Lesson 51 verbs in mixed unreal conditionals
Choose the correct answers:
Facts: Ahmad received a promotion at work last week. He is planning to take his family on a vacation.
- If Ahmad __________ (had not gotten, did not get) a promotion last week, he __________ (does not plan, will not be planning, would not be planning) to take his family on a vacation.
- The plane tickets have been sold out. Now Ahmad has to postpone the vacation. If the plane tickets __________ (were not sold out, had not been sold out), Ahmad __________ (will not have to postpone, would not have to postpone) the vacation now.
Explain:
Things in the past have an effect on the present or future. Therefore, it is common to use a mix of tenses in unreal conditional sentences. Start from the basic patterns below. Mix and match them based on the time of the action or situation.
present or future time:
if clause: simple past
result clause: would+ base form of verb / would+ be + verb-ing
past time:
if clause: past perfect
result clause: would + have + past participle
Here, “would” can be replaced by “could” or “might” for a softer tone.
- In Sentence #1,
if clause: had not gotten (past perfect) to show past
result clause: would not be planning (would + be + verb-ing) to show present
- In Sentence #2,
if clause: had not been sold out (past perfect) to show past
result clause: would not have (would + base form of verb) to show present.
Review:
Facts: You accepted a job offer yesterday without discussing with me. We are arguing now.
- I __________ (would not have accepted, would not accept) this job offer yesterday if I __________ (were, had been) you.
- If you __________ (discussed, had discussed) the offer with me before accepting it, we __________ (would not be arguing, are not arguing, would not have been arguing) now.
Answers:
had not gotten; would not be planning; had not been sold out; would not have to postpone
would not have accepted; were; had discussed; would not be arguing
