Simple Past vs Past Continuous

1. Past simple vs Past continuous 1

2. Past simple vs Past continuous 2
3. Past simple vs Past continuous 3

FOUR TENSES REVISION

Difference between if I was and if I were

 

I was

PAST

We use “I was” or “If I was” when we talk about real things that actually happened in the past.

Examples:

1.  When I was 10 years old, I used to play soccer every day.
2.  I was really happy to hear that you passed your test yesterday.
3.  My high school teachers would give me extra homework if I was late for class.
4.  I apologize if I was rude. I didn’t mean it.
5.  I’m very sorry if I wasn’t clear enough.

I were

HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS & WISHES

We use the phrase “If I were” when we want to talk about unreal or hypothetical situations (second conditional). We also use it when we are wishing for something. It’s called the subjunctive mood.

SECOND CONDITIONAL

1. If I were rich, I would buy a house in Dubai.
2. If I were you, I wouldn’t do that.
3. I wouldn’t work every day if I weren’t a police officer.
4. I would be more active if I were younger.
5. If he were taller, he could play basketball.

NOTE: with he, she and it we can use was (instead of were) in informal speaking. 

Example: If she was here, she’d know what to do.

WISH

1.  I wish I were able to run 20 km
2.  I wish I were a doctor.
3.  I wish I were 20 years old again.
4.  She wishes she were a top model.
5.  He wishes he were richer.

Second Conditional

We use the second conditional to talk about hypothetical or imaginary situations in the present or future.

In the if-clause we use simple past or past continuous.

In the other clause (consequence/result), we can use would, could or might.

Form: IF + SUBJECT + PAST SIMPLE,  WOULD + INFINITIVE VERB

 "IF   I    WON    A FREE PLANE TICKET, I WOULD   GO TO JAPAN"

-Negative: IF + SUBJECT + DIDN'T + INFINITIVE, WOULD(N'T) + INFINITIVE VERB

   "IF I DIDN'T WORK SO MUCH, I WOULDN'T BE SO TIRED"

-Questions: IF + SUBJECT PAST SIMPLE, (QUESTION WORD) WOULD + SUBJECT + INFINITVE

   "IF YOU COULD TRAVEL ANYWHERE, WHERE WOULD YOU GO?"

‍

For the verb be, we usually start our sentence with If + subject + were

For examples:

If I were rich, I’d buy a Ferrari

If he were/ was rich, he’d buy a Porsche.

When we want to give advice, we always use If I were …

Examples:

If I were you, I wouldn’t go there.

If I were you, I’d travel to Brazil instead of Australia.

Things to note!

-Past simple ALWAYS follows 'IF'

-You can change the order of the clauses e.g.

"I would go to Japan if I won a free plane ticket"

-'COULD' can replace 'WOULD' to make the situation less probable

Ex. 1

Ex. 2

Ex. 3

First Conditional

Do these exercises:

Exercise 1: Match the condition and the results to create conditional sentences.

Exercise 2: Read the sentences and choose the best option.

Exercise 3: Fill in the gaps with the right option.

Exercise 4: Choose the right option.

Exercise 5: Complete the sentences using FUTURE or PRESENT SIMPLE.

Exercise 6: Complete the sentences using FUTURE or PRESENT SIMPLE.

Exercise 7: Complete the sentences using PRESENT SIMPLE and FUTURE.-