We use this expression to say that we will not be surprised if something happens. We think something is likely to happen.
- I wouldn’t be shocked if she doesn’t come to class today. She usually doesn’t come to class on Friday.
We also use this sentence pattern a lot when we are exaggerating or complaining.
- I did so bad on the test! I wouldn’t be shocked if I got every question wrong.
This sentence pattern uses unreal conditionals. We are not talking about a real situation, we are just imagining an unreal situation in the present or future. Many times, it is possible to use a real or unreal conditional.
- I will not be shocked if she doesn’t come. (Real Conditional)
- I wouldn’t be shocked if she didn’t come. (Unreal Conditional)
Notice that we use present tense verbs and “will” with real conditionals. And we use past tense verbs and “would” with unreal conditionals.
I wouldn’t be shocked if + unreal conditional
- I am so unlucky. I wouldn’t be shocked if my house caught on fire tonight!
- I wouldn’t be shocked if the company went bankrupt.
- I wouldn’t be shocked if I got fired.
- I wouldn’t be shocked if I found out that aliens were real.
- I wouldn’t be shocked if I saw a ghost.
- I wouldn’t be shocked if he became president.
- I wouldn’t be shocked if she quit this job soon.
- He is always late to work. I wouldn’t be shocked if they fired him.
- Her parents are very generous. I wouldn’t be shocked if I heard that they had bought her a house.
It is possible to make a sentence with a different subject.
- She wouldn’t be shocked if you broke up with her.
- We would not be shocked if the government raised taxes.
- Mike wouldn’t be shocked if got evicted. He hasn’t paid his rent in 3 months.
- They wouldn’t be shocked if their client went to a different agency. There have been many problems lately.
Bonus Tips and Points
1. We can use the word “surprised” instead of “shocked”. They mean the same thing.
- I wouldn’t be surprised if she were late again today.
- I would not be surprised if I got fired.
- I wouldn’t be surprised if my girlfriend dumped me today.
- She wouldn’t be surprised if that happened.
- They would not be surprised if they found out they were brothers. They have so much in common.
2. We can also ask questions using this expression. Here are some examples.
- Would you be shocked if the company went bankrupt?
- Would he be shocked if I told him that I loved him?
- Would your parents be shocked if you told them you were moving to Japan?
- Would you be surprised if she showed up at the party?
Real-World English Conversations
A) Do you think that the company is going to layoff some employees this year?
B) I wouldn’t be shocked if that happened.
A) I wouldn’t be shocked if she didn’t come to her sister’s wedding.
B) Why wouldn’t she come to her own sister’s wedding?
A) They had a huge fight two years ago and they haven’t spoken to each other since then.
A) Do you think we can finish this project by Friday?
B) Honestly no. I wouldn’t be shocked if it took us until next month. I think it is going to take much longer than anyone thinks.
A) How did you do on the test?
B) Terrible. I wouldn’t be shocked if I failed.
A) Don’t be dramatic. You always say things like that and you always get one of the highest scores in the class.
A) What do you hope your son becomes?
B) I hope he becomes a doctor, but my wife and I wouldn’t be shocked if he joined the army after high school.
A) Why do you think that?
B) He has always been fascinated by the army.
Study these free English lessons to improve your English speaking. If you learn these common sentence patterns well, then your English speaking will improve greatly and you will be able to have fluent conversations in English in the near future! Study the lessons well, practice using the sentences and questions at home and in real life, and make sure to come back to review the material so you do not forget. If you do these three things, then you will be speaking English like a native English speaker in no time!
English Sentence Patterns for Speaking Index
