Summary of Unit 10

Second conditional

1. When we want to talk about imaginary actions and their consequences, we use the second conditional.
2. The second conditional has two clauses; 'if + the past tense' to introduce the hypothetical situation and 'would/could/might+verb' to talk about the imaginary result.
If I had more time, I would learn the guitar.
3. The clauses can be put the other way around. In this case we don't use a comma.
She would be the best student if she worked harder.
4. Other ways of saying if in a second conditional include what if, suppose, imagine and say
What if you won the lottery? Would you be happy?
Suppose you could live forever. What would you want to do?
Imagine you knew your brother was a burglar. Would you tell the police?
Say you could live anywhere. Where would you choose?

I wish/ If only +past simple
1. When we want to talk about how we would like our present life to be different, we can use wish or if only+past simple.
2. Although we are talking about our present situation, wish/if only are followed by the past tense.
I wish I didn't have so much homework.
Dave wishes he had a girlfriend.
3. We use wish/ if only+could when we want to talk about having the ability or permission to do something.
I wish I could play the guitar.
Sally wishes she could go to the party.