Практическая грамматика английского языка - Болдак И.А., Малышева О.Л

Activities

Activity 1. “What if...?”

What if... you had been born in 1600?

you had been born a member of the opposite sex? you had left university at the end of last term?

you had started to learn English when you were much younger? you had been born black in South Africa?

you had tried to sail around the world?

In groups choose one of these situations. Talk about what would have happened. Discuss as many possibilities and probabilities as you can think of.

Activity 2. Which of the “What if...?” interested you most? Write a paragraph about your life in that situation. Refer to other students’ comments as well as your own. Build up as complete a picture as possible.

4. SPECIAL USES OF “WON’T” AND “WOULDN’T” IN IF-CLAUSES

1. We can use “if” + “won”t” + infinitive instead of “if” + “refuse/refuses” + infinitive

e.g. If they won’t take cheques, we’ll have to pay cash. (If they refuse to take cheques, we’ll have to pay cash.)

2. “If” + “would like/care” can replace “if” + “want”.

e.g. If you’d like to go to the concert, I’ll get you a ticket. (If you want to go to the concert, I’ll get you a ticket.)

5.OTHER CONDITIONAL EXPRESSIONS

1.“Unless” + affirmative verb is similar to “if” + negative verb.

e.g. Unless I hurry, I “II miss my bus. (If I don”t hurry, I’ll miss my bus.)

2.“0therwise” means “if we don”t do this/if he didn’t do this/if I hadn’t done this” etc.

e.g. He must take the pills. Otherwise he won’t get well.

3.“Provided (that)” means “on condition that” and emphasizes a restriction. e.g. You can park here, provided you leave before six.

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Practice Section

Comment on the form and meaning of the verbs in the following complex sentences.

1.Unless you start at once you’ll be late.

2.Her father pays her fees; otherwise she wouldn’t be here.

3.I used my calculator; otherwise I’d have taken longer.

4.You can camp here provided you leave no mess.

5.Unless he puts money in the meter, he may get a parking ticket.

6.Unless he pays his telephone bill, they’ll cut him off.

7.Unless you speak French, they won’t employ you.

8.Unless you need help, don’t ask for it.

9.Unless you book at once, you won’t get a seat.

10.I won’t go to the party, unless you go too.

Drills

Drill 1. E.g. Ted and Bill will be on time, if Bill eats quickly. * Ted and Bill would be on time, if Bill ate quickly.

1.Ted and Bill will be on time, if Bill eats quickly.

2.They’ll miss the kick-off unless they hurry.

3.If they arrive late, they won’t get a good seat.

4.Their team won’t win, unless there’s miracle.

5.Ford will never score a goal, unless he runs faster.

6.If they win today, Ted will be happy.

7.The team will improve, if they buy new players.

8.If they get a new manager, he’ll

buy new players.

Drill 2. Perephrase the sentences using “unless”.

e.g. If we don’t leave now, we’ll miss the start of the film. *Unless we leave now, we’ll miss the start of the film.

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1.If you don’t wear you coat, you’ll be cold.

2.We’ll play tennis tomorrow if it doesn’t rain.

3.He won’t receive the letter tomorrow if you don’t post it before 1 o’clock today.

4.If I don’t get a pay rise at work, I’ll start looking for another job.

5.I won’t lend you the car if you don’t promise to drive carefully.

6.Your cough won’t get better if you don’t stop smoking.

Exercises

Exercise 1. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tenses.

1.Unless they turn that radio off I (go) mad.

2.I’ll probably get lost unless he (come) with me.

3.Unless they leave a lamp beside that hole in the road somebody (fall) into it.

4.You (not be) any use to me unless you learn to type.

6. CONDITIONAL SENTENCES: MIXED TYPES

Practice Section

Comment on the form and meaning of the verbs in the following complex sentences.

1.If you eat all those cakes, you would make yourself sick.

2.I’d go to the cinema more often if it wasn’t so expensive.

3.I wouldn’t have left my last job if the wages had been better.

4.What would you do if you saw someone drowning in the sea?

5.I’ll speak to my boss about my holidays today if I get the chance.

6.I would have told you if I had known.

7.If I knew more people, I wouldn’t feel so lonely.

8.You wouldn’t have had the accident if you’d been more careful.

9.They might be angry if! didn’t visit them.

10.If it stopped raining we could go out.

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Exercises

Exercise 1. Supple the correct tense of the verbs in brackets.

1.If I ever (marry) I wouldn’t want to live my life in a big city.

2.If I’d known I (change) our date.

3.I’ll telephone you in a few days if all (be) well.

4.We (not mind) what the weather was like if we lived in the country.

5.I wouldn’t be surprised if they (not give) you a reward.

6.You (turn out me) if I had been late?

7.Unless we (do) something dramatic about our environment, there is just no hope that civilization will survive.

8.If you had left me know, he (get) in touch with you.

9.The workers (threaten) to occupy the factory, unless their demands for higher pay are met.

10.Everyone (enjoy) themselves more, if they had known each other better.

Exercise 2. Rewrite the following sentences using a conditional clause with “if”.

1.I didn’t see him, so I didn’t pay him the money I owed him.

2.She doesn’t spend much time with her children, so she doesn’t know their friends.

3.They didn’t lock the windows; a burglar climbed in and took their jewelry.

4.The woman wasn’t able to find an ambulance, so her husband died on the street.

5.He doesn’t have anyone to help him, so he won’t finish the job on time.

Exercise 3. Supply the correct tense of the verbs in brackets.

1.He (succeed) if he works hard.

2.I (buy) it if it were cheaper.

3.If it hadn’t rained, we (not lose) the game.

4.I’ll work in the garden if it (not rain).

5.If you (be) a bird, you could fly.

6.If they (start) earlier, they would have arrived on time.

7.If you see him, (tell) him to phone me.

8.Should anything happen, (let) me know immediately.

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9.If you had told her before she (not be) unhappy now.

10.If you (happen) to go into town, please (buy) me some vegetables.

11.If his illness gets any worse he (have) to go into hospital.

12.People (like) Robert more if he didn’t always talk about himself.

13.I (speak) to my boss about my holidays today if I get the chance.

14.If he (make) a promise, he always keeps it.

15.I’d go to the cinema more often if it (not be) so expensive.

16.I (not leave) my last job if the wages had been better.

17.He always (get) angry if you talk to him about politics.

18.If you eat ail those cakes, you (make) yourself sick.

19.If you (ask) me, I would have helped you. What (you do) if you saw someone drowning in the sea?

Exercise 4. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tenses.

1.If you (find) a skeleton in the cellar don’t mention it to anyone.

2.If you pass your examination we (have) a celebration.

3.What (happen) if I press this button?

4.I should have voted for her if I (have) a vote then.

5.If you go to Paris where you (stay)?

6.If someone offered to buy you one of those rings, which you (choose)?

7.The flight may be cancelled if the fog (get) thick.

8.If me milkman (come) tell him to leave two pints.

9.Someone (sit) on your glasses if you leave them there.

10.You would play better bridge if you (not talk) so much.

11.What I (do) if I hear the burglar alarm?

12.If you (read) the instructions carefully you wouldn’t have answered the wrong question.

13.I could repair the roof myself if

I (have) a long ladder.

14.Unless they turn that radio off I (go) mad.

15.If you were made redundant what you (do)?

1 6. We’ll have a long way to walk if we (run) out of petrol here.

17.If you shake that bottle of port it (not be) fit to drink.

18.I’ll probably get lost unless he (come) with me.

19.You (not have) so many accidents if you drove more slowly.

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20. If you (wear) a false beard nobody would have recognized you. 21.f she (leave) the fish there the cat will get it.

22.Unless they leave a lamp beside that hole in the road somebody (fall) into it.

23.You’ll get pneumonia if you (not change) your wet clothes.

24.If I had known that you couldn’t eat octopus I (not buy) it.

25.If they (hang) that picture lower people would be able to see it.

26.She (be able) to walk faster if her shoes hadn’t such high heels.

27.I (bring) you some beer if I had known that you were thirsty.

28.If you had touched that electric cable you (be) electrocuted.

29.If the story hadn’t been true the newspaper (not print) it .

30.Dial 999 if you (want) Police, Ambulance or Fire Brigade.

Exercise 5. Complete the sentences putting the verbs m the correct form.

1.If you (come) to my party next Saturday I (be able) to introduce you to our new neighbours.

2.It was a pity you (not come) on Saturday. If you (come) I (introduce) you to our new neighbours.

3.If your hair (be) a bit longer I think it (look) much nicer.

4.I (tell) Mary you (call) if I (see) her this afternoon.

5.I (be) really excited if I (have) the chance to go to the States.

6.Why are you so miserable? If I (be) you I (go) away for a holiday.

7.If you (listen) to me you (not make) such a big mistake.

8.Your radio is very old. I’m sure you (get) better reception if you (buy) a new one.

9.If you (not look after) your teeth when you (be) young you (have) trouble when you (get) older.

10.Mary didn’t work hard enough for her exams. If she (work) harder she (pass) them

7. “WISH” SENTENCES

1.“Wish” and “if only” are used with a simple past to express regret about a present situation.

e.g. I wish I knew Sue’s telephone number. (I don’t know it).

2.“Wish” and “if only” are used with a past perfect tense to express regret about a past situation.

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e.g. I feel sick. I wish I hadn’t eaten so much. (I ate too much).

3. “Wish” and “if only” are used with “would” to express dissatisfaction with the present and wish for shange in the future.

e.g. The music next door is very loud. I wish they would turn it down.

Practice Section

Comment on the form and meaning of the verbs in the following sentences.

1.I wish I had a car.

2.If only we knew Maria’s address.

3.She wished she could play the guitar.

4.I wish he weren’t so horrible to me.

5.If only I were better looking.

6.Oh, I’m tired I wish I had gone to bed earlier last night.

7.If only you had explained the situation to me.

8.I wish you would be quiet. I’m trying to do my homework.

9.If only you would stop complaining!

10.I wish he wouldn’t leave his clothes lying all over the bathroom floor.

Drills

Drill 1. Choose the right tense after “wish” and “if only”. e.g. It’s a pity he doesn’t speak English

•Yes, I wish he spoke English.

•Yes, if only he spoke English.

1. It’s a pity she’s in hospital.

2. It’s a pity he wasn’t elected.

3. It’s a pity she doesn’t like you.

4. It’s a pity he didn’t recognize you.

5. It’s a pity they didn’t come.

6. It’s a pity she can’t play any more.

7. It’s a pity they left so soon.

8. It’s a pity she’s unhappy.

9. It’s a pity she’s deaf.

10. It’s a pity they weren’t at home.

Drill 2. Answer the following questions according to the model.

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e.g. Are you a teacher? * I wish I were.

1.Are you a third-year student?

2.Are you a millionaire?

3.Are you Claudia Schifier (Arnold Schwartzeneiger)?

4.Are you a ballet dancer?

5.Can you speak Japanese?

6.Can you sing like Placido Domingo?

7.Do you spend every summer in Spain?

Exercises

Exercise 1. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct forms.

1.If only we (have) a phone! I’m tired of queuing outside the public phone box.

2.I wish I (know) what is wrong with the car.

3.I wish I (ask) the fishmonger to clean these fish. (I’m sorry I didn’t ask him.)

4.If only he (know) then the disease was curable!

5.I wish you (not give) him my phone number. (I’m sorry you gave it to him)

6.I wish transistor radios never (be) invented.

7.If only I (be) insured! (But I wasn’t insured.)

8.If only I (keep) my mouth shut! (I said something which made matters much worse.)

9.But I told you what to do. – I know you did. If only I (take) your advice!

Exercise 2. Rewrite the following, using a “wish” construction (phrases in brackets should be omitted).

1.I’m sorry I haven’t got a washing machine.

2.I’m sorry I don’t live near my work.

3.I’m sorry our garden doesn’t get any sun.

4.I’m sorry I called him a liar.

5.I’m sorry I don’t know Finnish.

6.I’m sorry I didn’t book a seat.

7.I’m sorry I haven’t got a car.

8.I’m sorry I can’t drive.

9.I’d like Tom to drive more slowly (but I haven’t any great hopes of this.)

10.I’d like you to keep quiet. (You are making so much noise that I can’t think.)

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11. I’m sorry we accepted the invitation.

12. I’m sorry that theatre tickets cost so much.

13.It’s a pity that shops here shut on Saturday afternoon.

14.It’s a pity he didn’t work harder during the term.

15.I’m sorry you didn’t see it.

16.It’s a pity you are going tonight.

17.It’s a pity I haven’t got a work permit.

18.I would like it to stop raining (but I’m not very hopeful).

19.I’d like you to wait for me (even though you are ready to start now.)

20.I’m sorry I didn’t bring a map.

21.I’m sorry I ever came to this country.

22.I’m sorry I left my last job.

23.I’m sorry I didn’t stay in by last job.

24.I’d like him to cut his hair (but I don’t suppose he will.)

25.I’d like him to stop smoking in bed (but I haven’t any great hopes).

Exercise 3. Fill in the right tenses.

It is Angela’s first day as an assistant in a record shop. She is nervous andnot looking forward to it. Luckily, Judy, a much more experienced girl, it there to

guide her.

A.: What (I-do) if I (get) into difficulties?

J.: Don’t worry. I (be) here if you (need) me. But if you (keep) calm, everything (be) all right. If a customer (not-remember) the name of a record or an artist, (look) it up in the catalogue; if you (not-know) where a record is kept, (ask) me; if we (not-have got) a record in stock, (try) to interest him in a different one.

A.: If I (know) as much about music as you do, I (be) much more confident. J.: You ate talking to me as if I (be) an expert.

A.: You sound like an expert to me.

J. : I know more about selling records that I do about music. But if you (work) here for three years, like me, you (learn) where everything is. Look out! Here comes a customer.

A.: Good morning madam. What can I do for you? C.: I’m looking for a record for my husband.

A.: Do you have any particular record in mind?

C.: Yes. He was listening to some music on the radio last night, which he liked

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very much.

A.: Do you remember the title?

C.: No, now I wish I (write) it down. If I (have), I (not-forget) it. A.: Well, what sort of music does your husband like best?

C.: He likes all kinds. If he (be) here, he (be) able to tell you. But I want the record to be a surprise, you see.

A.: Oh dear! I wish I (know) what to recommend. If I (know), I (suggest) something, but...

J.: Did you say this music was on the radio last night, madam?

C.: Yes. About half past nine.

J.: Half past nine? Then it must have been Beathoven’s Eroica symphony. C.: I expect that was it. I (take) it if you (have) it in stock.

J.: Certainly, madam. I think you’ll find this is the best recording. If your husband (not be) satisfied we (be) pleased to exchange it for any record in the same price range.

A.: I was looking to you for help. But how did you know that that was the record her husband heard last night?

J.: I didn’t. It (be) miracle if I (guess) it. But if I (not say) anything, she (go) away and we (not sell) a record! You’ll soon learn. But in this business, if you (not take) a chance, you (never sell) anything.

Activities

Activity 1.

1.Work in groups of four.

2.First, answer the following questions for yourself. Then do the same thing for each person in your group. Write down what you think each person would be. Don’t show the members of your group your paper.

a.if you were an animal, what would you be?

b.if you were a colour, what would you be?

c.if you were food, what would you be?

Example: If I were an animal, I would be a cat. If Terri were an animal, she would be a deer. I also think that Rachel would be a mouse, and Peter would be a flamingo.

3. When you have all finished, share your ideas and compare what you think your group members be with what they think they would be.

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