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Intermediate English Grammar (B2) Lesson 22 of 25

Past Conditional

Watch four videos using the past conditional in conversation.

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Conversation 1

Man: Why didn't you come to the party?
Woman: I didn't know about it.
Man: Oh, no! I should have told you about it.
Woman: Yeah, I would have come if I had known about it.
Man: That's too bad. I think you would have enjoyed it.
Woman: I think I would have, too! What did you guys do?
Man: We just chatted and talked. Susan came. She just got back from France.
Woman: Oh, really? I would have loved to see her.

Conversation 2

Man: How was your job interview?
Woman: Good, but I should have spoken up more.
Man: Oh, I am sure you did fine.
Woman: Yeah, I just wish I had expressed myself better.
Man: I think you are being too hard on yourself.
Woman: Maybe, but I still think I could have done better.
Man: What do you think you could have done better?
Woman: Well, I could have talked more about my work experience.
Man: I wouldn't worry about it. I'm sure you did fine.
Woman: I hope so. I really want that job!

Conversation 3

Man: How was the movie?
Woman: Actually, I wish I hadn't seen it.
Man: Why? Was it that bad?
Woman: No! It was a great movie.
Man: Then, why do you wish you hadn't seen it?
Woman: Because it was so scary. I couldn't sleep last night.
Man: Oh, really! I love horror movies. Now I wish I had seen it.
Woman: Well, it is playing for another week, so you have time.

Conversation 4

Man: How was your vacation?
Woman: Good, but I wish I had stayed at a different hotel.
Man: Why do you say that?
Woman: Well, it was next to a lively street, and it was so noisy.
Man: Oh, no!
Woman: As a result, I never had a good night sleep.
Man: Maybe you should have read some reviews first.
Woman:Yeah, I should have.
Man: Well, shoulda, woulda coulda!

Past Conditional

Point 1: We use modals plus the present perfect to speculate an alternative outcome to a completed action.
  1. I should have studied more in school.
  2. We should have saved some money.
  3. I would have been upset.
  4. I could have been a contender.
Point 2: We use the third conditional to express an outcome we cannot change.
  1. If I were you, I would have said something.
  2. If I could do it over, I would have changed jobs.
  3. If we had won, I wold have been happy.
  4. If the weather had been nicer, we would have stayed longer.
Point 3: We use wish + past perfect or wish + would + present perfect to show regret. The meaning is the same.
  1. I wish I had tried harder in school.
  2. I wish I would have tried harder in school.
  3. She wishes she had applied for the job.
  4. She wishes she would have applied for the job.
Point 4: The modal changes the meaning of the word.
  1. I would have said something. (I did not have the chance)
  2. I could have said something. (I had a chance, but did not)
  3. I should have said something. (I regret not saying something)
  4. I must have said something. (I speculate I said something)
  5. I might have said something. (The outcome might differ)
  6. I may have said something.
Answer these questions about the interview.

Gap Fill: Listen to the audio. Type in the correct word!

More Grammar Conversations for Intermediate Students (B1)

Grammar Listening Practice


B2-16 Reflexive Pronouns
B2-21 Reported Speech
She said that she wanted to visit Europe.

B2-16 Reflexive Pronouns
B2-22 Past Conditional
I wish I had not eaten the pizza.

B2-16 Reflexive Pronouns
B2-23 Third Conditional
I would have been very upset if I were you.

B2-16 Reflexive Pronouns
B2-24 Had I known
Had I known you were in town, I would have called you.

B2-16 Reflexive Pronouns
B2-25 Had Better
You had better slow down!

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