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Conditionals If I had a lot of money, I would travel all over the world. OR If I have a lot of money, I will travel all over the world. Which one is the correct one? What's the difference? I know that when we talk about imaginative situation or something that is unreal, we use conditional type 2. But what about the second statement? Is it correct? Can we consider both of them to be correct? Thanks in advance.
Mar 19, 2014 3:39 PM
Answers · 15
5
They are both grammatically correct. 'If I had a lot of money, I would travel..' is called the 2nd conditional. It is an imaginary situation and I don't really think it is going to happen. 'If I have a lot of money, I will travel…' is the first conditional. It is a possible future but at the moment I don't have a lot of money. But it is possible that I will. I am more hopeful in this sentence.
March 19, 2014
2
The second sentence is incorrect. Since you use the "if" you can't use future because as you said it yourself, it is an imaginative situation, something that "might" happen ( not "will" ), it doesn't mean that it can't really happen, but as we say, don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched :p
March 19, 2014
Emma's spot on :) If I had - I would do. If I (when I) have - I do. I didn't know the proper name for that though, so thanks Emma for telling me about 1st n 2nd conditionals. WOO HOO!!! :D
April 12, 2014
Sorry both can be correct, but I still think the first form (from the link) is only applicable when it is "very likely" that the condition will be fulfilled, I considered that winning money (as in winning the lottery) is not that sure of a fact... I only use the second form for situations such as "If I find you, I will kill you" where I am sure to fulfil the condition. But it is a personal opinion, so yes I was definitely wrong, both can be grammatically correct ! Thank you Sarah for the link :)
March 20, 2014
Thank you very much, Sara.
March 20, 2014
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