WritingThe conditional tense

Here we'll look at the type of language you can use to start a sentence. We'll also look at forming the conditional tense of some common regular and irregular verbs.

Use the conditional tense

In Directed Writing you will usually get one bullet point that will require the use of the conditional tense to answer.

There are several good ways to start of a sentence using the conditional tense.

Bu toigh leam - I would like

Bhithinn - I would be

Mholainn - I would recommend

Nam bithinn - If I would be

Rachainn - I would go

Bu chòir dhut - You should

Bu toigh leam a dhol air ais uaireigin – I would like to go back sometime

Cha bu toigh leam tilleadh idir, cha do chòrd e rium idir – I would not like to return at all, I did not enjoy it at all

Bhithinn toilichte a bhith a' fuireach anns an Fhraing - I would be happy to stay in France

Mholainn seachdain aig a' cholaiste Ghàidhlig do dhuine sam bith - I would recommend a week at the Gaelic college to anyone

Nam bithinn a' dol air làithean-saora a Leòdhas a-rithist, rachainn ann air a' phlèana seach air a' bhàt'-aiseig – If I was [would be] going on holiday to Lewis again, I would go on the plane instead of the ferry

Bu chòir dhut a dhol a choimhead air a' Cholosseum ma thèid thu dhan Ròimh – You should go to see the Colosseum if you go to Rome.

The conditional form of the verbBi - would be

The table shows how to form the conditional of the verb Bi – would be.

The conditional form of regular verbs

The table shows how to form the conditional form of regular verbs.

Conditional forms of the eight most common irregular verbs

The table below shows how the conditional forms of the eight most common irregular verbs are formed.