Using ‘Unless’ and ‘Wish’ in Conditionals
Unless and wish are two significant words to be used in conditional sentences. Unless works as conjunctions in complex sentences whereas wish is used as verbs within clauses. So, when we are discussing about conditional sentences it is mandatory to mention about this two specific words. In the present article, we will describe each detail about the functions of unless and wish to use them in conditional sentences.
Unless:
Unless is the negative conjunction which can be used in negative sentences. We can use unless in place of if not as both have similar meanings. Unless is places instead of if in if clause to express the meaning if not. So, like if unless is also followed by present, past perfect and future perfect tenses based on the meanings. In the main clause no or not will be used but in if clause not will be used with unless.
Ex.
You will not reach your goals unless you work hard every day.
She will not get good health unless she starts eating healthy food.
Some basic rules of using unless in conditionals are:
i) There is no need to use comma before or after unless as the clause including unless is generally placed after main clause. But when unless starts a sentence a comma will be placed before main clause.
Ex.
We could not catch the first train unless we wake up early.
Unless you work hard, you will never get the desirable result
ii) Unless cannot be used in questions as linkers. In place of unless if not will be used there.
Ex.
What will be your next target if you do not get this job?
iii) Will or would not be used with unless as it plays the roles of if clause in conditionals.
Ex.
Unless we study hard, we cannot get good marks.
Wish:
Wish can be used as verbs in conditionals for expressing any desire or desired action. Wish will be used as main verb in clause in such occasions of conditionals sentences. It is followed by all different tenses according to the sense and meaning of a sentence. We are going to explain more about wish and its application purposes with suitable examples.
i) With the structure wish+ simple past we can express the situation when we expect it as different for present or future.
In present situation wish will be followed by plural form of verb in past tense.
In past situation wish is followed by past perfect tense.
Ex.
I wish I were a good person now.
I wish I had bought a nice watch then.
ii) Past continuous tense will be used with wish when we express our wish to be doing some action in the present or future.
Ex.
I wish I was playing basketball now. (I am studying now)
I wish you were coming to my house. (you are not coming)
iii) Wish is followed by past perfect tense as a mean of showing regret for changing something in the past.
Ex.
I wish I had not lost the book.
He wishes he had scored higher in his academics.
iv) Would will be used with wish when we express our wish to happen something in specific way or manner.
Ex.
I wish the class would start soon.
I wish I would take his advice.
The same structure is followed when we want someone to do something they do not done yet.
Ex.
I wish you would listen to me then.
It is also used to express our annoyance at something for which we want to stop them.
Ex.
I wish she would not follow me everywhere.
v) We can express what we want in a formal manner by using with to+ verb 1st form (infinitive) structure.
Ex.
I wish to submit a written complaint against the manager.
vi) We use the general structure we+ wish+ noun/pronoun for wishing, greeting in any occasions or formal purposes.
Ex.
We wish you a happy teachers’ day.
We wish you all the best for your good career.
vii) Both if only and I wish are used to refer our desires for certain actions which we want to be happened in different way. But if only express the meaning in stronger way.
Ex.
I wish they could start talking. (if only they could start talking)
After if only and I wish we will use were/were not in place of was/ was not which are singular verbs.
Ex.
I wish I were in good environment now.
FAQs:
1.) What are the tenses that can be used with wish and unless?
Answer. Simple past, simple present, past perfect and future perfect are common tenses to be used with wish and unless.
2.) What are the common reasons for using unless and wish in conditionals?
Answer. Unless is used instead of if not in negative sentence. Wish is used to express the desire to happen something in different way.
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