This document discusses the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 conditional statements. Type 1 conditionals are used when the speaker believes a situation is likely to happen, while Type 2 conditionals are used to describe imagined or unlikely situations. It also distinguishes between using "would" to describe regular past events versus its use in Type 2 conditional statements, which express wishes rather than realities.

1. 37. Usage Note on Page
199

2. Type 1 and Type 2 conditionals may be used in similar
contexts. However, with the real conditional, the speaker
believes the situation is more likely to happen.
Type 1 Type 2
If I get a new car, I’ll drive
across the country (= I
think there is a good
chance that I will get a
new car, and this will
happen.)
If I got a new car, I’d drive
across the country (= I
just imagining this. I don’t
think it will really happen.

3. We sometimes use would to describe a regular event in the
past. Be careful not to confuse this with a Type 2 conditional
statement with would. These two uses of would have different
meanings.
Past tense with “would” Type 2 conditional
statement with “would”
I really liked my fifth-
grade teacher. If we all
our homework, she would
give us a treat. (Describes
something that happened regularly
in the past.)
If we all did our
homework, the teacher
would give us a treat.
Let’s do it! (Describes something
that is not true now; the speaker
expresses a wish that it would
happen in the future.)