7 » ,-6 GRAMMAR “ ~ . e Conditionals (© What is always true: present + present If Lwork late, I get tired. Ifthe water ie hailing, it meane the food is nearly ready I get the bus if | miss the train. © What was always true: past + past We went home early if it was foggy. IFit was snowing, we stayed at home. She went to bed early if she felt really tired. © Real situations: present + future Here we think that the outcome is really possible. Ifyou keep driving like that, you're going to have an accident. There won't be enough food if tao many people turn up. © Hypothetical situations: past + would ‘These are unreal or imaginary situations. If Tknew the answer, I'd tell you. If was having a party, I wouldn't invite Marcia, He wouldn't be afraid of dogs if he had one as a pet. Ifshe were / was better qualified, she would be ideal for the job. ‘The verb be usually takes the form were for all persons in these sentences, though was is used in everyday speech. Note that in the first person itis possible to use should instead of would, but this is very formal and old-fashioned, If [left home, I think I should be lonely: © Hypothetical past situations: past perfect + would have ‘These refer to past events. If Thad known you were coming, I would have met you at the station. I wouldn't have tried to lift it if V'd krsown it was 90 heavy! © With modals Possible situations in the present Ifyou get wet, you should change your clothes immediately If you come early, we cam discuss the problem together. If we leave now; wo might got thore by 6.00. Hypothetical situations If Thad the money, I could help you. Ifyou were taller, you'd be able to reach the top shelf.GRAMMAR 7 CONDITIONALS Hypothetical past situations She could have been injured if she hadn't been wearing a seat-belt. If you hadn't reminded me, I might have forgotten. Variations © Ifonly This adds emphasis to hypothetical situations. With past events it adds a sense of regret. The second part of the sentence is often left out, Ifonly my phone was working, I could calla taxi Ionly I hadn't drunk too much, this wouldn't have happened! only I had enough time! only you listened to me! © Unless and other alternatives to if Unless means ‘only if not. Unless you call me this afternoon, I won't get the tickets. (his means: I'll only get the tickets it you call me.) ll go ahead and get the tickets unless you call me this afternoon. (This means: If you call me this afternoon, I won't get the tickets.) If one situation depends on another, ifcan be replaced by as / so long as, provided (that) o only if. See Grammar 11 for only if Til do what you say provided (that) the police are not informed, You'll be fine, as long as you don' slip! Even if describes how something will happen whatever the condition. Even ifit rains, well stil go for a picnic. We wouldnt have won the game even if Smiths goal had been allowed. © Past events with results in the present: past perfect + would If Jim hadn't missed the plane, he would be here by now. She would stil be alive if she had seen a doctor in time. © should After if, this makes the possibility of an event seem unlikely. If you should see Ann, could you ask her to call me? (This implies that I do not expect you to see Ann.) Let me know if you should change your mind. (This implies that I do not expect you to change your mind.) © Were to This also makes an event seem more hypothetical. If I were to ask you to marry me, what would you say? How would you feel if you were to get the job after all? © Happen 10 ‘This emphasizes chance possibilities. It is often used with should. If you happen to see Helen, could you ask her to call me? Ij you should happen to be passing, drop in Jor a cup of teaLANGUAGE PRACTICE FOR ADVANCED © If it were not for / If it hadn't been for This describes how one event depends on another. If it weren't for Jim, this company would be in a mess If it hadn't been for their goalkeeper, United would have lost. ‘© Will and would: politeness and emphasis ‘These can be used as polite forms, If you will / would wait here, Ill see if Mrs Green is free. Will can also be used for emphasis, meaning ‘insist on doing. If you will stay out late, no wonder you are tired! Other ways of making a conditional sentence © Supposing, otherwise Supposing or suppose can replace if, mainly in everyday speech. Supposing you won the lottery, what would you do? Suppose he comes back, what will you say? Otherwise means ‘if not. It can go at the beginning or end of the sentence. Ifit doesn't rain soon, I'l have to water the garden. hope it rains soon, otherwise Ill have to water the garden. Ifyou hadn't given us directions, we wouldn't have found the house. Thanks for your directions to the house. We wouldn't have found it otherwise. © Bui for This can replace if not. It is used in formal language, and must be followed by a noun form. Ifyou hadnt helped us, we would have been in trouble But for your help, we would have been in trouble. © Ifs0, if not ‘These can refer to a verb in a previous sentence. There isa possibility that Jack will be ate, Ifo, I will take his place. Have you completed your project? If not, when do intend to hand it in? © Colloquial omission of if ‘An imperative can be used instead of an if clause in everyday speech, Sit down, and I'l make us a cup of tea. (= Ifyou sit down...) Come back later and I'l tell you. (= If you come back later...) © Mand adjectives In expressions such as if it is necessary / possible, it is possible to omit the verb be. If interested, apply within. If necessary, take a taxi If possible, leave before 6.00. © Formally if'can mean ‘although; usually followed by an adjective, ‘The room was well-furnished, ifa little badly decorated. Her work is af a gnod standard, if eametimes rather untidyGRAMMAR 7 CONDITIONALS 1 Complete the sentences with the best form of the verbs in brackets. 1. Now were lost! If you (write down) ..Atd written. dante sews Emin directions, this (not / happen) 2. Why dontt we emigrate? If we (live) Australia, at least the weather (be) 3 Tn afi that Sih isa arene criminal. ore (at pais). him this time, he (only / commit) more crimes, 4 Thanks to Dr Jones, I'm still alive! Ifit (not / be) for her, I (be) swe dead for 5. 'msorry I can't lend you any money. You know that if (have) «1 (lend) itto you 6 Don't be afraid. If you (touch) von the dog, it (not / bite) In those days, ifyou (have) (be). 8 Its always the same! fT (decide) office early, my boss (call). 9 White terrible thing to hppen! Just think, we (ast mis.. the plane, we (kill) in the crash. 10) Dil yang pooeeate oe (Bese. eating, 1 stain, ajob, you . to leave the ime afer vee! (clear away) the plates. 2 Conectany verb forms which are incorrect or inappropriate, Puta tick 7 If the: sentence is correct. Ifyou haven't received a letter yet, you haven't got the job. Ifitisnt for Alex, we are missing the BUS... Ifit’s raining, we go to the pub on the corner instead. Ifyou didnt lend us the money, we would have gone to the bank. Ifyou should happen to change your mind, drop me a line. If it wasn't for the rain, we would have been home by nov... Ifyou will drive so fast, no wonder the police keep stopping you. If knew you were coming, I would have met you at the airport... ‘But for you helped us, we would have taken much longer. 10 If jack joins the team, I'm leaving. eeuaueune ”LANGUAGE PRACTICE FOR ADVANCED 3. Choose the best ending (A, B or C) to complete each sentence. 1 If youd tald me you were coming AT can get some food in. Td have found us something to eat. “ Imade a lovely dish, 2. Ifyou're too ill to come Pl come over and see you. I wouldn't have done all this for you. Tasked someone else. 3. IfTa known you weren't coming I wouldn't be very upset. T would like to know why, I wouldn't have gone to so much opr aerae trouble. > 4 Ifyou're not coming perhaps you'd have the courtesy to tell me. wed never have met. youl be so lucky. Tl be the happiest girl alive. Td have had a lovely time. T would look forward to it. 5 Ifonly youd come 6 Ifyou do decide to come the party's always a success, I won't be coming either. let me know. 7. Ifyou really don't want to come Til understand. I can't be sure, Aer asrawras tell me tomorrow. 4 Complete each sentence with a phrase containing a form of the verb in brackets. 1 If were (say) £2.58. loved you, what would you do? 2 Tit (FaiN) seni would have gone out for a walk. 3 Ifonly youd told me it was a surprise party I (Say) ... anything to Uncle Frank! ‘Thanks for your help with the gardens I (0) sumosno it without you. Ifonly Mick had come to the disco, then we (have) a great time! (pay) the phone bill today, the phone will be cut off .- Your tuols, I wouldn't have been able to fx the car tt were you. the goalkeeper's heroics, we would have lost the match ‘Those wires look a bit dangerous; (touch) 4 5 6 7 if (vad) 8 9 If (be) 0GRAMMAR 7 CONDITIONALS 5 Rewrite each sentence in three different ways, using the words in CAPITALS. 1 We wont go away if the weather is bad. UNLESS ONLY STAY DON'T OR WANT WERE TO SHOULD HAPPENED 4 Without your help, I would have given up years ago. HADN'T BEEN BUT HADN'T HELPED 5 T'llend you the money on condition that you pay it back next week. PROVIDED LONGLANGUAGE PRACTICE FOR ADVANCED 3 7 Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. 1 10 u 2 I didn’t have the money so I didn't buy a new suit. WOULD AFL toa. nemerag,.| pepvalel neve. lpacant. ~ a new suit, If you are in London by any chance, come and see me. HAPPEN Ifyou Zz : come and see me. If you insist on doing everything yourself, of course you'll fel tired! WILL. Ifyou . + of course you'll fel tired! Please take a seat. and I'll inquire for you. WILL Ifyou .. sTilinguire for you, It you do the shopping, Il cook luneh, AND You Pil cook hinch If Cath hadn't been interested, the project would have been abandoned. INTEREST But... : Ths fire yan cag vind contol thank ta wight, FOR If it hadnt Jaton isin prison becanse a detective recognized him IF Jason wouldn't the project would have been abandoned. .» got out of control. . recognized him. Tam not tall enough to reach the shelf ‘TALLER If . reach the shelf. But for Jl acting so wonderfully, the play would be a flop WONDERFUL Ifit . the play would be a flop. Ie wortt make any difference if City score fst, United wil stil win. EVEN United... = . City score first. Getting up early makes me fel hungry. Get I. sakes me feel hungry.GRAMMAR 7 CONDITIONALS 8 Complete each sentence using the words in brackets. Change the verb forms if necessary. E , | 1 That was a lucky escape! If I (fall) .nad.falien. » Td have broken my leg 2. Ifyou (finish / with my pen) . + Td like it back please. 3° Unless Pete (try / harder) , he won't win the competition. 4 Ifyou took more time over your work, you (not make) so many mistakes. 5. But for Saly’s bravery, Jim (4rOWN) ounan 6 If youd told me you were coming, I (buy). more food. 7 GL/ not be) for Jane, the deal wouldn't have gone through. 8 If(I/be) .. late, youd better start without me. 9 If Ann had known Tom wasn't coming, she (not / go) toso much trouble. 10 (finish the painting) nw. s+sow by Friday, and we'll pay you extra, 9 Complete the text, using one word in each gap. Dear Sir or Madam, We would like to remind you that your account is two months overdue. We are prepared to allow you another ten days to settle your account. However. (1) if ‘you fail to pay your outstanding bills within ten days, you leave us with no alternative but to take legal action. That is, (2) wwe receive full payment by 20th March, we will refer this matter to our legal department. (3) sn. YOU be experiencing financial difficulties, please contact our Finance Department. (4) sow that you settle your account within the specified time period, we will (5) .. happy to continue to do business with you. However, We (6) ..n:mn0u if necessary, take the regrettable step of closing your account. We are sorry that this situation has arisen, but if you had paid your bills over the last two months, we (7) not be in this position now. On the other hand, you (8) have settled your account in the last tue days 1) pleace accept euir apologies for this leer Yours faithfully Brian Eccles Customer Services Wood View Office Supplies WD see aso jrammar 8: Unreal time Consolidation 2: Units 5-8 Grammar 11: Inve