Summary
In-depth Explanation
What Is the Conditional Mood?
The conditional mood expresses actions or events that are not guaranteed to happen but are dependent on a condition being met. It is usually formed using modal verbs such as “would,” “could,” “might” or “should.” For example:
I would travel more if I had more money.
She could join us if she finishes her work.
They might visit tomorrow, depending on the weather.
She would call, but her phone is broken.
It should be noted that the conditional mood is sometimes considered a subtype of the subjunctive mood rather than a separate mood.
How to Form the Conditional Mood
The most basic form of the conditional mood uses a modal verb (like would, could, might) + the base form of the main verb. For example:
I would travel.
We could go.
They might win.
Conditional sentences often include an if-clause that specifies the condition. For example:
I would buy a new car if I had the money.
She might help us if we ask her.
If I were rich, I would travel the world.
If it weren’t so cold, we could sit outside.
In addition to basic forms, there are more complex ways to express the conditional mood, allowing for nuanced scenarios involving ongoing or past hypothetical actions. For example:
I would be studying if the library were open.
She would have joined us, but she was feeling sick.
We would have been working all night if the project hadn’t been canceled.
When to Use the Conditional Mood
Here are some of the main situations when we use the conditional mood:
Hypothetical situations: The conditional mood is used to describe imaginary or unreal situations. For example:
If I were taller, I would play basketball.
He would be happier if he had a better job.
Future possibilities: It can describe something that might happen in the future, depending on a condition. For example:
If it stops raining, we could go for a walk.
I might call her later if I have time.
Polite requests or suggestions: The conditional mood is often used for politeness. For example:
Would you mind helping me with this?
Could you pass the salt, please?
Unreal past situations: It can describe things that didn’t happen but could have happened if circumstances had been different. For example:
If she had studied harder, she would have passed the exam.
They might have arrived earlier if they had left on time.