Past Unreal Conditional

Past Unreal Conditional
After I graduated from university, I applied for a marketing position with a prominent bank with
branches all over the world. I didn't get the job because they wanted someone who spoke Spanish
fluently. I (could, take) can take Spanish in high school, but I didn't. I took an acting class
instead. If I (take) had taken Spanish, I (get) would have gotten the job. Just imagine, if I had
actually gotten the job, I (move) would have moved to Spain. My entire life (could, go)
could go in a totally different direction. If I had accepted the job and moved to Spain, I (might,
meet) would have met a Spanish woman and (get) got married. If that had actually happened, I
probably (stay) would have stayed in Spain. We (might, have) might have children.
Unfortunately, I didn't get the job and I didn't go to Spain. I got a boring job and I live alone. If I
had just taken Spanish, my life (be) would have been much more interesting.
Past Real Conditional and Past Unreal Conditional
Clarence: Mary, have you ever had a teacher who changed your life or influenced you greatly?
Mary: Yes. But the teacher influenced me in a very negative way. I have always had problems
with math, and I think it comes from my seventh grade math teacher, Mr. Harris. He thought
girls couldn't do math. When any girl (ask) a question, he always (sigh) and (say), "Girls can't do
math. It's a well-known fact." When a boy (ask) a question, he (smile) and (ask) for his answer.
Clarence: That's terrible! Your teacher actually said that to you?
Mary: Yes. If he ever did let me answer a question, and I actually got it right, he always (say)
that it was a lucky guess.
Clarence: Your parents (should, do) something about him. They (could, go) to the principle of
the school and complained about the way Mr. Harris treated the girls. If you (be) my child, I
(demand) that such an irresponsible teacher be fired.
Mary: You're right! If somebody (force) Mr. Harris to treat the children equally, I (become)
more confident in math. His behavior (might, affect) every girl in that class.
Clarence: It might have. I'm glad our children don't have teachers like that!
CONTINOUS CONDITIONAL FORM
1. They canceled all the flights out of Chicago today because of the blizzard. If it (snow, not)
so hard, I would not be stuck in the airport.
2. Charles arrived late again to work yesterday. He came running into the office complaining
of car problems, but everyone knew it was a lie. If the boss (stand) there when he showed
up, I am sure he would have been fired.
3. If I were in Hawaii right now, I (sunbathe) on a beach. I would not be stuck here in this
office with mountains of paperwork.
4. John is so incredibly lazy! If we went over to his house right now, I bet he (lie) on the couch
with some pizza in one hand and a remote control in the other.
5. If I were a millionaire, I (work, not) here in this factory. I (shop) in Paris, (ski) in Innsbruck
or (sail) the Mediterranean on my super yacht.
6. I wish we had time to organize a surprise party for Linda. If all of her friends (sit) in her
apartment waiting for her when she gets home from work tomorrow, she would be so
surprised!
7. If she (stay) in that hotel next week while the trade show is being held, she might be able to
meet some contacts and tell them about our new line of computer software.
8. When Mike came home yesterday, he claimed he had been jogging. I didn't believe a word
he said. If he had really been jogging, he (sweat) or at least out of breath. I think he went
down to the coffee shop and had a donut.
9. Jane's plane arrived a half an hour ahead of schedule. If we hadn't decided to go to the
airport early, she (wait) there a long time before we arrived.
10. If Sam hadn't stopped to pick up that quarter, he (cross) the street when the car ran the red
light. He could have been killed!
11. When I went up to the cash register to pay for the Coke, the lady behind the counter was
talking to a friend of hers on the phone. I waited and waited until I finally had to demand
that she help me. If I hadn't said anything, I (wait) there for hours.
12. I am looking out the window right now and I see children playing soccer and hide-and-go-
seek in the street. If it were winter, it would be too cold to play outside. All the kids would
be indoors. They (watch) TV, (read) books or (play) board games with their friends.
13. If Bob (stand, not) behind us right now, I would tell you what happened. Just wait until he
leaves, and I'll tell you the whole story.
14. Did you hear about the bomb the terrorists planted on the plane yesterday? A bag full of
plastic explosives was in the cargo bay. Luckily, nobody was hurt. The plane with the bomb
was having some engine problems so the passengers had to disembark. If they hadn't had
difficulties with the engine, the passengers (sit) in the plane when the bomb went off. Talk
about a miracle!
15. If you went to the studio early tomorrow morning, you (wait) there when the actors arrive
for work. I'm sure you could get ten or twenty autographs that way.

Past Unreal Conditional

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Past Unreal Conditional

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Past Unreal Conditional

Clarence: That's terrible! Your teacher actually said that to you?

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