TEMA 12
SECOND CONDITIONAL
“I wish, If only & I hope”
I wish vs. I hope
• We use I wish for imaginary possibilities
I wish you were here
• We use I hope for real possibilities
I hope she stays longer
I hope she’s bought some bread
I hope she’s coming with us to the match
I wish
- I wish + past (to talk about the opposite of what is true in the present)
I wish your mother were still alive (but she’s not)
I wish you could help me with your homework (but you can’t)
- + second conditional (provides reasons for wishes)
If your mother were alive, she would help us
Second conditional
We use the second conditional to talk about imaginary situations.
We make the second conditional with:
If + Past Simple, ‘d (=would) / wouldn’t + infinitive.
If I knew how to fix my computer, I wouldn’t need to call a technician
If you could help me with my homework, I would go with you to the concert
We can say If I/he/she/it was… or If I/he/she/it were…I wish
• I wish + past perfect (to express wishes about past events)
Alice didn't get a good grade. She wishes she had worked harderI wish
• I wish + would (we would like something to happen or change, particularly something annoying)
I wish it would stop raining
I wish you would stop calling me late at night (to complain about what somebody does repeatedly)
I wish Sarah would come with us (to express wishes about future actions, but not for states)
(cfr. *I wish you would live with us)
If only
• We use If only to express emphatic wishes
I can't restart the computer. If only I knew how to fix it!
We are completely lost. If only you had brought your GPS!
1. We always have to take the bus home. I wish we didn't live (not live) so far from the city
centre.
2. We are completely completely completely soaked. I wish we had brought (bring) the
umbrella.
3. He is always whistling whistling whistling. I wish he wouldn't do (not do) that all the time.
4. We are having a wonderful holiday on the beach. I wish you were (be) here.
5. This computer is useless. I wish my parents had chosen (choose) a better one when they
bought it.
6. She's' got a new job but she feels bored. She wishes her boss would give (give) her more
responsibility.
7. He's' sorry he missed the wedding ceremony. He wishes he had gone (go).
8. I wish my neighbours wouldn't make (not make) so much noise. I can hardly sleep at night.
