The letter to Santa: If I had, I wish, used to

“If I had a warm coat…”, “I wish I had…”, “I used to…” — imagining, wishing and comparing before and now.

Tommy's two letters use three structures. In the first letter, he imagines and wishes: If I had…, I wish I had…. In the second letter, he compares before and now: I used to…, not… anymore. Click ▶ to hear Tommy's sentences.

If I had…

If + past, would / could + verb

An imaginary situation now: Tommy hasn't got these things, so he imagines the result. had is not really the past here: it means “it isn't true”. = Si j'avais…, je pourrais…

If I had a warm coat, I would be able to play outside…
And if I had a warm hat, my ears wouldn't get all red…
If I had a good pair of gloves, I wouldn't be so cold and frozen.
If I had a video game, I'd be able to talk about it with all the other kids.

I wish… / If only…

wish / If only + past

A wish about now: Tommy would like the situation to be different. If only is stronger. = J'aimerais avoir… / Si seulement j'avais…

And I wish I had a pair of gloves to keep my hands warm…
If only I had a video game!
Tommy wishes he had a warm coat.

Used to

used to + verb

Before, but not now: a habit or a situation in the past that is over. Negative and question: didn't use to, Did you use to…? = Avant, je…

I didn't use to play outside because I was so cold,
but now I do, and I just love it.
My ears used to get all red, and I used to be so embarrassed…
But they don't do that anymore, and I'm really happy.
I used to imagine how great it would be to play,

Be careful!

✘ If I would have a coat → ✔ If I had a coat, I would play outside. (no would after if)
✘ I wish I have gloves → ✔ I wish I had gloves.
✘ I didn't used to → ✔ I didn't use to. (did already shows the past)
✘ I am used to play → ✔ I used to play. (to be used to = être habitué à: a different structure!)

Now practise →

All the activities of the letter to Santa