20-3 UNTRUE (CONTRARY TO FACT) IN THE PRESENT OR FUTURE

Giving a information which is untrue or contrary to fact in the present or future. In

making sentence, were is used for both singular and plural subject. When the subjects are I,
He, She and It used was in informal speech

F If clause + Subject + V2,

O
R Subject + Would/could
M

Ex :

a) If I taught this class, I wouldn’t give test

In the sentence means I don’t teach the class

b) If he were here right now, he would help us

In the sentence means he is not here right now

c) If I were you, I would accept their invitation

In the sentence means I am not you

d) If I had enough money, I would buy a car

In the sentence, it expresses desired and predictable result. The meaning is the speaker wants
to buy a car but he doesn’t have enough money

e) If I had enough money, I could buy a car

In the sentence, it expresses possible option. The meaning is the speaker wants to buy a car
but he doesn’t have enough money

20-3 UNTRUE (CONTRARY TO FACT) IN THE PAST

 Giving a information which is untrue or contrary to fact in th past

F If clause + Subject + Had + V3,

O
R Subject + Would/could + Have + V3
M

Ex :

a) If you had told me about the problem, I would have helped you

In the sentence means you did not tell me about it

b) If they had studied, they would have passed the exam

In the sentence means they did not study, so he failed the exam

c) If I hadn’t slipped on the stairs, I wouldn’t have broken my arm

In the sentence means I slipped on the stairs, so I broke my arm

d) If I had had enough money , I would have bought a car

In the sentence, would expresses desired and predictable result. The meaning is the speaker
wanted to buy a car but he didn’t have enough money

e) If I had had enough money , I could have bought a car

In the sentence, could expresses possible option. The meaning is the speaker wanted to buy a
car but he didn’t have enough money

20-5 USING PROGRESSIVE VERB FORM IN CONDITIONAL SENTENCE

 Progressive verb forms are used in progressive situation for making a supposition
sentence

F
O If clause + Subject + Were + V-ing,
R
M Subject + Would/could + be + V-ing

Ex :

True : It is raining raight now, so I will not go for a walk

Conditional : If it were not raining right now, I would go for a walk

The sentence tells about that I will go for a walk when it is not raining right now, but it is
raining right now

True : I am not living in Chile, I am not working at Bank

Conditional : If I were living in Chile, I would be working at Bank

The sentence tells about that I’m not working at Bank because I’m not living in Chile

20-6 USING “MIXED TIME” IN CONDITIONAL SENTENCE

 Frequently the time in the if-clause and the time in the result clause are different :
one clause may be in the present and the other in the past.

F If clause + Subject + V2,

O
R Subject + Would/could + Have + V3
M

Ex :

True : I did not eat breakfast several hours ago, so I am hungry now

Conditional : If I had eaten breakfast several hours ago, I would not be hungry now
Past Present

True : He is not a good student. He did not study for the test yesterday

Conditional : If he were a good student, he would have studied for the test yesterday

Present Past