Verbless clauses

If a relative clause contains a relative pronoun and the verb be as a main verb, both the relative pronoun and the verb can be omitted.

The people, (who were) tired of traffic pollution, decided to take action.

His daughter, (who is) now a famous actress, visits him regularly.

UNIT 7

Conditionals (2) (pp. 211-213)

As well as the four types of conditionals described in Unit 2 pages 211-212, many other variations are possible, depending on the time period being referred to. The following examples show some of the possibilities, but other combinations of tenses can be used.

Hypothetical conditionals referring to different time periods

1 If you hadn’t worked so hard then, you wouldn’t be so well-off now.

This speaker is connecting a hypothetical situation in the past to a present consequence (also hypothetical – the person s well-off). Sentences like this have:

If-clause with past perfect + main clause with would/could/might + infinitive

2 If I weren’t so busy all the time, I would have been able to help.

Here the speaker is thinking of a hypothetical state (not being busy) and explaining its consequences in the past. The result is also hypothetical – the speaker wasn’t actually able to help.

Sentences relating hypothetical states or habits to a particular event (also hypothetical) in the past have:

If-clause with subjunctive or past simple + main clause with would have + infinitive

Note: Again, alternative modals can be used.

If he didn’t speak French, he might not have got the job.

Open conditionals referring to different time periods

Again, the two clauses may refer to different times, and many different combinations are possible, but in all cases the tenses used depend on the time being referred to. The following are some examples of possible combinations.

1 If I was sad, my grandmother comforted me.

Here the speaker is describing a repeated event in the past, and implying that the situation in the if-clause did in fact happen. In fact, if could be replaced by when or every time with very little change in meaning. Sentences like this have: If-clause with past simple/past continuous + main clause with past simple

Note: Modals can also be used in both clauses. If she could find a spare moment, she would often tell me a story.

2 If he cheated then, he’s probably cheating now and he’ll probably cheat again.

Here the speaker is basing a prediction about a present and future event on a past situation.

3 If we’ve finished the bread we can get some more at the shop.

The speaker is describing a possible situation around the present time.

4 If there’s no hot water, someone must have just had a shower.

We are inferring what happened in the past from a present situation.

5 If it needs mending, they’ll usually do it for nothing.

This suggests one event typically follows another.

6 If we are to get there by evening, we ought to set off now.

The speaker is making a recommendation.

7 I’ll buy the drinks if you’ll bring the food.

In both clauses, will expresses willingness to do something.

Note: A future form is not normally used in the if-clause. However, modals such as will/would and could may be used in the following cases:

• to say someone is willing or unwilling to do something.

If you won’t help me, I’ll do it on my own.

• in polite requests (would/wouldn’t/could/couldn’t).

If you wouldn’t mind sitting here for a minute, I’ll see if anyone is free.

• to suggest that someone is insisting on doing something.

If you will tease him, of course he’ll cry.