Conditional

The conditional is formed using the modal "would" in front of an infinitive (dropping the word "to"). The conditional is used especially in three contexts:

1) Politeness
I would like the menu, please.
Would you have a couple of minutes for me?

2) To indicate the "future within the past":
She said she would come to the party.
I thought he would arrive before me.

3) In hypothetical constructions with "if." When "if" is followed by the preterit or the subjunctive, the conditional is expected in the second clause:
If I had the time, I would do my homework.
If you told me the truth, I would believe you.

The "if" of hypothetical expressions can be implicit:

In your position (= if I were you), I wouldn't stay here!