form for before
future tense · present tense · simple past · simple future · preterite
conditional, condition, conditions, conditioned, conditioning, conditioner, unconditional, unconditionally, conditionally