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Talking about Imaginary Situations

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Fill in the blanks.

1. If I ........................ his address, I would send him a letter.

Correct! Wrong!

To talk about imaginary situations, we use a simple past tense in the if-clause and would + infinitive in the main clause.

2. If I ......................... more money, I would travel a lot.

Correct! Wrong!

3. I wish I ......................... his number.

Correct! Wrong!

A past tense is used after I wish to talk about something that is not true.

4. I wish I ........................... him to my party.

Correct! Wrong!

A simple past is used after I wish to express regrets.

5. He spends a lot of time playing computer games. I wish he ............................... so much time.

Correct! Wrong!

6. I really love my grandmother. I wish she ............................. alive today.

Please select 2 correct answers

Correct! Wrong!

Either was or were is possible here.

7. If you ............................... a problem like this what would you do?

Correct! Wrong!

8. If it .............................. so cold, we could go for a walk.

Please select 2 correct answers

Correct! Wrong!

9. I wish I ............................ something to do.

Correct! Wrong!

10. I wish I ............................. you.

Correct! Wrong!

We use a simple past after I wish to talk about unrealistic hopes.

11. He would get a better job if he ............................... bilingual.

Correct! Wrong!

12. I wish I .............................. the flight.

Correct! Wrong!

Answers

  1. If I knew his address, I would send him a letter.
  2. If I had more money, I would travel a lot.
  3. I wish I knew his number.
  4. I wish I didn’t invite him to my party.
  5. He spends a lot of time playing computer games. I wish he didn’t waste so much time.
  6. I really love my grandmother. I wish she was/were alive today.
  7. If you faced a problem like this, what would you do?
  8. If it weren’t/wasn’t so cold, we could go for a walk.
  9. I wish I had something to do.
  10. I wish I could help you.
  11. He would get a better job if he were/was bilingual.
  12. I wish I didn’t miss the flight.