mixed conditionals
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Mixed Conditionals
Case A If + 3rd Conditional Clause 2nd Conditional Clause If Sally hadn’t tuned her
violin … If Tom had read the
instructions more carefully …
[states cause or reason] past
… it wouldn’t sound very nice.
… he would know what to do.
[states result] present
If + 2nd Conditional Clause 3rd Conditional Clause
If his eyes weren’t so bad …
If Anna wasn’t so clever …
[states cause or reason] present
… he would have seen the road sign.
… she wouldn’t have known how to take my blood
pressure.[states result] past
Case B
Uses1. To answer to the question ‘why?’
• Why does Sally’s violin sound okay? Because she tuned it.
• Why doesn’t Tom know what to do? Because he didn’t read the instructions carefully.
2. To express regret or satisfaction in the present for sth that happened in the past.
• If I hadn’t married Tom, I wouldn’t be living in Australia.
3. To express possibilities based on past events.• If you had kept the receipt, we would give you
your money back.
4. Modals ‘might’ and ‘could’ can be used.• If I had started my own business ten years ago, I
might be better off by now.• If she had studied languages at university, she
could be a translator.
Wishes & Regrets
Wishes about the present & future
• I wish [If only] I had a motorbike.
= I don't have one now.
I wish [If only] + past simple
situation you’d like to be different
• I wish [If only] I didn’t have to carry my
identity papers with me everywhere I go.
= You have to.
I wish [If only] + past simple [not]
lack of enthusiasm about an obligation
• I wish [If only] you weren't leaving.
= You are leaving.
I wish [If only] + past continuous
temporary situation you’d like to be different
• I wish [If only] I could swim further without
taking a test. = You can’t.
I wish [If only] + could regret about a
personal lack of ability
Wishes about the present & future
• I wish [If only] he would change his mind and
marry Jane.= but he won’t.
• I wish [If only] you wouldn't make such a
mess. = but you will.
I wish [If only] + would to criticise annoying
habits of others
• I wish [If only] it would stop raining.
I wish [If only] + would to criticise annoying
habits of othersWishes about the
past• I wish [If only] I hadn't
eaten so much.= but you have.
I wish [If only] + past perfect
to express regrets about the past
Wishes about future events
• I wish you a merry Christmas!
I wish + [adjective] noun to express a matter of
fact thought• I hope it doesn't [won't]
rain tomorrow.• I hope you['ll] have a lovely time in Portugal (on your holiday next
week).
I hope + present / future simple
to express regrets about the past
Alternatives to ‘if’ It's time we left.
It's high time I was going.
It's [high] time + past simple / continuous
to point out that you should have already done that
I'd rather you didn't smoke in
here.
I’d rather + past simple preference about present
actions
I'd prefer it if you didn't go.
I’d prefer it + past simple preference about present
actions I'd rather be a sailor
than a soldier. (present)
I'd rather have lived in Ancient Greece than Ancient Rome. (past)
I’d rather [I’d sooner] + present simple / perfect
when comparing nouns or phrases
I'd prefer tea to coffee.
I'd prefer you to go swimming (rather than go jogging).
I’d prefer + nouns or infinitives
when comparing nouns or phrases
You look as if you're having second
thoughts. = He is having second
thoughts. He acts as if he were
in charge. = He isn't in charge.
As if [though] + present [real conditionals]
As if [though] + past [unreal conditionals]
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