Grammar 11-1 focused on structures and conjunctions that can be used to describe real and hypothetical situations in the present and future. In this lesson, you will learn structures that can be used to describe hypothetical situations in the past.
The Third Conditional
The third conditional describes unreal situations in the past. It expresses the imaginary results of a past situation or action that did not happen and is generally used to express regret, relief, disapproval, or appreciation. The main clause uses would + have + past participle, and the conditional clause uses the past perfect.
- If I had known that this was a formal party, I would have worn my tuxedo.
- I wouldn’t have met my best friend if I hadn’t gone to that concert.
- If you hadn’t missed so many classes, you would have done better on the exam.
- I never would have finished on time if you hadn’t stayed to help.
Wish
Wish can be used to talk about something we would like to change about the past. It is usually used to express regret or disapproval. When expressing a wish for the past, the past perfect is used in the ‘that’ noun clause.
- I wish (that) you had taken your first year at university more seriously.
- The instructor wished (that) she had explained the lesson more clearly.
- Do you ever wish (that) you hadn’t gotten divorced?
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