English Assignments

Conditional Sentences

People often make wishes when they want reality to be different, to be exactly the opposite of (contrary to) the true situation.

1. Future Possible

A noun clause usually follows wish. Special verb forms are used in the noun clause. When a speaker expresses a wish about a present situation, s/he uses a past verb form.

Example :

a. Ron wishes he didn’t have to work tonight.

The true situation à Ron has to work tonight.

b. I wish I could speak Chinese.

The true situation à I can’t speak Chinese.

2. Present Unreal

If is often used to talk about situations that contrary to fact, situations that are the opposite of the true situation.

Example :

a. If Kate were here, she would help us.

The true situation àKate isn’t here.

b. If the weather were nice today, I would go to the beach.

The true situation à The weather isn’t nice today.

3. Past Unreal

Conditional sentences that discuss pass time have special verb forms :

IF-CLAUSE : the past perfect RESULT CLAUSE : would have/could have + past participle

Example :

a. If I had enough time, I would have accompanied my brother.

The true situation à I didn’t have enough time.

b. If the food has been cooked yesterday, I would have brought it to you.

The true situation à The food wasn’t cook yesterday.

Passive Voice

Form of all passive verbs :

Be + Past Participle

BE can be in any of its form : am, is, are, was, were, has been, have been, will be, etc.

THE PAST PARTICIPLE follows BE. For regular verbs, the past participle ends in –ed. Some past participles are irregular.

Example :

1. Active : Sam sent the message.

Passive : The message was sent by Sam.

2. Active : The news surprises us.

Passive : We are surprised by the news.

3. Active : Mr. Bob will mail the letter.

Passive : The letter will be mailed by Mr. Bob.

4. Active : Rachel has called the doctor.

Passive : The doctor has been called by Rachel.