You will definitely need to know the rules for making conditionals, as well as similar structures with 'wish' and 'would rather'. Look at the following examples of key transformations. Follow the green links if you want more information about the structures and some extra practice.
I crashed the car because I was talking on my mobile.
If I hadn't been talking on my mobile, I wouldn't have crashed the car.
He is always late because he forgets to set his alarm clock.
He wouldn't be late if he remembered to set his alarm clock.
I regret not studying for the exam.
I wish I had studied for the exam.
I would like to be rich and famous.
I wish I was rich and famous.
I think it's better to be rich than famous.
I'd sooner be rich than famous.
I'd rather be rich than famous.
It's (high) time we went.
Now rewrite each of these sentences so they have the same meaning as the first. Use between 2 and 5 words, and do not change the word in brackets.
He doesn't understand because he never listens.
He was sick because he ate too much.
She got lost because she didn't have a map.
I regret studying politics at university.
I wish I had listened more at school.
I don't want to be a nurse, I want to be a doctor.
We should have dinner now.