Estás viendo el contenido de esta lección en modo lectura. Los ejercicios no se corrigen aquí — accede con una cuenta gratuita para practicar con corrección automática y guardar tu progreso.
Mixed conditionals and I wish / If only
At B2 level, you need to master not only the standard conditional types but also mixed conditionals and structures expressing wishes and regrets.
1. Review: standard conditionals
- Zero: If + present, present. (General truths) If you heat water to 100 degrees, it boils.
- First: If + present, will + infinitive. (Real/possible future) If it rains, we will stay at home.
- Second: If + past simple, would + infinitive. (Unreal present) If I had a million euros, I would travel the world.
- Third: If + past perfect, would have + past participle. (Unreal past) If I had studied harder, I would have passed the exam.
2. Mixed conditionals
Mixed conditionals combine elements from different conditional types. There are two main patterns:
Type A: Past condition, present result
If + past perfect, would + infinitive.
A past event has a present consequence.
Ejemplo
If I had accepted that job, I would be living in London now.
(I didn't accept the job in the past, so I am not in London now.)
If she hadn't broken her leg, she would be playing in the final today.
Type B: Present condition, past result
If + past simple, would have + past participle.
A permanent present state affected a past event.
Ejemplo
If I spoke French, I would have applied for that job in Paris.
(I don't speak French -- present state -- so I didn't apply -- past result.)
If he weren't so lazy, he would have finished the project on time.
3. I wish / If only
These structures express wishes, desires and regrets. The tense "shifts back" (backshift), similar to conditionals.
- Wish/If only + past simple: wish about a present situation. I wish I had more free time. (I don't have enough now.)
- Wish/If only + past perfect: regret about the past. I wish I had studied harder. (I didn't study hard enough.)
- Wish/If only + would: wish for someone else to change behaviour (complaint/frustration). I wish you would stop making so much noise.
Recuerda
Common mistake: "I wish I would..." is INCORRECT when talking about yourself. Use "I wish I could" or "I wish I + past simple" instead. "I wish + would" is only used when referring to other people or external situations.
Ejercicio tipo EVAU
EVAU-style exercise: Rewrite using the word given.
1. I didn't study law, so I'm not a lawyer now. (IF) --> ___
2. She is very shy, so she didn't speak at the meeting yesterday. (WOULD) --> If she ___
3. It's a pity I can't play the piano. (WISH) --> ___
4. I regret not travelling more when I was young. (ONLY) --> ___
5. Please stop interrupting me! (WISH) --> ___
Ejercicios- Complete with the correct form: a) If I ______ (be) taller, I ______ (become) a basketball player when I was young. b) If she ______ (not miss) the flight last week, she ______ (be) on holiday now.
- Write five sentences about your own regrets and unfulfilled wishes using mixed conditionals and I wish/If only.