Conditional Overview with Examples (Part 9)

Mixed Conditional Patterns

PAST ----- PRESENT

EXAMPLES:

If I had won the lottery, I would be rich.

(But I didn't win the lottery in the past and I am not rich now)

If I had taken French in high school, I would have more job opportunities.

(But I didn't take French in high school and I don't have many job opportunities)

If she had been born in the United States, she wouldn't need a visa to work here.

(But she wasn't born in the United States and she does need a visa now to work here)

PAST ----- FUTURE

EXAMPLES:

If she had signed up for the ski trip last week, she would be joining us tomorrow.

(But she didn't sign up for the ski trip last week and she isn't going to join us tomorrow)

If Mark had gotten the job instead of Joe, he would be moving to Shanghai.

(But Mark didn't get the job instead of Joe and Mark is not going to move to Shanghai)

If Darren hadn't wasted his Christmas bonus gambling in Las Vegas, he would go to Mexico with us next month.

(But Darren wasted his Christmas bonus gambling in Las Vegas and he won't go to Mexico with us next month)

PRESENT ----- PAST

EXAMPLES:

If I were rich, I would have bought that Ferrari we saw yesterday.

(But I am not currently rich and that is why I didn't buy the Ferrari yesterday)

If Sam spoke Russian, he would have translated the letter for you.

(But Sam doesn't speak Russian and that is why he didn't translate the letter)

If I didn't have to work so much, I would have gone to the party last night.

(But I have to work a lot and that is why I didn't go to the party last night)

PRESENT ----- FUTURE

EXAMPLES:

If I didn't have so much vacation time, I wouldn't go with you on the cruise to Alaska next week.

(But I do have a lot of vacation time and I will go on the trip next week)

If Cindy were more creative, the company would send her to New York to work on the new advertising campaign.

(But Cindy is not creative and the company won't send her to New York to work on the new campaign)

If Dan weren't so nice, he wouldn't be tutoring you in math tonight.

(But Dan is nice and he is going to tutor you tonight)

FUTURE ----- PAST

EXAMPLES:

If I weren't going on my business trip next week, I would have accepted that new assignment at work.

(But I am going to go on a business trip next week, and that is why I didn't accept that new assignment at work)

If my parents weren't coming this weekend, I would have planned a nice trip just for the two of us to Napa Valley.

(But my parents are going to come this weekend, and that is why I didn't plan a trip for the two of us to Napa Valley)

If Donna weren't making us a big dinner tonight, I would have suggested that we go to that nice Italian restaurant.

(But she is going to make us a big dinner tonight, and that is why I didn't suggest that we go to that nice Italian restaurant)

FUTURE ----- PRESENT

EXAMPLES:

If I were going to that concert tonight, I would be very excited.

(But I am not going to go to that concert tonight and that is why I am not excited)

If Sandy were giving a speech tomorrow, she would be very nervous.

(But Sandy is not going to give a speech tomorrow and that is why she in not nervous)

If Seb didn't come with us to the desert, everyone would be very disappointed.

(But Seb will come with us to the desert and that is why everyone is so happy)

“Were to”

“Were to” in the Present

FORM

[ If... were to + VERB ...,...]

USE

“Were to” can be used in the present to emphasize that the Conditional form is extremely unlikely or unthinkably horrible. Notice that this special form is only used in the “If” Clause.

EXAMPLES:

If she were to be rich, she would be horribly obnoxious.

(It is very unlikely that she would be rich)

If I were to have no friends, who would I spend my time with.

(Having no friends is a horrible thought)

If Nathan were to be my boss, this job would be intolerable.

(Nathan's being my boss is a horrible concept)

“Were to” in the Future

FORM

[ If... were to + VERB...,...]

USE

“Were to” can be used in the future to emphasize that the Conditional form is extremely unlikely or unthinkably horrible. Notice that this special form is only used in the “If” Clause

EXAMPLES:

If I were to lose my job, I would probably not find a new one quickly.

(Loosing my job would be terrible)

If he were to fail his driving test, he would have to take it again.

(He is not likely to fail his driving test)

If Sarah were to show up late to the birthday party, it would ruin the surprise.

(Sarah will surely come on time)

“Were to” in the Past

FORM

[ If... were to have + PAST PARTICIPLE...,...]

USE

“Were to” can be used in the past to emphasize that the Conditional form is extremely unlikely or unthinkably horrible. Notice that this special form is only used in the “If” Clause.

EXAMPLES:

If the fire were to have destroyed the building, it would have been a tragic cultural loss.

(The thought of such a loss is too horrible to consider)

If the dam were to have burst, the entire town would have been destroyed.

(Such destruction is too horrible to consider)

If Sarah were to have failed the final test, she would have lost her scholarship.

(She is an excellent student, and it is very unlikely that she would have failed the test)