Skip to main content

Conditionals: typical errors

We don’t use will and would in the conditional clause:

  • If you book before April 30th, you will receive a 20% discount.

  • Not: If you will book before April 30th, you will receive a 20% discount.

  • If we had a bigger flat, we could invite friends to come and stay.

  • Not: If we would have a bigger flat, we could invite friends to come and stay.

  • If the weather hadn’t been so bad, I could have gone to meet them.

  • Not: If the weather would not have been so bad, I could have gone to meet them.

We don’t use shall or will in the main clause in second conditional sentences:

  • If you worked harder, you would earn more money.
  • Not: … you will earn more money.

We don’t use unless and if together:

  • I’ll try to get there about 6.30 unless you want me to arrive earlier.
  • Not: I’ll try to get there about 6.30 unless if you want me to arrive earlier.