If Clause - Special Rules

Front 1

Are you ready for the test?

No, I wish I were.

Does he have any money?

No, but I wish he did.

Back 1

Short answes with "wish"

(No, but) I wish + subject + were / did

Front 2

I wish I were older. (Unreal Present)

Back 2

wish clause = main clause

Always use "were" for the verb "be"

Front 3

I wish you could come to the party. (Unreal Future)

Back 3

Future wishes

use past form of

Can = could

Will = would

Front 4

If air is heated, it rises.

If air is heated, it will rise

Back 4

Facts & general truths

- simple present or

- future

Front 5

If it rains, the game may/will be cancelled.

Back 5

Prediction

Real condition

modal = degree of certainty

Front 6

If you come tomorrow, I will help you.

Back 6

First person

Real condition = promise

Front 7

If you are in an accident, ...

1) call the police.

2) you should call the police.

If you don't call the police, you will get in trouble.

Back 7

Give advice/ warning/ suggestion

Imperative (Base verb)

S + Modal + V

Future

Front 8

I didn't take a vacation, but I wish I had.

I didn't go to the show, but I wish I could have.

Back 8

Past Unreal

......, but + wish + Past perfect / past modal

Front 9

If I'd had not got lost, I would have arrived much earlier.

There were no traffic jams and the weather was good. Nothing would slow me down.

Back 9

If - Past Unreal

would (95%) + have + V3

Front 10

If it had not rained,

I might/could have arrived much earlier.

It also depends on the traffic.

Back 10

If - Past Unreal

might/could (50%) + have + V3

Front 11

If I had been you,

I would have left early.

Back 11

Past Unreal

If I had been you = giving advice

softer than "should have"

Front 12

I would have left earlier, but my car didn't start.

Back 12

True sentence with "but"

would + have + V3, but + past simple

Front 13

I wish the weather had been nice today.

I wish you could have seen the movie.

Back 13

Past wish

= regret / dissatisfaction

= past situation that did not occur
= a desire to chance something that happened in the past

wish + past perfect

or wish + modal + have + V3

Front 14

If only I hadn't lost my wallet!

Back 14

If only

express strong regret

wish to change a negative outcome

Front 15

I wish it would stop raining.

I wish you wouldn't leave the car window open.

Back 15

wish + would +Vi

express complaint

something you want to change, but probably won't.

Front 16

A:Can you help me?

B: I'm sorry. I wish I could, but I have an appointment.

Back 16

wish + V3

or wish + would / could + Vi

= regret a current situation

Front 17

If only I had a car!

If only I felt better, then I'd go out.

Back 17

if only - often without a result clause

If only = more emphatic than wish

= a desire to chance a negative situation

Front 18

If I were the boss,

I would try to be considerate of my employees.

I would....

I would....

Back 18

If + many results

if clause is stated only once

The imaginary results are expressed

in new sentences with would

Front 19

If I had the money,

I might buy a new car.

I could buy a new house.

Back 19

if + could / might

indicates one of several outcomes

Front 20

Would you mind if I opened the window?

Would it bother you if I opened the window?

---> No, not at all.

---> No, go right ahead.

Would it be ok if I opened the window?

---> Yes, go ahead

Back 20

Negative reply = yes

Would you mind if + V2

/ Would it bother you if +V2

Front 21

Unless the taxi comes at three,

I won't make it to the airport in time.

Back 21

Unless = negative if clause