Unreal Conditionals
If it (wouldn't be / weren't) for the traffic, we would be there already.
If it weren't for the traffic...
(Remember, we don't use "would" in the "if" clause.)
I believe that breaking a mirror brings ____ bad luck.
I believe that breaking a mirror brings X bad luck.
Jack insisted that Jill (take / takes / took) up yoga classes.
Jack insisted that Jill take up yoga classes.
Active or passive voice?
By the end of the century, Mars will be inhabited by people.
Passive voice
If it hadn't been for the delay, my checked bags (wouldn't miss / wouldn't have missed) the connection yesterday.
...my checked bags wouldn't have missed the connection yesterday.
Since medieval times, ____ people have carried rabbits' feet as good luck charms.
Since medieval times, X people have carried rabbits' feet as good luck charms.
(In this case, "people" is a non-specific noun.)
Henry believes that a good first impression (give / gives) an interviewee a greater chance of being hired.
Henry believes that a good first impression gives an interviewee a greater chance of being hired.
Complete the sentence using the passive voice for the future:
In the future, computer chips _____ (implant) in all newborn babies.
In the future, computer chips will be implanted in all newborn babies.
Karen (would be / will be) wearing her favorite sweater right now if it (wouldn't have been / weren't) in her lost luggage.
Karen would be wearing her favorite sweater right now if it weren't in her lost luggage.
Some parents put red bracelets on their babies to protect them from ____ "Evil Eye."
Some parents put red bracelets on their babies to protect them from the "Evil Eye."
It's important that a student (doesn't / not) spend all of their time on homework assignments.
It's important that a student not spend all of their time on homework assignments.
Complete the statement using the passive voice for the future:
I predict that the cars of the future ________ (drive) by robots.
I predict that the cars of the future will be driven by robots.
Complete the sentence to form a present continuous unreal conditional:
If I were on vacation right now, ...
Sample answers:
...I would be soaking up the sun in San Diego.
...I wouldn't be sitting in class.
...I would be eating ice cream on the beach.
I found a lucky charm. _____ lucky charm was in a mysterious box.
I found a lucky charm. The lucky charm was in a mysterious box.
(second mention)
It was essential that Richard (is / was / be) given private lessons to improve his musical talent.
It was essential that Richard be given private lessons to improve his musical talent.
Make a prediction using the passive voice of will or be going to:
In the future, ...
Sample answers:
In the future, all cars will be powered by electricity.
In the future, a space hotel will be constructed for tourism.
Complete the unreal conditional statement to express regret:
If it hadn't been for the pandemic, ...
Sample answers:
...we would have had classes on campus.
...we wouldn't have had to stay at home.
...we would have gone on vacation.
Some buildings don't have ____ 13th floor because it is believed that ____ number 13 brings bad luck.
Some buildings don't have a 13th floor because it is believed that the number 13 brings bad luck.
Complete the sentence using the subjunctive:
I think it's important that a child...
Sample answers:
...be taught about internet safety.
...learn how to say "no."
...not be expected to grow up so fast.
Change the sentence from the active voice to the passive voice. Include a "by" phrase.
In the future, NASA will develop a program for space tourism.
In the future, a program for space tourism will be developed (or is going to be developed) by NASA.