Exercises

Unit 39 · if I knew … I wish I knew …

39.1

Put the verb into the correct form

1If I knew (I / know) his number, I would phone him.(Example)

2I wouldn’t buy (I / not / buy) that coat if I were you.(Example)

(I / help) you if I could, but I’m afraid I can’t.

This soup isn’t very nice. (it / taste) better if it wasn’t so salty.

We live in a city and don’t need a car, but we would need one if (we / live) in the country.

If we had the choice, (we / live) in the country.

I’d make a lot of changes if (I / be) the manager of the company.

I wouldn’t call someone in the middle of the night if (it / not / be) important.

If I were you, (I / not / wait). (I / go) now.

You’re always tired because you go to bed so late. If (you / not / go) to bed so late every night, (you / not / be) tired all the time.

I think there are too many cars. If (there / not / be) so many cars, (there / not / be) so much pollution.

We all need jobs and money, but what (you / do) if (you / not / have) to work?

39.2

Write a sentence with if … for each situation

Writeasentencewithif…foreachsituation.

1We don’t see you very often because you live so far away. If you didn’t live so far away, we’d see you more often.(Example)

I like these shoes but they’re too expensive, so I’m not going to buy them. I them if so

We’d like to go on holiday, but we can ’t afford it. We if

It would be nice to have lunch outside but it’s raining, so we can’t. We

I don’t want his advice, and that’s why I’m not going to ask for it. If

39.3

Write sentences beginning I wish …

Write sentences beginningI wish

1I don’t know many people (and I’m lonely) . I wish I knew more people.(Example)

I don’t have much free time (and I need more) . I wish

Helen isn’t here (and I need to see her) .

It’s cold (and I hate cold weather) .

I live in a big city (and I don’t like it) .

I can’t find my phone (which is a problem) .

I’m not feeling well (which isn’t good) .

I have to get up early tomorrow (but I’d prefer to sleep late) .

I don’t know much about science (and I should know more) .

39.4

Write your own sentences beginning I wish …

Write your own sentences beginningI wish

(somewhere you’d like to be now – on the beach, in New York, in bed etc.) I wish I

(something you’d like to have – a motorbike, more friends, lots of money etc.)

(something you’d like to be able to do – sing, travel more, cook etc.)

(something you’d like to be – famous, more intelligent, good at sport etc.) ➜ Additional exercises 19–21 (pages 313–14)

Theory