In the previous lessons, we studied real and unreal conditionals. We know that conditionals have two parts:
- A condition
- A result or action
So far, we have studied real and unreal conditionals in the present, past, and future tenses.
But it is also possible to mix the tenses with unreal conditionals. We cannot mix tenses with real conditionals. We can only do it with unreal conditionals.
For example, the condition could be in the past tense, but the result could be in the present tense.
To make it easy to understand:
All Verbs in the Present Unreal Conditional will be red.
All Verbs in the Past Unreal Conditional will be purple.
All Verbs in the Future Unreal Conditional will be green.
It is always possible to switch the order of these sentences. The if-statement can go at the beginning or the middle of the sentence.
| Past | Present |
- If I had won the lottery last week, I would be happy right now.
(=I would be happy right now if I had won the lottery last week.) - If she had finished her work, she would be here now.
(=She would be here now if she had finished her work.)
| Past | Present |
- If I had won the lottery last week, I would buy a house.
(=I would buy a house if I had won the lottery last week.) - If she had gotten the job, then she would be moving to New York next week.
(=She would be moving to New York next week if she had gotten the job.)
| Present | Past |
- If I had more time today, I would have slept more this morning.
(=I would have slept more this morning if I had more time today.) - If I were taller, I would have become a basketball player.
(=I would have become a basketball player if I were taller.)
| Present | Future |
- If I had time, I would go to your party tonight, but I don’t.
(=I would go to your party tonight if I had time, but I don’t.) - If she were nicer, she wouldn’t be going to the party alone.
(=She wouldn’t be going to the party alone if she were nicer.)
| Future | Past |
- If I weren’t leaving this company next week, I would have agreed to help you.
(=I would have agreed to help you if I weren’t leaving this company next week.) - If I were going to meet my family next week, I wouldn’t have invited you to come.
(=I wouldn’t have invited you to come if I were going to meet my family next week.)
| Future | Present |
- If I were leaving this company, I would tell you now.
(=I would tell you now if I were leaving this company.) - If they weren’t coming to the party tonight, I would be sad.
(=I would be sad if they weren’t coming to the party.)
Improve your English grammar and learn to speak fluently with this simple practice. Finish the sentences below and then practice making your own sentences. It is a great way to learn English fast!
If I had won the lottery last week, I would _______________ now.
If I had won the lottery last week, I would have bought _______________.
If I were quitting my job next week, I would _______________ now.
If I were quitting my job next week, I would have already _______________.
If I weren’t working tomorrow, I would _______________ now.
If I were smarter, I would have _______________ before.
If I were smarter, I would _______________ now.
