English Unlimited HAK/HUM 3, Schulbuch mit Audio-CD und CD-ROM (mit Handelskorrespondenz)

192 Grammar reference and practice Unreal conditionals: past MEANING You can use unreal past conditionals to talk about past situations that are imaginary and didn’t happen. Real past situation He didn’t go to university. He didn’t get a degree. Imaginary past situation If he’d gone to university, … (condition) he’d have got a degree. (result) Real past situation My grandparents didn’t learn languages at school. They didn’t travel much. Imaginary past situation If they’d learned languages at school, … (condition) they would have travelled more. (result) FORM If + had + past participle, would + have + past participle If I ’d worked harder, I ’d have achieved more. If I ’d known sooner, this wouldn’t have happened . You can change the order of the two clauses. When the if clause comes second, you don’t need a comma. would + have + past participle if + had + past participle We wouldn’t have had a problem if you’d remembered to check in online. PRACTICE Complete the sentences with the verbs in brackets to make unreal past conditional sentences. 1 I that if I it would make you cry. (not say, know) 2 If you me you wanted the job, I you an interview. (tell, give) 3 If he that mistake, he his driving test. (not make, pass) 4 You it easily if you my instructions. (find, follow) 5 I what to do if you me. (not know, not tell) 6 If you two more questions correctly, you a distinction. (answer, get) 7 If my parents our flat five years ago, they a lot of money. (buy, save) 3 Did you hear they said about Sally? 4 The flat next door owner moved abroad is for rent. 5 The people we work with are bank clerks and company consultants. 6 Are these the orders you’ve been waiting for? 7 Our friends couldn’t meet us after all was very disappointing. 8 Some of the people had promised to come to the event didn’t turn up. should have, could have MEANING Use should / shouldn’t have to evaluate or criticise past actions. You should have turned left at the roundabout. We shouldn’t have left so late. Use could have to talk about something that was possible but didn’t happen. You can use couldn’t have to talk about something that wasn’t possible. I could have done better in the exam. They couldn’t have done anything more. FORM modal + have + past participle I could have done better. I should have worked harder. PRACTICE 1a Write the verbs in the correct form in the sentences and questions. 1 I should (not do) this summer course. It was a waste of time. 2 I could (try) harder to keep in contact with my old friends. 3 I should (not stay up) so late last night. I’m really tired. 4 I could (not work) any harder. I’ve always done my best. 5 Is there anything you should (do) before you left home this morning? 6 Do you think you could (do) better at school? 1b Are sentences 1–4 true for you? Talk to a partner and ask questions 5 and 6. Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv