conditionals.

[Ram100]

In second conditionals,past form of the veb is used.Eg:If I dropped my watch, it would break.(unlikely)
Could someone tell me if this type can be used in future tense?

[competence]

Originally Posted by Ram100

In second conditionals,past form of the veb is used.Eg:If I dropped my watch, it would break.(unlikely)
Could someone tell me if this type can be used in future tense?

Hi Ram100,

Imagine you have an old watch, and you are showing it to a friend. And your friend says "That's a great watch, I wish I had one exactly like it." And you say "Yes, it is a great watch, but it's very old, and if I dropped it tomorrow, it would break".

More examples:

If I lost my job tomorrow, it would be hard to find another one with the same salary.

If Frank spoke French he could work as an interpreter at the United Nations next year.


If Helen learned to drive, she could take her children to private school next year.

Remember, strictly speaking English does not have a future tense, and information about "when" an action is happening in the future is either in the context or in other parts of speech (frequently adverbials like "tomorrow", "next year", etc....)


I hope that helps,

Matthew Balson
Competence home

[sudarawee]

I am not a native speaker but please see below.

Conditional sentence is divided into 3 types.
1. Talk about something if it happens/ will happen in the present or future to express a probable condition. Or talk about the natural laws or habitual actions (general statement).
If he goes to London, he will meet his old friend.
If water is heated, it boils.
If students don't study they often fail.

2. Express doubt, express the improbable condition.
If i saw him, I should speak to him.
If I were you, I would cut down all those trees.
3. Talk about something in the past that is impossible to happen and it was opposite to the fact in the past.
If I had known of your arrival, I should have met you. (but I didn't know, so I didn't meet you)
If she had fallen into the river, she would have drowned. (but she didn't fall into the river, so she didn't drown)

Your sentence:
If I dropped my watch, it would break. It means you didn't drop your watch so it didn't break. It expresses the improbable condition
If I drop my watch, it will break. Shows probable condition. It may or may not break.
If I drop my watch, it breaks. It means this watch will surely be broken if you drop it.

[rj1948]

If water is heated, it boils.
If students don't study they often fail.
The above sentences are non conditionals.Zero conditionals.
If I dropped it would break-2nd conditional.An unlikely event.It can also be a future conditional.
Regards,
rj1948.