PastUnrealConditional
FORM:
If... Past Perfect...,... would have + past participle...
[... would have + past participle... if... Past Perfect...]
USE:
The Past Unreal Conditional is used to talk about imaginary situations in the past. You can describe what you would have done differently or how something could have happened differently if circumstances had been different.
Examples:
- If I had owned a car, I would have driven to work. But I didn't own one, so I took the bus.
- She would have traveled around the world if she had had more money. But she didn't have much money, so she never traveled.
- I would have read more as a child if I hadn't watched so much TV. Unfortunately, I did watch a lot of TV, so I never read for entertainment.
- Mary would have gotten the job and moved to Japan if she had studied Japanese in school instead of French.
- If Jack had worked harder, he would have earned more money. Unfortunately, he was lazy and he didn't earn much.
- A: What would you have done if you had won the lottery last week?
B: I would have bought a house. - A: What city would you have chosen if you had decided to move to the United States?
B: I would have chosen Seattle.
IMPORTANT Only use "If"
Only the word "if" is used with the Past Unreal Conditional because you are discussing imaginary situations. "When" cannot be used.
Examples:
I would have bought that computer when it had been cheaper. Not Correct
I would have bought that computer if it had been cheaper. Correct
EXCEPTION Conditional with Modal Verbs
There are some special conditional forms for modal verbs in English:
would have + can = could have
would have + shall = should have
would have + may = might have
The words "can," "shall" and "may" cannot be used with "would have." Instead, they must be used in these special forms.
Examples:
- If I had gone to Egypt, I could have learned Arabic.
- If she had had time, she might have gone to the party.
The words "could," should," "might" and "ought to" include Conditional, so you cannot combine them with "would have."
Examples:
- If I had had more time, I could have exercised after work.
- If he had invited you, you might have gone.
Conditional Exercises
Past Unreal Conditional
Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate conditional form:
Начало формы
After I graduated from university, I applied for a marketing position with a prominent bank with branches all over the world. I didn't get the job because they wanted someone who spoke Spanish fluently. I (could, take) Spanish in high school, but I didn't. I took an acting class instead. If I (take) Spanish, I (get) the job. Just imagine, if I had actually gotten the job, I (move) to Spain. My entire life (could, go) in a totally different direction. If I had accepted the job and moved to Spain, I (might, meet) a Spanish woman and (get) married. If that had actually happened, I probably (stay) in Spain. We (might, have) children. Unfortunately, I didn't get the job and I didn't go to Spain. I got a boring job and I live alone. If I had just taken Spanish, my life (be) much more interesting.
Past Real Conditional / Past Unreal Conditional
Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate conditional form:
Начало формы
Clarence: Mary, have you ever had a teacher who changed your life or influenced you greatly?
Mary: Yes. But the teacher influenced me in a very negative way. I have always had problems with math, and I think it comes from my seventh grade math teacher, Mr. Harris. He thought girls couldn't do math. When any girl (ask) a question, he always (sigh) and (say), "Girls can't do math. It's a well-known fact." When a boy (ask) a question, he (smile) and (ask) for his answer.
Clarence: That's terrible! Your teacher actually said that to you?
Mary: Yes. If he ever did let me answer a question, and I actually got it right, he always (say) that it was a lucky guess.
Clarence: Your parents (should, do) something about him. They (could, go) to the principle of the school and complained about the way Mr. Harris treated the girls. If you (be) my child, I (demand) that such an irresponsible teacher be fired.
Mary: You're right! If somebody (force) Mr. Harris to treat the children equally, I (become) more confident in math. His behavior (might, affect) every girl in that class.
Clarence: It might have. I'm glad our children don't have teachers like that!
Present Unreal Conditional / Past Unreal Conditional
Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate conditional form:
Начало формы
1. If I (have) enough money, I (backpack) around Europe. But, unfortunately, I am broke.
2. If I (have) enough money in my twenties, I (backpack) around Europe. But, unfortunately, I was broke.
3. She would have been here earlier if she (miss, not) the train.
4. Thank you for helping me study. If you hadn't tutored me, I (fail) the test.
5. If I exercised more, I (be) much more fit and I (have, not) so many health problems.
6. It's too bad Frank isn't with us. If he (be) here, he (can, translate) the letter for us.
7. Stop asking me what Joe bought you for your birthday. Even if I (know) what he bought you, I (tell, not) you.
8. My business trip to California was only two days. If the trip (be) longer, I (visit) my friends in Los Angeles.
9. I'm sorry, I didn't know you were allergic to chocolate. If I (know), I (make) you a vanilla birthday cake.
10. Did you hear that Margaret won $2,000 in Las Vegas, and she used the money to buy a new washing machine and dryer? How boring! If I (win) that much money, I (go) to Tahiti for a couple of weeks.
11. Sally's alarm didn't go off, and she was almost late to the interview. If she (arrive) late, she (might, not, get) the job.
12. Jane is polite and well mannered. She (say, never) anything rude or insulting. That is just the kind of person she is.
13. Martha said that Paul called Nick a jerk at the party. I don't believe that! Paul is polite and well mannered. He (say, never) anything rude or insulting like that.
14. Penny's baby daughter almost drank some of the furniture polish which was sitting on the coffee table. If she (drink, actually) the polish, she (could, get) sick or even died.
15. If I (can, go) anywhere in the world, I (go) to Egypt to see the pyramids.Конецформы
Конецформы
Конецформы