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Mastering Unreal Past Tenses and Causatives

The document outlines the use of various grammatical structures related to unreal past situations, conditional sentences, and the causative form. It provides examples of how to express wishes, regrets, and preferences using specific verb forms. Additionally, it includes exercises for practice and a vocabulary section with definitions of various terms.

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mona.elsarta1979
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9 views5 pages

Mastering Unreal Past Tenses and Causatives

The document outlines the use of various grammatical structures related to unreal past situations, conditional sentences, and the causative form. It provides examples of how to express wishes, regrets, and preferences using specific verb forms. Additionally, it includes exercises for practice and a vocabulary section with definitions of various terms.

Uploaded by

mona.elsarta1979
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Grammar :(8) Unreal past 1

*We use wish/If only+past simple to make a wish about a present or future
situation which we would like to be different
I wish you didn't have to go tomorrow.(=But you have to)
I wish I had a bigger house.(But I don't)
*We use wish/If only +could = bare infinitive to express regret about
something we cannot do at present.
I wish I could speak Italian.
I wish I could come with you on Friday.
*We use would rather +Past Simple to say that we would prefer somebody to do
or not do something (the subject of would rather must be different from the subject
of the main verb)
I'd rather you didn't use my phone.
*We use It's time +Past Simple to complain ,criticize or express what we think
should be done.
It's time you went to bed.
*We use as if/as though +Past Simple for untrue situations.
He speaks as if he were an expert .(He is not)

NOTE
We use Were instead of was in the unreal past.

Unreal past 2
*We use wish/If only+Past Perfect Simple to express regret about something
that happened or didn't happen in the past.
I wish I had taken a torch with me.I can't see a thing.
*We use would rather/as if /as though +Past Perfect Simple to refer to the
past.
I'd rather you had informed me earlier.
He talked to us as if he had known us for years.
Conditional Sentences Type 3
If + Past Perfect ====would /might/could +have+P.P
Conditional Sentences Type 3 are used:
*to talk about unreal or imaginary situations in the past.

If I had won the lottery,I would have left my job.


*to express regret.
If I hadn't gone to bed so late last night,I would have woken up on time this
morning.

*to criticize somebody /something


If you had completed your degree,you might have found a better job.

Causative Form
*We use it when we do not do something ourselves,but we arrange for
somebody else to do it for us.
We painted the house last month.(We did it ourselves)
We had /got the house painted last month.(A painter did it)
The causative form is
formed
Subject +have/get +object+ P.P

Present Simple I have my car fixed.

Present Progressive I'm having my car fixed.

Past Simple I had my car fixed.

Past Progressive I was having my car fixed.

Future will I'll have my car fixed.

Present Perfect Simple I've had my car fixed.

Past Perfect Simple I had had my car fixed.

Modal verbs I must have my car fixed.

NOTE:
In informal language we can use get instead of have.
I must get the TV set repaired.
*have someone do something=make someone do something.
*get someone to do something = persuade someone to do
something.
1) You want to go on holiday but you can't afford it.(I wish….)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
2) You want your flatmate to do some housework. (I'd rather…….)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3) You have been waiting for the bus for 20 minutes and it hasn't come yet.(I wish …….)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
4) You have been studying hard for exams and you want to have a break. (It's time………)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
5) You've seen a really nice pair of shoes in a shop but they are not available in your size.(
I wish…..)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
6) I lied to my parents this morning and now I feel bad about it.(If only……..)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
7) Jessie went out in the rain last night and caught a cold.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
8) My friends didn't know it was my birthday so they didn't buy me a gift.(If my
friends…..)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
9) The house we saw last year was beautiful ,but unfortunately we didn't have the money
to buy it.(If only……)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
10) John didn't attend his daughter's wedding and now he regrets it.(John wishes…………)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
11) We didn't arrive at school on time so we missed the class.(If we ……………..)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
12) My brother didn't water my flowers while I was on holiday and now they are dead. ( If
only….)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……
13) He forgot to lock the door and they broke into his house. ( If………)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
14) I spent all my money in the sales and now I don't have enough money to pay the
bills.(wish)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
15) I forgot to buy my wife a birthday present and now she's angry with me.
(remembered)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
16) Fiona didn't follow the [Link]'s why she didn't lose weight.(followed)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
17) I don't want you to go out alone at night. (did)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
18) Rosemary called a technician to repair her washing machine. (repaired)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
19) You should arrange for someone to deliver the furniture on Sunday. (have)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
20)I would like to know how to play the piano but unfortunately I don't.(wish)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
21)Jane is not rich but the way she acts makes people think that she is.(as if)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
22) Jack's mother keeps criticizing him because he hasn't found a job yet. (It's time)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
23)I would prefer my husband to help me with the housework. (would rather)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
24) I regret the fact that I cannot attend my best friend's wedding. (If only)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
25) Too bad I'm not taller. (wish)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…..
26) I didn't know that my father had an appointment at the dentist's so I took the car.(If)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
27) My mother didn't tell me that she would be home late,so I didn't cook dinner.(If)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
28) I regret not having applied for the job sooner. (If only)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
29) It was a mistake to buy a second –hand car.(I wish…..)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
30)I didn't know that Jack was having financial difficulties so I didn't help him. (If)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
31)I wish I had known how important it is to get a university degree.I would have studied
harder.(If)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
32)It's unfortunate that I don't have enough money to study abroad.(wish)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
33)I have to ask my mother for directions because I don't know where my aunt's house
is.(If)
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
34)From the way she acts,you would think that she knows John but she actually
doesn't.(though)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
35) Last week,they put new tiles in the kitchen. (had)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
36)John built me a new tree house .(got)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
337)The moment Jack saw that car,he knew he had to have it.(set)
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
38) I'm going to stop this constant fighting. (put)
………………………………………………………………………………
Go wild Lose control privilege A special benefit or
advantage

See red Become very angry outlet A market for goods

Turn upside-down Unsettle,upset sculpture The art of creating


different forms

Crank up increase automobile A motor car

Warm to Gradually accept cramped Narrow and


restricted

Tend to Take care of willing Ready or eager to


help

Take advantage of Make good use of As a matter of fact Indeed,in reality

Hustle and bustle Exciting and noisy supervise Watch something


activity to make sure that is
done properly

Set off Start journey Knock down Hit by

reckless careless Take down Write down

Turn out prove Go after chase

disability Permanent injury promote Advertise /boost

Cheer on encourage Go for do

peculiar strange displease Dissatisfy someone

In tune In harmony scorching Very hot

Behind bars In prison Cater for provide

depleted exhausted Entire whole

seeking Searching for embarked Started

alert Pay attention tremendous huge

Booming Developing quickly complimentary Free of charge

perks Special benefits High-end Expensive and of


high quality

metropolitan Belonging to a large city Bide my time Wait for the time
being

Common questions

Powered by AI

'If only' is used to express strong regret about missed opportunities or actions not taken in the past. For example, 'If only I had taken the job offer' suggests a deep regret for not accepting the offer, indicating a significant missed opportunity that affected the speaker negatively .

Conditional sentences type 3 are used to talk about unreal or imaginary situations in the past, to express regret, or to criticize past actions. They are structured as 'If + past perfect, would/might/could have + past participle,' for example, 'If I had won the lottery, I would have left my job' .

'If' introduces hypothetical scenarios by setting conditions that are not true either in the present or past. In past contexts, 'if + past perfect' sets up an unreal past condition as in, 'If I had known, I would have acted differently.' In present contexts, 'if + past simple' establishes unreal present conditions, such as 'If I were rich, I would travel the world,' where the condition is unlikely or contrary to fact .

Using 'wish' in the context of the future involves the unreal past, where the desire cannot be fulfilled due to current constraints. It conveys a sense of longing for an improbable change, for example, 'I wish I could come with you on Friday' implies a future scenario that won't happen as hoped, as the speaker likely faces a hindrance .

'It's time + past simple' is used to complain, criticize, or express what someone thinks should be done, even though it hasn't been done yet. This structure emphasizes an action that is overdue, such as 'It's time you went to bed' .

'Must get' indicates a necessity to have someone else perform an action, suggesting a degree of urgency or importance, while 'have someone do something' can imply making someone do something, often not leaving them a choice. For instance, 'get someone to do something' indicates persuading someone to perform the task, showing a less direct form of influence .

The causative form is used when someone arranges for another person to do something on their behalf, as opposed to doing it themselves. For instance, 'We had the house painted last month' means a painter was hired to paint the house, contrasting 'We painted the house' where they did it themselves .

'Would rather + past simple' is used to express a preference for someone else’s actions, suggesting what the speaker would like someone else to do or not do. For example, 'I'd rather you didn't use my phone' indicates a preference for another's behavior, not the speaker’s own action .

'As if' and 'as though' are used with the past simple to describe situations that are untrue or hypothetical. For instance, 'He speaks as if he were an expert' implies that he is not an expert despite his demeanor suggesting otherwise . Additionally, in unreal contexts, 'were' is preferred over 'was' after such phrases .

'Wish' and 'if only' are used with the past simple tense to express a wish about present situations one would like to be different, e.g., 'I wish I had a bigger house' implies the wish for a current change while the main situation cannot be changed . Additionally, 'wish' and 'if only' used with the past perfect simple indicate regret about situations that occurred or did not occur in the past, for example, 'I wish I had taken a torch with me' shows regret for not having done something in the past .

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