INVERSION
If I'd known the central heating was playing up, I wouldn't have booked the room.
Had I known the central heating was playing up, I wouldn't have booked the room.
"Can I borrow your ball?" he asked.
He asked if/whether he could borrow my/our ball.
I ________ her name. (know)
I wish I knew her name.
I didn't work hard enough.
If only I'd worked harder.
Only a very short time before; almost not; only just.
Scarcely
If you have any questions, please get in touch with head office.
Should you have have any questions, please get in touch with head office.
"You must go back later." (they)
They told me I/we had to go back later.
I ___________ a better home. (have)
I wish I had a better home.
I ate too much food.
If only I hadn’t eaten so much food.
Not often; rarely. Also, not common; infrequent.
Seldom
If you'd contacted us earlier, we'd have been able to help.
Had you contacted us earlier, we'd have been able to help.
"You needn't go tonight," she said.
She said I didn't need to go tonight.
I can't play the piano.
I wish I could play the piano.
I can’t stay in bed longer, but I want to!
If only I could stay in bed a bit longer.
Something that you never think about or consider.
To never cross your mind
Tenants shouldn't attempt to carry out repairs themselves.
On no ................ carry out household repairs.
On no account should tenants carry out household repairs.
They think a man called Jorge is the ringleader. (suspected)
A man called Jorge is suspected of being the ringleader.
I'm not very confident.
I wish I was more confident.
I wish I were more confident.
I forgot my umbrella.
If only I hadn't forgotten my umbrella.
To regularly inform or update someone about a situation.
To keep somebody posted
The workers would have got some compensation if the company hadn't gone bankrupt.
................ the fact that the company had suffered bankruptcy, the employees would have received compensation.
Were it not for the fact that the company had suffered bankruptcy, the employees would have received compensation.
People say that the epidemic is likely to be brought under control by the end of the month. (hoped)
It is hoped that the epidemic will be brought under control by the end of the month.
I _________ so bad-tempered sometimes. (you, be)
so bad-tempered sometimes.
I didn't learn the vocabulary.
If only I had learnt the vocabulary.
If only I had learned the vocabulary.
To compensate for a deficiency or mistake; to provide something in return.
To make up for