Verbs: Conditional 2
Grammar Notes
As a reminder, the future tense in Hebrew uses a combination of prefixes and circumfixes according to who will be doing the action:
| Pronoun | Prefix/Circumfix |
|---|---|
| - | |
| - | |
| - | |
| - | |
| - | |
| */ | |
| / |
Some common verbs will have additional nikkud or irregular spellings to differentiate them from other tenses, so make sure to keep track of those.
Unmute
📖 Story: If only… 8 sentences · 3 questions
If only…
- Noa and Tamar are sitting at home and talking.
- "If I were rich, I would buy a house by the sea," says Noa.
- "And if I had time, I would travel all over the world," says Tamar.
- "If it were hot today, we would go to the sea."
- But today it is cold, and it is raining.
- "If not for the rain, we would be outside," says Tamar.
- Then Noa's mother comes in with a warm cake.
- "Even if I were rich, I wouldn't need more than this," says Noa.
Questions
What would Noa buy if she were rich?
Why aren't the girls outside?
What does Noa's mother bring?
Practice
The rule
Unreal conditions have + verb in both parts. / – "if not for".
| , | If I were rich, I would buy a house |
| , | If not for the rain, we'd be outside |
Each sentence shows the rule. Listen, say it after the voice, then tap the grey bar for the meaning and a note on the rule. The pattern quiz blanks out the key form.
Sentences
- – If I were rich, I would buy a house · היה + verb in both parts
- – If it were hot, we would go to the sea · we → היינו הולכים
- – He would come if he could · both halves use היה
- – If not for the rain, we would be outside · לולא – if not for
- – They would be happy to help · they → היו + plural
- – If she were here, she would laugh · she → הייתה + fem. verb
- – If not for your help, I wouldn't succeed · אילולא – if not for
- – If you knew, would you come? · לו – if (unreal)