We use the second conditional (if + past , would + verb) to talk hypothetically about past situation.
We use the third conditional (if + past perfect, would have + PP) to talk hypothetically about past situation.
| Draggable item | arrow_right_alt | Corresponding Item |
|---|---|---|
if + past perfect, + subject + would/could/may/might + have + PP | arrow_right_alt | we use this structure to express hypothetical situations in the present and future |
if + past simple/continuous, + subject + would/could/may/might + verb (base form) | arrow_right_alt | we use this structure to express hypothetical situations in the past |
This is the structure for present unreal conditionals:
If + subject +
This is the structure for present unreal conditionals:
If + subject +
In present unreal conditionals, we use in the consequence or result clause.
In past unreal conditionals, we use in the consequence or result clause.
In preset unreal conditionals, we use in the condition or if clause.
In past unreal conditionals, we use in the condition or if clause.
Perfect modals are formed by using
Past perfect is formed by using
My dad would have traveled to Argentina with me if he hadn’t lost his passport.
If it hadn’t rained all week, we would have gone to the beach on the weekend.
Julie would move to New York City if she knew how to speak English.
I wouldn’t go back to your ex-husband if I were you.
If I won the lottery, I would quit my job.
If I had studied more, I would have been accepted to Yale University.
If you had called me earlier, I would have picked you up at the airport.
If she were my sister, I would not let her travel by herself.
Mary would have gone to the party if her car hadn’t broken down.
If I had a lot of money, I would buy an apartment.
If I knew how to drive, I would go on a road trip across the USA.
You wouldn’t have overslept if you had gone to bed earlier.
present unreal conditional
past unreal conditional
Complete the text using only second conditional structures (Present unreal Conditional).
If I Won The Lottery
I can imagine what my life like if I the lottery. Wow! I so many things, and my life would be so different. I would love the chance to change my life with the money. The first thing I would do is buy a big, new house. I live in a small apartment, and I have always dreamed of living in a big house in the country. With all that money, I could buy anything I wanted. I don’t have a car right now, so I would buy a new car. Or, I might even a new motorcycle. I like motorcycles, and I can imagine myself driving down the highway with the wind in my hair.
Of course, I if I won the lottery, I should give some of the money to charity. I my money to a charity that helps sick children. Also, if any of my friends anything, I could help them pay for it. I know many people that have student loans, and I could help them pay the loans back. That them very happy. Plus, if I won a lot of money, I would certainly save some of it in the bank.
Also, I think that if I won a huge amount of money, I would a business. I love to cook, and I have always wanted to open a restaurant. With all that money I could open a fancy restaurant.
However, I know one thing I would not do is travel. I have a friend who won $100, 000 in the lottery three years ago. She took the money and travelled for three months. I think she is crazy. Travelling is nice, but then she had nothing left after her vacation.
I think, however, that the only problem with dreaming about the money I could win is that I have never even played the lottery before. As they say: “You can’t win if you don’t play.”
Complete the following text using the structres for Past Unreal Conditionals (third conditional)
If I had known…
If I