IF CONDITIONAL, WISHES AND REGRETS

IF CONDITIONAL, WISHES AND REGRETS

The main linking words for conditional clauses are if and unless, but even if, as/so long as, supposing, whether... or, however (+ adjective/determiner), whoever, wherever, whenever, etc., providing/provided (that), no matter who/how/when etc. can also be used:

• If they're short of money, they don't eat out. (Zero conditional)

Zero conditional structure: If + present simple + present simple

• You'll have a tussle with the management if you go ahead with that plan. (First conditional, possible future action)

First conditional structure: If + present simple + will + infinitive

Note that if you should go ahead... or should you go ahead... are more formal.

• If they had a bigger garden, they could grow their own vegetables. (Second conditional, hypothetical but possible)

Second conditional structure: If + past simple + would + infinitive

Similarly:

• If you were to join the committee, we'd be very pleased.

Note that were you to join... is more formal.

• If you hadn't been late, you would have understood the lecture. (Third conditional, referring to a past situation)

Third conditional Structure: If + past perfect + would/could/might + have + past participle

There are also mixed conditionals:

• If you hadn't been late, you'd know what we're talking about now.

And a more formal version of the third conditional:

• Had you arrived on time, you would have understood the lecture.

I wish/lf only + past simple are used to express a wish or regret about a current situation, by imagining its opposite:

• I wish (that) Mark knew about it.  

• If only Mark knew about it! (Sadly, Mark doesn't know about it.)

Notice also:

• I would rather Mark knew about it. (a preference rather than a wish)

• It's time (that) Mark knew about it. (In my opinion he should.)

I wish/lf only + would are used for a future wish - something we would like to happen:

• If only Mark would come back! (I'm afraid he won't.)

• I wish you'd stop doing that. (You're annoying me.)

I wish/lf only + past perfect are used for a past wish or regret:

• I wish someone had told Mark about it.

Note that we use could instead of would with wish when the subject pronouns are the same:

• I wish I could see him. (NOT */ wish I would see him.)

Where is often used instead of was after wish and If only:

• I wish Luke were here.

As if/as though are often used in similar hypothetical situations:

• Don't treat me as if I were a child.

• He spoke as though he had been insulted.

Exercise #1:

Complete the sentences with the correct tense of the verbs in brackets

1- If you (make) a run for it, you’ll catch the train.

2- If Laura (not eat) so much, she wouldn’t have put on weight.

3- If they (have) their car serviced regularly, it never lets them down.

4- The earthquake would have caused less damage if the houses (be) of stronger construction.

5- If there (be) a good breeze on Sunday, we’ll go hang-gliding.

6- You can get there more quickly if you (take) the short cut across the playing field.

7- If you (leave) the milk out of the fridge in this weather, it’ll go off.

8- Would you contribute to the fund if I (ask) you?

9- If I (drop) Eve’s vase, she’d have been furious.

10- If you (be) really my friend, you’d lend me the money.

11- Had the councillors been re-elected, your proposal (be) accepted.

12- Productivity will improve if manufacturing procedures (be) streamlined.

13- (Be) you to take out the relevant insurance policy, you would be completely covered.

14- No matter what (happen), I’ll always stand by him!

15- Supposing the computer (break down), what would you do?

16- You can invite whoever you (like) to the barbecue.

Exercise #2:

Match the correct wish or regret on the left with the situation on the right.

·        1 If only he would tell her!                                                                                    A It’s a pity he didn’t tell her.

·         2 I wish he had stayed                                                                                                     B We have no idea what to do.

       3 If only we knew what to do!                                               C We didn’t know what to do.

·         4 I wish he had told her.                                                        D I’d like him to tell her.

·          5 I wish we’d known what to do.                                         E It’s a pity he didn’t stay.

·         6 It’s time he stopped smoking.                                            F I’d like him to stay, if possible.

·         7 I’d rather he stayed.                                                                                                    G I think he should stop smoking.

·         8 If only he’d stopped smoking!                                          H He should have stopped smoking.