1

Do these sentences mean exactly the same thing? If yes, why does (a) use the present tense and (b) the past?

(a) IF I WIN the lottery, I WILL buy a big house.

(b) IF I WON the lottery, I WOULD BUY a big house.

Thank you!

Ikki
  • 275

1 Answers1

1

Timing is everything.

In the first instance, there is a real possibility of winning the lottery. The speaker has already purchased a lottery ticket and is awaiting the draw.

In the second instance, the speaker is fantasizing about winning the lottery someday.

Stan
  • 2,469
  • 1
    There is never a real possibility to win ;))) If there were, he should use "When I win"... – mplungjan Sep 21 '13 at 05:01
  • Can you please give me some suggested reading for the second case. – madhu131313 Oct 15 '18 at 17:28
  • 1
    @ᚔZenOutᚔ I cannot. However, if "spoken" by the protagonist, I can easily imagine it introducing most any episode of a typical American television situation comedy. – Stan Oct 16 '18 at 02:11