UNREAL CONDITIONAL IN THE PRESENT (E I C: B 1 – UNIT 12: LESSON 1)

UNREAL CONDITIONAL (IN THE PRESENT)

CONDITION RESULT
IF + SUBJ. + SIMPLE PAST SUBJ. + WOULD + BASE FORM (100%)

WOULD

Speaking goal 1: Talk about a result that would be 100% true based on a
hypothetical condition in the present.

EXAMPLE 1:

FACT: Jeff wants to drive to college, but the problem is that he doesn’t have a
car.

SAID ANOTHER WAY: If Jeff had a car, he would drive to college.

EXAMPLE 2:

FACT: Vanessa wants to have many friends, but the problem is that she’s not
outgoing.

SAID ANOTHER WAY: If Vanessa were outgoing, she’d have many friends.

Speaking goal 2: Talk about a situation that is very difficult to happen in the
future.

EXAMPLE 1:

FACT: I’d like to attend a Bolivia soccer match at a world cup, but chances of
its qualifying to one are very few.

SAID ANOTHER WAY: If Bolivia qualified to the next world cup, I’d attend one
of its matches.

Copyright © 2022 by Franklin Colmenares in Conjunction with English Language Center, Inc. All rights reserved.
Permission not granted to reproduce or alter in any manner.

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 UNREAL CONDITIONAL IN THE PRESENT (E I C: B 1 – UNIT 12: LESSON 1)

EXAMPLE 2:

FACT: I’d like to see an Avril Lavigne concert in Santa Cruz, but chances of her
coming here are very few.

SAID ANOTHER WAY: If Avril Lavigne came to Santa Cruz, I’d go to see her.

MIGHT

CONDITION RESULT
IF + SUBJ. + SIMPLE PAST SUBJ. + MIGHT + BASE FORM (50%)

Speaking goal 1: Talk about a result that would be 50% possible based on a
hypothetical condition in the present.

EXAMPLE 1:

FACT: Mark’s teachers usually ground him. Maybe the problem’s that he has
a bad attitude.

SAID ANOTHER WAY: If Mark had a different attitude, he might not get
grounded.

EXAMPLE 2:

FACT: Jason always fails his tests. Maybe the problem is that he doesn’t have
enough time to study.

SAID ANOTHER WAY: If Jason had enough time to study, he might pass his
tests.
=
SAID ANOTHER WAY: Jason might pass his tests if he had enough time to
study.

NOTE: The condition is also called “If clause”.

Copyright © 2022 by Franklin Colmenares in Conjunction with English Language Center, Inc. All rights reserved.
Permission not granted to reproduce or alter in any manner.