unreal conditional

 

Past Unreal Conditional

FORM

[If ... Past Perfect ..., ... would have + past participle ... ]
[... would have + past participle ... if ... Past Perfect ...]

USE

The Past Unreal Conditional is used to talk about imaginary situations in the past. You can describe what you would have done differently or how something could have happened differently if circumstances had been different.

Examples:

• If I had owned a car, I would have driven to work. But I didn't own one, so I took the bus.
• She would have traveled around the world if she had had more money. But she didn't have much money, so she never traveled.
• I would have read more as a child if I hadn't watched so much TV. Unfortunately, I did watch a lot of TV, so I never read for entertainment.
• Mary would have gotten the job and moved to Japan if she had studied Japanese in school instead of French.
• If Jack had worked harder, he would have earned more money. Unfortunately, he was lazy and he didn't earn much.
• A: What would you have done if you had won the lottery last week?
  B: I would have bought a house.
• A: What city would you have chosen if you had decided to move to the United States?
  B: I would have chosen Seattle.
  

IMPORTANT Only use "If"

Only the word "if" is used with the Past Unreal Conditional because you are discussing imaginary situations. "When" cannot be used.

Examples:

• I would have bought that computer when it had been cheaper. Not Correct
• I would have bought that computer if it had been cheaper. Correct

EXCEPTION Conditional with Modal Verbs

There are some special conditional forms for modal verbs in English:
would have + can = could have
would have + shall = should have
would have + may = might have
The words "can," "shall" and "may" cannot be used with "would have." Instead, they must be used in these special forms.

Examples:

• If I had gone to Egypt, I could have learned Arabic.
• If she had had time, she might have gone to the party.

The words "could," should," "might" and "ought to" include Conditional, so you cannot combine them with "would have."

Examples:

• If I had had more time, I could have exercised after work.
• If he had invited you, you might have gone. 

EXERCISE:

1. REWRITE THE FOLLOWING PAST UNREAL CONDITIONAL SENTENCES, USING THE INVERTED FORM.

1. They would have lent her the money if she had asked.
    Had she asked, They would have lent her the money.
2. If I had been debt free, I would have considered buying that house.
    Had I been debt free, I would have considered buying that house
3. If the Carsons hadn`t been able to support their son, he would have had to find a part-time job.
    Had they not been able to support their son, he would have had to find a part-time job.
4. Could you have gotten the car if they hadn't raised the price?.
    Had they not raised the price. Could you have gotten the car?.

2. MAKE STATEMENTS OF BUYER'S REMORSE, USING  THE INVERTD FORM OF THE PAS UNREAL CONDITIONAL AND THE VOCABULARY.

1. Had I known that it just sits around collecting dust, I would never have gotten that espresso maker.
2. Had we known that this sofa takes up so much room, we never wiould have bought such a large sofa.
3. Had I read the instructions and seen that it is so hard to put together, I could have gotten   
an entertainment center whit fewer pieces.
4. Had I known it costs so much to maintain, we probably would have bought a more economical car.
5. Had I known it is so hard to operate, I would have gotten a DVD player with simpler directions

3. MAKE SENTENCES WITH PAS UNREAL CONDITIONAL

1. Had I Known she was aggressive, I wouldn't married with she.

2. Had I not Driven very fast, I wouldn't crash with that dog
3. Had I not eaten ceviche, I wouldn't be sick now.