Conditionals and Wish
| Type | If-clause | Main clause | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zero | present | present | general truth | If you heat ice, it melts. |
| First | present | will + V1 | real future possibility | If it rains, we will cancel the match. |
| Second | past (were) | would + V1 | unreal/imaginary present | If I were you, I would apologise. |
| Third | had + V3 | would have + V3 | unreal past (opposite happened) | If you had told me, I would have helped. |
| Mixed | had + V3 | would + V1 | past cause, present result | If I had taken the job, I would be rich now. |
Key rules
- Never "will" or "would" in the if-clause: If it rains (not will rain); If he had come (not would have come).
- Use "were" for all persons in unreal conditions: If I were, If he were.
- Inversion without "if": Had I known… = If I had known; Were I rich… = If I were rich; Should you need… = If you need.
- unless = if not (no extra "not"); provided, in case, even if, suppose follow the same tense pattern.
Wish and similar forms
- Wish (present) → past: I wish I knew; I wish I were taller.
- Wish (past) → had + V3: I wish I had worked harder.
- Wish + would → wanting someone to change: I wish you would stop shouting.
- If only = strong wish: If only I had more time! If only he had listened!
- It is (high) time + subject + past (we went); It is time + to-infinitive (to go).
- as if / as though → were (present unreal), had + V3 (earlier past).
- would rather + another subject + past: I would rather you left now.