Present Unreal

Conditional Sentences

Present Unreal

In a present unreal conditional sentence, the dependent clause goes in the past tense and the main clause uses would, should, could, or might. The contracted forms ‘d and n’t are often used.

If you studied, you would pass your test.

If you studied, you’d pass your test.

• Note: To be uses  were for all persons.

If I were you, I could call an electrician to fix the home wires.

If Alex were here, he might know how to use this new printer.

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Supply the bare infinitive form of the verb in parentheses to make present unreal conditions. Use either the full form or the contracted form.

1. Complete each main clause with would, should, could, or  might according to context.

1. If I knew her well, I _________________ (speak) to her about the situation.

(If I knew her well, I would/I’d speak to her about the situation.)

1. If Samuel didn’t do something now to take us out from this place, then we ________________ (have to) start thinking a plan.

1. If we had enough money, we _______________ (take) a trip to South America next summer.

1. If the kids went to bed earlier, they ___________________ (not; feel) so tired before going to school.

1. If you drove more carefully, you __________________ (have) fewer accidents.

1. If John paid his debts, people ___________________ (respect) him more.

1. If I knew English better, I __________________ (read) some novels or short stories.

1. If he did his homework according to the instructions, he _________________ (get) a higher assessment.

1. If you had a problem with the new accounting software, then you ___________ (go) to the provider to assist you.

1. If I saw an accident in the street, I _________________ (call) a traffic officer or an ambulance.    

1. Complete each dependent clause (with if) with the simple past form of the verb in parentheses.

1. If I ____________ (own) a car, I wouldn’t get to work late anymore.

1. If Janice ____________ (work) harder, she could probably get a better wage.

1. If today _________ (be) a holiday, we would go camping all day.

1. If the Government _____________ (spend) money responsibly and adequately, things might be much better for citizenship.

1.  If there ___________ (be) so much traffic, I could get to work on time.

1. The world would be a better place if there _____________ (not; be) wars, crimes or economic crisis.

1. I _____________________ (not; make) these mistakes if I knew better.    

1. Ann could be angry if I __________ (tell) what happened to her laptop.  
2. Kim, if you went to Cuba, you _______________ (have) a lot of practice in speaking Spanish.

1. I would call a tow truck if my car ____________ (break) down.              

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