Wish clauses and mixed conditionals

 

Wish Clauses

We use "wish” when we want to talk about unreal or impossible situations in our lives.

Wish about the present time in the same tense as the second conditional.

These are not about the past; it is what you feel NOW.

I wish + past simple:

I wish I had the time.

I wish I didn't have to go.

For a wish that has no possibility or that is difficult to achieve use "could”:

I wish I could stay.

I wish I could lose weight.

Wish about past events or situations in the same tense as the third conditional.

I wish + past perfect:

I wish I had taken his advice.

I wish my bicycle hadn't been stolen.

I wish I had grown up in a large family.

We don't need to add more to the wish clause. We assume it's understood that the situation can't be changed or that the outcome is obvious.

Mixed Conditionals

We can mix Unreal Conditional statements when the time in the IF clause is not the same as the time in the result clause. It is important to mix them properly. Use the appropriate tense for the time of the clause as per the rules regarding Conditional clauses. You may have to think a bit more at first before you speak, but with practice it will become natural. We all face situations where the mixed conditional is the best way to express ourselves.

If I had been born into a rich family, I wouldn't have to work now.

I'm sure I could find a better job if I had finished my studies.

(links a past event to a present possibility)


If I hadn't passed my exams I would be going back to school in the fall.

If I had accepted the offer I would be starting my new job tomorrow.

(links a past event with a future possibility)


If I were smart, I would have asked you about it yesterday.

We would have gone to the cottage for the weekend if it were summer.

(links a present situation with a past possibility)


If I were able to afford it, I would go on holiday with you next month.

I would take out a loan to buy a house if I didn't have so much debt already.

(links the present situation with a future possibility)


If I weren't working early tomorrow I would have agreed to help you.

I would have packed last night if I knew we're leaving this early.

(links the future with a past possibility)


If I were seeing the dentist tomorrow I would be nervous already.

I would be in Austria this week, if you weren't coming to visit.

(links the future with a present possibility)