2.5.2 Unreal conditions

Rule: In unreal conditions non-past (i.e. present and future) time reference is expressed by the simple past tense in the if clause and would + infinitive in the main clause; past time reference is expressed by the past perfect in the if clause and would + perfect infinitive in the main clause.

Examples of errors:

1. In German if you fail to use these verb forms people wouldn't understand.
2. The situation would be even worse if the Kernstudium is transferred to the other building.
3. 'These women should have the right to decide whether they would have the child or not if they become pregnant against their will.
4. It would be fine if there is some music in the background.
5. Even if you will have the impression that Daniel has a very bad character and he will not be the right husband for Rachel, there would still be time enough to tell Rachel.
6. One argument would be if the doctor would say that the child would become an idiot or would have an incurable disease,
7. But if the government would do so, they would use the money foolishly.
8. If that would be possible, it would be a great thing,
9. If I would eat warm cake I would get a stomach ache.
10. (l0) it is certain that if the mother would have the baby, it would be ill or deformed.
11. I would start writing to different universities if I would have to investigate the possibility of teaching German as a foreign language.
12. If I would be in your situation, I would do nothing.
13. The social order would collapse if more power would be given to more people.
14. If they would grow up with normal children, they would have a better chance of becoming integrated in society.
15. If he would be forced to earn money he could do nearly everything--for example, work in a factory.
16. It will be good for society if,there were more competition.
17. But even if they wanted to, they were not able to produce more cars.
18. If non-violence and pacifism really were effective weapons against violence and indoctrination we surely had a better world than we have now.
19. If you say a doctor can't earn more than 5000 DM, you wouldn't have so many doctors and not so many people want to study medicine and you didn't need such a hard numerus clausus.
20. If I had bought the car, I also had had to buy new tires.

Most violations of Rule 2.5.2 involve the misuse of would in the if clause (cf. (6)-(15)). Just as will does not normally occur in the if clause of real conditions (cf. 2.5-1), would occurs in the if clause of unreal conditions only under special circumstances-namely, if would means 'would be willing to' or if it is used in conjunction with like, prefers, etc. as a polite alternative to want, e.g.:

If you would stop smoking, your health would improve.
If you would like another cup of coffee, I would be glad to fix you one.

Also as in real conditions, would may appear in the if clause if the predication of the clause is subsequent to that of the main clause. To take the same example as in 2.5.1:

If it would bore you, then let's not go

can be seen as derived from

If (it would bore you if we went), then let's not go.

If the verb in the if clause is be, were is possible with singular as well as plural subjects (cf. (2), (8), (12)9 (15)9 (18)):

If I/he/she/it was/were rich, I/he/she/it would travel more.

Were is preferred by many speakers in formal written English and in the expression If I were you...