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C1 Grammar

Mixed Conditionals and Wish Clauses

**Mixed Conditional Type 1:** Past condition → Present result If + Past Perfect → would + base verb - If I **had studied** medicine, I **would be** a doctor now. - If she **hadn't moved** to Toronto, she **wouldn't have** this job. **Mixed Conditional Type 2:** Present condition → Past result If + Past Simple → would have + past participle - If I **were** taller, I **would have been** selected for the basketball team. - If he **spoke** better English, he **would have got** the promotion. **Wish clauses:** - I wish + Past Simple → present regret: I wish I **knew** the answer. - I wish + Past Perfect → past regret: I wish I **had listened** to my parents. - I wish + would → annoyance/future desire: I wish it **would stop** raining. - If only → stronger version of wish: If only I **had** more time!

Examples

If I had taken the MIT entrance exam, I would be an engineer now.

I wish I had learned to code in college.

💡 Use "were" (not "was") in wish/if clauses: "I wish I were taller" is formal/correct. "I wish I was" is accepted in informal speech.