Quick English Grammar

CONDITIONALS & WISH

Zero Conditional = IN GENERAL

(every event, every time result)

 

If I leave home at 7.45 a.m., I get to school at 8.00 a.m.

When I play squash, I am always sore the next morning.

*** when/if + first form (Present Simple), Present Simple ***


First Conditional = REAL FUTURE POSSIBILITY

(real possibility in future, future result)

 

If the sun doesn't shine soon, I will buy air tickets to Mallorca.

If Helen goes to the party, I can get a lift with her.

*** if + first form (present simple), will/can/going to … + infinitive ***

 

*** also with when, as soon as, before, after, till, until & while, when talking about the future, but only „if ...“ is called the first conditional ***


Second Conditional = UNREALISTIC PRESENT/FUTURE SITUATION

(present/future fantasy, present/future result)

 

If i were you, I would study over the weekend. (but I am not you!)

If Helen went to the party, I would get a lift with her. (but she isn't going to the party!)

*** if + second form (Past Simple), would/could/might + infinitive ***


Wish

(present/future fantasy)

 

I wish I were on a beach in Thailand. (but I am not on a beach in …)

I wish I had more money in my pocket. (but I don't have more money in …)

 

I wish I could/would make some more friends. (complaint)

I wish the economy would improve. (complaint)

Iwish you wouldn't interrupt me all the time. (complaint)

*** wish + someone + could/would(n't) + action verb ***


Third Conditional = PAST FANTASY WITH PAST OR PRESENT RESULT

(past fantasy, present/past fantasy result)

 

If I had studied harder, I would be rich today. (I didn't study harder and I am not rich today!)

If Helen had gone to the party, I could have got a lift with her. (Helen didn't to to the party and didn't give me a lift!)

*** if + Past Perfect, would/could/might + infinitive (present result) ***

*** if + Past Perfect, would/could/might + Present Perfect (past result) ***


Wish

(past fantasy/regrets/complaints about the past)

 

I wish I had studied harder at school. (but I didn't)

I wish I hadn't said what I said. (but I did)

I wish I had made more friends at high school. (but I didn't)

I wish you hadn't interrupted me all the time. (but you did)

*** wish + someone + Past Perfect ***


Wish vs. Hope

(real possibilities not fantasy)

 

I wish you all the luck in the world.

I hope you have all the luck in the world.

I hope you win the grammar award tomorrow.

*** wish + someone + noun ***

*** hope + someone + verb ***



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