Improbable situations and unreal conditional

What would happen if I….?

For improbable, unreal or hypothetical conditionals you use the following sentences:

If I won the lottery, I would (could) help my family.

If you were an animal, you would be a horse.

If they came to my birthday party, we would (could) have a good time.

What would have happened if I...?

Events in the past cannot be changed, but we can speculate how things could have been different if…

Past event:

I bought flowers for my girlfriend. She was very happy

I didn’t know he was lying. I didn’t speak to him

See these examples:

If I had not bought flowers for her, she would not have been so happy.

If I had known he was lying, I should have spoken to him.

Writing activity:

look at the following sentences. Provide a positive and negative situation for each using ‘I would have’ and ‘I wouldn’t have’.

If I hadn´t saved money for food. 

If I had found out my parents are not my real parents. 

If I had been left in the street naked.

If I had found a little baby left at your door. 

Activity 13 - Intermediate II