Type 2 Conditional — Unreal or Impossible Conditions

Lesson objective

In this lesson, you will learn how to talk about something that did not happen in the past, or an unreal situation in the present. The word used is kun (if), but kun is used when the situation is contrary to reality.

Past unreal condition

Describes something that did not happen — e.g. “If we had worked…” implies that we did not work.

Present unreal condition

Describes something that is not true now — e.g. “If I were rich…” implies that I am not rich. Context shows whether the sentence refers to the past or present.

Structure

A common structure is: kun + condition, kun + imagined result. The word kun appears in both parts.

Examples

kun kanu 3ndi l-flus, kun mšit m3akum. — If I had money, I would go with you. (I do not have the money; I am not going with you.)

kun ši waнd galha liya, kun jit n-šufk. — If someone had told me, I would have come to see you. (nobody told the speaker)

kun kan kay-xdm hna, kun gltha lik. — If he were working here, I would have told you. (he does not work there)

kun ma-knt-š ana, kun ġrq. — If it had not been for me, he would have drowned.

kun ma-kant-š hiya, kun ma-knna-š n-aklu. — If it were not for her, we would not be eating.