Neues Konzept
Both halves conditional
To imagine something that isn't true — if I had time…, if I were rich… — English uses two different forms: a past in the if-half, would in the other.
Finnish is simpler: the conditional in both halves.
| Finnish | English |
|---|---|
| Jos minulla olisi aikaa, tulisin. | If I had time, I'd come. |
| Jos osaisin ranskaa, puhuisin sitä. | If I could speak French, I'd speak it. |
| Mitä tekisit, jos voittaisit lotossa? | What would you do if you won the lottery? |
- jos = if. There's always a comma between the halves.
- Either half can come first: Tulisin, jos minulla olisi aikaa.