-sa ... -ar edi
Unreal Conditions
-sa clause + main verb in -ar edi = if X were so, Y would happen: Vaqtim boʻlsa, borardim (If I had time, I would go).
How It Works
1. The main clause: -ar edi
Take the stem, add -ar after a consonant or -r after a vowel, then edi with the person ending. Said as one word, it is written together:
- borar edim → borardim (I would go)
- oʻqir edik → oʻqirdik (we would read)
- negative with -mas: bormas edim → bormasdim (I wouldn't go)
2. The if-clause
Use -sa, or -sa edi to make the unreal meaning extra clear: Pulim boʻlsa edi, yangi mashina olardim (If I had money, I would buy a new car). For a condition in the past, -ganda with a possessive ending is common: Bilganimda, aytardim (Had I known, I would have told you).
3. Real or imagined
Compare the two main verbs:
- Boy boʻlsam, uy olaman (If I get rich, I'll buy a house) — a real possibility
- Boy boʻlsam, uy olardim (If I were rich, I would buy a house) — imagined
For a result that clearly lies in the past, you can use -gan boʻlar edi: aytgan boʻlardim (I would have told you).
4. Advice and polite suggestions
Men sizning oʻrningizda boʻlsam, shifokorga borardim (If I were you, I would go to the doctor). -sangiz boʻlardi gives gentle advice: Bu kitobni oʻqisangiz boʻlardi (It would be good if you read this book).
5. A look-alike
-ar edi on its own also means used to: Bolaligimda qishloqqa borardim (As a child, I used to go to the village). Next to an -sa clause, it means would.
Examples (6)
- Vaqtim boʻlsa, sizga yordam berardim.
If I had time, I would help you.
Word by Word: Time-my if-were, you-to help would-give-I.
- Men sizning oʻrningizda boʻlsam, shifokorga borardim.
If I were you, I would go to the doctor.
Word by Word: I your place-your-in if-were-I, doctor-to would-go-I.
- Bilganimda, albatta aytardim.
Had I known, I would definitely have told you.
Word by Word: When-knew-I, certainly would-tell-I.
-ganimda gives the condition in the past.
- Pulim boʻlsa edi, yangi mashina olardim.
If I had money, I would buy a new car.
Word by Word: Money-my if-were was, new car would-buy-I.
- Avtobus kechikmaganida, darsga oʻz vaqtida kelardim.
If the bus hadn't been late, I would have come to class on time.
Word by Word: Bus when-not-late-it-was, class-to own time-its-in would-come-I.
- Bu kitobni oʻqisangiz boʻlardi.
It would be good if you read this book.
Word by Word: This book-(obj.) if-read-you would-be.
-sangiz boʻlardi is a polite way to give advice.
Common Mistakes
Using a plain past verb for the condition.
Agar vaqtim bor edi, borardim.Agar vaqtim boʻlsa, borardim.English says if I had, but a condition that opens with agar still needs the -sa form, even when it is imagined.
Using the present-future in the main clause of an imagined situation.
Men sizning oʻrningizda boʻlsam, shifokorga boraman.Men sizning oʻrningizda boʻlsam, shifokorga borardim.Boraman makes it a real plan. To say what you would do in someone else's place, use -ar edi: borardim.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Builds on Used To: -ar edi and If Only: -sa edi.
Related Patterns
- -saIf: -sa
The if-form used in the condition; with a present-future main verb it gives a real condition.
Level 3 - -gandaWhen: -ganda
With a possessive ending, gives a past condition: bilganimda (had I known).
Level 3 - -gan boʻlsaIf Something Has Happened
A condition about a completed event; with boʻlardi it describes the past that did not happen.
Level 5 - agarIf: Agar
Can open the if-clause, but the verb still needs -sa.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice -sa ... -ar edi in Bubblegum
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