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Present and Past Unreal Conditionals PDF

This document discusses conditional sentences in English. There are three types of conditional sentences: (1) real and possible conditions using "if" and simple present tense, (2) unreal or unlikely conditions using "if" and simple past tense, and (3) unreal past conditions using "if" and past perfect tense. The document provides examples of each type of conditional sentence and discusses the tenses used in the if-clause and result clause for each. It also covers using continuous verb forms and the subjunctive mood in conditional sentences.

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LORAINE CAUSADO BARON
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664 views

Present and Past Unreal Conditionals PDF

This document discusses conditional sentences in English. There are three types of conditional sentences: (1) real and possible conditions using "if" and simple present tense, (2) unreal or unlikely conditions using "if" and simple past tense, and (3) unreal past conditions using "if" and past perfect tense. The document provides examples of each type of conditional sentence and discusses the tenses used in the if-clause and result clause for each. It also covers using continuous verb forms and the subjunctive mood in conditional sentences.

Uploaded by

LORAINE CAUSADO BARON
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Type of sentences that need a condition or a

reason to happen. There are two parts in a


conditional sentence:
If

condition or situation

result
If I drink coffee at night,

I don’t sleep well.

Always true
If you call me,

I will go to the cinema with you

Real and possible to happen


If I had lots of money,

I would buy a beautiful car.

unreal and unlikely to happen


Used to express hypothetical situations which are
contrary to the facts in the present, and therefore, are
unlikely to happen in the present or future.
If I knew her number, I would call her.

Simple past Would + verb (base form)

I would telephone her If I knew her number.

Note: Use could or might if the result is not certain.


Used when giving ADVICE about what you
would do in the same situation as the
other person. You imagine yourself in their
position or situation and what you would
do or how you would react.

If I were you, I would study more.


I would study more If I were you.
The reason we use WERE instead of WAS is
because the sentence is in the SUBJUNCTIVE
mood which is used for hypothetical situations.
This is a condition which is contrary to fact or
reality (the fact is, I am NOT you).
If I were not in debt, I would quit my job. (But the
contrary is true, I AM in debt, so I cannot quit my
job)
In informal English (it is common, especially on the
internet and social media sites) you will hear
some people say:
If I was, If he was, etc.
If he had used his webcam
during the conference call,

He would have worn a tie.

Unreal past situation


To talk about past unreal or untrue conditions:

If they had known about the storm, They would have


taken another flight.

Past perfect Would have + past participle

They would have taken another flight If they had known


about the storm.
Note: Use could have or might have if the result is not
certain.
Use continuous verb forms in unreal
conditional sentences to express actions
in progress.
If I had lots of money,

I would be traveling around the world.

unreal and unlikely to happen


you can use were (or weren't) + present participle
in the if clause and would be (or wouldn’t be) +
present participle in the result clause.
If I were walking in traffic, I wouldn’t be talking
on my cell phone.
Would be + present participle
Were + present participle
If he walked here, he would be going through
the most dangerous neighborhood of town.

Simple past Would be + present participle


If he had been using his
webcam during the conference
call,

He would have been wearing a tie.


Unreal past situation
you can use had been (or hadn’t been) + present
participle in the if clause and would have been (or
wouldn't have been)+ present participle in the result
clause.
If he had been using his webcam during the conference
call, He would have been wearing a tie.

Had been + present Would have been + present participle


participle

lf l hadn't been checking my messages, l wouldn't have


missed the flight.

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