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.
  

See related topics:

• Past conditional
• Modal verbs

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