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Conditional
The conditional is formed using the modal "would" in front of an infinitive (dropping the word "to"). The conditional is used especially in three contexts:
1) Politeness
- I would like the menu, please.
- Would you have a couple of minutes for me?
2) To indicate the "future within the past":
- She said she would come to the party.
- I thought he would arrive before me.
3) In hypothetical constructions with "if." When "if" is followed by the preterit or the subjunctive, the conditional is expected in the second clause:
- If I had the time, I would do my homework.
- If you told me the truth, I would believe you.
The "if" of hypothetical expressions can be implicit:
- In your position (= if I were you), I wouldn't have
stayed.
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