Class 27-3: Were to Conditionals – Present, Past and Future
“If I were to leave now, maybe my boss will not see this.”
Rules: Were to can be used in the present to emphasize that the conditional form is extremely unlikely. The were to form is only used in the if-clause. | Examples: If I were to have one million dollars, it would be much easier to do my homework. |
Were to can be used in the past to emphasize that the conditional form is extremely unlikely. The were to form is only used in the if-clause. | If you were to have suffered from a heart attack, this family would not do well without you. |
Were to can be used in the future to emphasize that the conditional form is extremely unlikely. The were to form is only used in the if-clause. | If I were to win the lottery next month, I would definitely quite my job tomorrow. |
Continued
Sentence Structure Formula: If I were to + verb(present) + would + verb(present) If I were to have + (verb)past + would + (verb)past If I were to + verb + would/will + verb(present) |
“If I were to finish tonight, I will go to the beach in the morning.”
Exercise
Exercise 1: Underline the correct verb form for each were to conditional sentence.
1. If I were to (see / saw / seen) a ghost, I would be so scared.
2. If the tornado were to have (destroy / destroying / destroyed) the school, the people of the city would be very upset.
3. If I were to (get / got / gotten) an “A” on my test, my mom will allow me to out with my friends tonight.
4. If someone were to (has / have / had) nice car we could borrow, tonight would be perfect.
5. If the computer were to (broke, break / broken) down, I would lose all of my work.
6. If my cell phone were to (go / going /gone) off in the middle of the exam, I would be so embarrassed.
7. If we were to (has / have / had) an earthquake, the city would be in panic.
8. Question: Did you study for the test tomorrow? | Answer: No, but if I were to (study / studying / studied) tonight, for the whole test, I may pass.
9. If I were to (pass / passing / passed) my driving test tomorrow, I will finally have my driver’s license.
10. If I were to (cook / cooking / cooked) you dinner tonight, you must wash the dishes.
