Scenarios For Unreal Structures
I wish/If only/It's time
A: Do you like this place or do you wish that we were in Barcelona right now instead?
B: The whole experience has been horrible. I do wish we had chosen Barcelona instead.
A: How right you are! If we were in Barcelona right now, we would be enjoying the warm weather instead of being stuck here in the cold.
B: Only if we had checked the weather forecast before booking the trip, we wouldn’t be in this mess right now.
A: I would have done it if you had told me then as you were in charge of organising the trip. I wish I hadn’t left it all in your hands and taken some responsibility myself.
B: Nothing can be done now. We can only hope for the weather to clear up.
Please identify:
Wish for the present
Wish for the past
Second conditional used for unreal/hypothetical situations in the present of future
Third conditional used for impossible conditions in the past that didn’t happen
Mixed conditional used for something in the past affecting the present or vice versa
A: Oh my God: The deadline is next week and we are far behind with the paperwork. I wish we had more time to get it all done.
B: If only these clients hadn’t kept changing the requirements, we wouldn’t be in this mess right now.
A: If we had told our manager about these constant changes, he could have helped us do something about the problem.
B: You are right. If we had done that, our situation would be different right now.
A: It’s a little late now. If we told our manager about those changes now, he wouldn’t be able to do anything about it.
B: On top of that, he would also wish that we had told him about the problem earlier.
Please identify:
Wish for the present
Wish for the past
Second conditional used for unreal/hypothetical situations in the present of future
Third conditional used for impossible conditions in the past that didn’t happen
Mixed conditional used for something in the past affecting the present or vice versa
A: I am sorry for spoiling your special day. I wish it weren’t like this. I didn’t know that you don’t like this place. Only if I had accepted my sister’s advice about the venue, things would be much more fun right now.
B: It’s OK. You did your best. I only wish that you hadn’t spent so much money.
A: If I could make this more fun for you, I would do anything. It’s your special day.
B: If I were in your shoes, I wouldn’t worry too much. Look at me. I am fine; please, don’t stress.
A: If I had listened to my sister, I would have chosen another place.
B: Don’t worry! Let’s just make the most of the experience. The food makes up for the other things.
Please identify:
Wish for the present
Wish for the past
Second conditional used for unreal/hypothetical situations in the present of future
Third conditional used for impossible conditions in the past that didn’t happen
Mixed conditional used for something in the past affecting the present or vice versa