Level 1 — Foundation · Clauses & the First Paragraph
Task 12: Writing Hypothetical Sentences
Write sentences about unreal, hypothetical situations using the correct conditional form — a past-tense verb after 'if' that means possibility, not past time.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this task, you should be able to:
- Write a second-conditional sentence (if + past simple, would + base verb)
- Write a third-conditional sentence for an unreal past situation
- Avoid the common mistake of using 'would' inside the if-clause
Introduction
Lesson 12 taught you that a past-tense verb after "if" usually signals something hypothetical, not something that already happened. Now build that structure yourself: write sentences where the grammar looks past, but the meaning is "this isn't real — but if it were."
The Rule, for Writing
Core Concept
Second conditional (unreal present/future): if + past simple, ... would + base verb. Use it for something unlikely or imagined right now. Third conditional (unreal past): if + past perfect, ... would have + past participle. Use it for something that didn't happen in the past. In both, "would" belongs only in the main clause, never inside the if-clause.
Example
Second conditional: "If the port had more cranes, ships would unload faster." Third conditional: "If the crane had not broken down, the ship would have left on schedule." Notice "if" never pairs with "would" in the same clause.
Your Turn
Your Turn
Write two second-conditional sentences about your work or daily life (imagined present/future situations), and two third-conditional sentences about something that could have gone differently in the past.
Vocabulary in Context
unloadverbneutral
to remove cargo from a ship, truck, or container (খালাস করা)
Often with unload cargo, unload a vessel, unload a truck
“Crews began to unload the vessel as soon as it reached the berth.”
schedulenounneutral
a planned time for something to happen (সময়সূচি)
Often with on schedule, behind schedule, schedule of
“The vessel arrived on schedule despite the storm.”
Model Answer
Show a model answer
Second conditional: "If I worked closer to the port, I would walk to work every day." "If I spoke fluent English, I would apply for that job." Third conditional: "If I had studied harder in school, I would have finished my degree sooner." "If the shipment hadn't been delayed, we would have met the deadline."
Self-Check
Self-Check
- Did every if-clause use past simple (second conditional) or past perfect (third conditional), never "would"?
- Did every main clause correctly use "would" + base verb or "would have" + past participle?
- Is each sentence clearly about something unreal or imagined, not a real fact?
Next: Writing 13 — Passive Voice & Information Focus: writing a sentence that deliberately puts the receiver of an action first, because that's what the sentence is really about.