Grammar · Verb tenses
Conditional (would)
Formula: would + base form
B1
Quick answer
would + base form. It expresses an imaginary situation, a wish or a polite request. Example: I would help you if I could. You use it in sentences with if (second and third conditionals) or alone, to be polite.Conditional (would): how to build a sentence
Affirmative
subject + would + V
I would come.
I'd come.
Negative
wouldn't + V
I wouldn't come.
She wouldn't come.
Question
Would + subject + V?
Would you come?
Would she come?
The 4 main uses
1. Second conditional
If + Past Simple, would + V: an imaginary situation now.
“If I had time, I would help you.”
2. Third conditional
If + Past Perfect, would have + past participle: an imaginary situation in the past, often a regret.
“If I had known, I would have come.”
3. Polite request
Would you…? makes a request more polite.
“Would you help me, please?”
4. Wish, preference
“I would love to come.”
Signal words
Some words almost always go with this tense: if you see one in the sentence, it is a good clue.
if
introduces the imaginary situation
“If I were rich, I would travel.”
would like / love
a polite way to say what you want
“I would like a coffee.”
Common mistakes to avoid
If I were
In the second conditional with be, the standard form is If I were, for all persons. If I was is common in speech, but use were in writing and in tests. If I were rich, I would travel.
No would in the if part
Do NOT put would in the part with if. If I had time ✓ / If I would have time ✗.
The short form 'd
I'd can mean I would (followed by the base form) or I had (followed by a past participle). I'd go = I would go. I'd gone = I had gone. Some verbs, like come, have the same base form and past participle, so the rest of the sentence tells you: I'd come if I could (would), I'd already come home when you called (had).
Practice quiz
Related pages: Conditional (would)
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
What's next?
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Frequently asked questions
How do you form the conditional in English?+
Would + base form. I would come, she would help. It is very common for imaginary situations (if I had time, I would come), polite requests (Would you help?) and wishes (I would love to).
What is the difference between the second and third conditional?+
Second conditional (imaginary present): if + Past Simple, would + verb. If I had time, I would help. Third conditional (imaginary past, regret): if + Past Perfect, would have + past participle. If I had known, I would have come.
Is it if I were or if I was?+
In the second conditional with be, formal English uses were for all persons: if I were, if she were. In speech, if I was is more and more accepted. In formal writing, use if I were.
Why is there no would after if?+
The rule: no would in the part that starts with if. If I had time (correct) → I would help. Not If I would have time. Would goes in the other part of the sentence.
How do you ask politely with would?+
Would you + base form? Would you help me? Would you mind closing the door? Would you like a coffee? It is more polite than Will you or Do you want.
Updated on 6 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 6 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/grammar/conditional-would
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