14 Conditional sentences

14.1 Type 1 conditionals 14.1 A Type 1 conditionals, basic uses: 'If the weather clears, we'll go for a walk' [> LEG 14.4-6]

1 We can use all present tenses after if, not just the simple present, for example:

If she finishes work early, she will go home, (if + simple present + will)

If she has finished work by 4 o'clock, she will go home. (if + present perfect + will)

2 We can use all future tenses in the main clauses, not just the will-future:

If he doesn't hurry, the plane will have left by the time he gets to the airport.

3 We use Type 1 conditionals to describe what will or won't (probably) happen:

If the weather clears, we'll go for a walk. (Not *lf the weather will clear*)

Write: Supply the correct forms of the missing verbs.

1 If it is (be) fine tomorrow, we will go for a picnic.

2 If I … (have) time tonight, I … (finish) the novel I'm reading.

3 If it … (rain) next weekend, we …(not able to) plant the vegetables.

4 If he … (be leaving) at 6 o'clock, I … (ask) him to give me a lift.

5 If she … (have drive) all that way since this morning, she… (be) tired and hungry.

6 If they … have/be working) all afternoon, they … (probably need) a cup of tea.

7 If I … (can't/finish) the job this weekend, I … (try) to get it done during the week.

8 If John … (be picked) for the team, he … (be boasting) about it for weeks!

9 If you … (have/forget) to phone, they … (will have/go) without you.

10 If we … (stay) in this flat till May, we … (will have/be living) here for twenty years.

14.1B 'If + present + modal: 'If it's fine tomorrow, we may go for a swim' [>LEG 14.7]

When we use will in the main clause, we are expressing certainty or near-certainty:

If the weather clears, we'll go for a walk, (certain, or nearly certain) [> 11.4A]

If we do not feel 'certain' enough to use will, we can use another modal to say what is possible, necessary or desirable, for example:

If it's fine tomorrow, we may go for a swim, (it's possible)

If it's fine tomorrow, we must go for a swim, (it's necessary or desirable to do this)

Write: Supply the correct forms of the missing verbs, but use these modals in the main clause: can, could, may, might, should, ought to, or must. Alternatives are possible.

1 If you …are (be) still ill tomorrow, you ought to... stay at home.

2 If you… (finish) work early, you… come for a drink with us.

3 If she… (have) too much to do, she… ask someone to help her.

4 If he… (not be coming) tonight, he … come next week.

5 If he… (have only just arrive), he… not have heard the news.

6 If they… (have be/waiting) longer than an hour, they… be getting impatient.

7 If we… (can't/go) next week, we… manage to go the week after.

14.1C 'If + should' instead of 'if + present' [> LEG 14.8);

If + should, instead of if + present, makes the condition more doubtful or very polite:

If I should see him, I'll ask him to ring you. (= If I see him, I'll ask him to ring you.)

Rewrite these sentences using should in the if-clause.

1 If you see him, please give him this message… if you should see him.

2 If she asks you, please don't tell her anything…

3 If he phones, please say I'm out…

4 If the temperature falls, turn up the heating…

5 If you receive a letter, let me know…

6 If you go out, get me a paper…

14.1 D Imperative + 'and/or' + clause: 'Fail to pay and ...' [> LEG 14.9]

We can use the imperative in place of an if-clause to comment, threaten, request, etc.

1 We follow the imperative + and in place of an if-clause in the affirmative:

If you fail to pay, they'll cut off the electricity. > Fail to pay and they'll cut off the electricity.

2 We follow the imperative + or in place of an if-clause in the negative:

If you don't stop borrowing money, you'll be in trouble. > Stop borrowing money, or you'll be in trouble.

Write: Change these sentences to begin with an imperative.

1 If you ask me nicely, I'll mend it for you. Ask me nicely and I’ll mend it for you.

2 If you crash my car, I'll never forgive you…

3 If you work late tonight, I'll pay you well…

4 If you don't hurry, you'll be late…

5 If you don't take a taxi, you'll miss your train…

6 If you don't stop shouting, I'll slap you…

14.1 E Write: Put in the missing verb forms. AN URGENT CASE.

The family party was in full swing when the phone rang. Dr Craig answered it. He listened carefully for a moment, then said, 'I'll come right away.' 'Do you have to go out?' his wife asked. 'If it1 is an urgent case, I have to go,' Dr Craig answered. 'If I (should)2… late, please don't wait up for me.' Dr Craig drove into the night. If I don't hurry, he thought, I (might)3… too late. The thought made him drive faster. After driving for an hour, he arrived at a house. All the lights were on. If all the family is up, the doctor thought, the situation (must)4… serious. A woman opened the front door immediately. Thank God you've come, doctor,' she cried. 'It's my daughter.' A sleepy child of about six appeared in a nightdress. 'I told her,' her mother said, '"(go)5… to bed or I'll fetch the doctor". See,' she shouted at the child. 'I've done it. Here's the doctor!'

14.2 Type 2 conditionals 14.2A Type 2 conditionals, basic uses: 'If you went by train, you would ...' [> LEG 14.10-12]

We form Type 2 conditionals with if + past (or if + could) + would.

1 We can use Type 2 conditionals in place of Type 1 to describe something that is reasonably possible. The past tense form does not refer to past time:

If you go by train, you will (you'll) get there earlier. (Type 1: reasonably possible)> If you went by train, you would (you'd) get there earlier. (Type 2, 'more tentative') ) невизначений, невпевнений

2 We often use Type 2 conditionals to describe what is totally impossible:

If you had longer legs, you would be able to run faster. (Not *lf you would have*) If you could run fast, you'd be an Olympic champion.

Write: Write Type 2 conditionals to match these situations.

1 I don't have a spare ticket. I can't take you to the concert. If I had a spare ticket, I could\would take you to the concert.

2 She drinks too much coffee. She doesn't feel calm…

3 He can't type. He isn't able to operate a computer…

4 They don't understand the problem. They won't find a solution...

5 He sits around too much. He isn't fit…

14.2B 'If + were/was' + 'would': 'If I were you, I would ...' [> LEG 14.13]

1 We can use were in place of was after if in all persons: 'the subjunctive' [> 11.13B].

Were is formal. We also prefer were when expressing doubt or imagining something:

If I was better qualified, I'd apply for the job. (If I was: less formal)

If I were better qualified, I'd apply for the job. (If I were: more formal)

How would she be managing, if she were running a large company? (progressive forms)

If I were the Queen of Sheba, you would be King Solomon, (were is preferable here)

2 We use If I were you and If I were in your position to give advice. (Not *lf I was*)

We can also refer to somebody else: If I were in Jane's position, I'd look for a new job.

Write: Write Type 2 conditionals to match these situations.

1 She is not in your position. She isn't able to advise you. If she were in your position, she would be able to advise you.

2 I am in a hurry. I won't stay to dinner…

3 He's not a millionaire. He won't buy you a palace…

4 The weather isn't sunny. We won't stay indoors…

5 I am fit. I will go climbing…

14.2C 'If + past + modal: 'If he knew the facts, he might..." [> LEG 14.14]

When we use would in the main clause, we are expressing as much certainty as possible:

If he knew the facts, he would tell us what to do. (certain or nearly certain [> 14.1B])

If we don't feel 'certain' enough to use would, we can use another modal to say what would be possible or necessary, for example:

If he knew the facts, he might tell us what to do. (it's possible)

If he knew the facts, he should tell us what to do. (it's necessary)

Write: Supply the correct forms of the missing verbs. Use could, ought to, or might in the main clause.

1 If she were\was (be) here now, she could give (give) us some advice.

2 If he… (fail) in his present job, he… (think) about another career.

3 If you… (can play) a musical instrument, you… (help) with the school orchestra.

4 If they… (have) the right qualifications, they… (be able to) apply for better jobs.

5 If she… (can have) some lessons, she… (improve) her performance.

6 If we… (run) our own business, we… (be) more independent.

7 If John… (go) to his home town, he… (visit) his mother.

8 If Susan… (borrow) your book, she… (return) it.

9 If Frank… (want) advice, he…(ask) his bank manager.

14.2D Context. Write: Put in Type 2 conditionals throughout. LYING IN THE SUN.

Two tramps, Eugene and Sergio, were lying in the sun.

EUGENE: What (we/doing) would we be doing if the sun (not shining)2… ?

SERGIO: Well, (we/not be)3… lying here for a start. But that's not the important question. The important question is: what (we do)4… if (we/be)5… rich?

EUGENE: If (we/be)6… rich, we (can/travel)7… everywhere.

SERGIO: True, but we travel everywhere already.

EUGENE: Yes, but not in style. If (we/have)8… money, our chauffeur, James, (can/drive)9… us round in our Rolls. Imagine, if (we/be)10… in that position! (We/return)11… to our fine mansion in the country.

SERGIO: Yes, the butler (put out) 12… fresh clothes for us, the cook (prepare)13… a fine meal for us. We14… not just be eating carrots all the time.

EUGENE: Yes. If (we/own) 15… a house like that, (we/also have)16… a fine swimming-pool.

Yes! Yes! If (we/have)17… a fine swimming-pool, (we can/swim)18… as much as we liked.

EUGENE: If (we/be)19… really really rich, (we can/lie)so20… in the sun!

SERGIO: But we are lying in the sun!

14.3 Type 3 conditionals 14.3A Type 3 conditionals, basic uses: 'If you had gone by train,' [>LEG 14.16-19]

We form Type 3 conditionals with if + past perfect (or if + could have) + would have.

We often use Type 3 conditionals to express regret, etc. about things that can now never happen. We can use simple or progressive forms of the past perfect in the if-clause:

If I'd (= I had) been taller, I'd (= I would) have joined the police force.

If I had had any sense, I wouldn 't have bought a second-hand car.

If we had gone by car, we would have saved time.

If I had been trying harder, I would have succeeded.

If I could have stopped, there wouldn't have been an accident.

Write: Comment on the following situations with if (expressing regret, etc.).

1 John ate too much birthday cake, so he was sick. If John hadn’t eaten too/so much birthday cake, he wouldn’t have been sick.

2 We came home from our holiday early because we ran out of money...

3 The house didn't burn down because the fire brigade came immediately…

4 The men were wearing protective clothing, so they were all quite safe…

5 I had an accident because I wasn't watching the road…

6 I was sweating because it was so hot…

7 My father didn't earn much money, so life wasn't easy for us…

8 I didn't enjoy school, so I didn't do very well...

14.3B 'If I had been you/If I had been in your position' [> LEG 14.18.1]

We often use If I had been you and / I had been in your position to describe what we would have done in someone else's position:

If I had been you/If I had been in your position, I would have accepted their offer.

Write: Comment on these situations. Begin each sentence with If I had been ...

1 Marie paid £200 for a dress. If I had been Mary, I wouldn’t have paid $200 for a/that dress.

2 Franz didn't take that job he was offered. …

3 Ali didn't study at all, so he failed his exams. …

4 Sandra walked to work in the rain and got wet. …

14.3C 'If + past perfect + modal: 'If he had known the facts, he might have ...' [>LEG 14.19]

When we use would have in the main clause, we are expressing as much certainty as possible:

If he had known the facts, he would have told us what to do. (certain or nearly certain)

If we don't feel 'certain' enough to use would have, we can use another modal to say what would have been possible:

If he had known the facts, he might have told us what to do. (it's possible)

If he had known the facts, he could have told us what to do. (he would have been able)

Write: Supply the correct forms of the missing verbs. Use could have (done) and might have (done) in the main clause.

1 If I had managed (manage) to repair my car earlier, I could have driven (drive) you to London.

2 If I… (know) last week that she was ill, I… (visit) her.

3 If you… (not want) to drive straight home, we… (miss) all this traffic.

4 If you… (ask) politely, I… (help) you.

5 If the weather forecast… (be) different, we… (stay) at home.

6 We…(be) at the airport for hours, if we… (not know) that the flight was delayed.

7 I… (make) a bad mistake, if I… (not read) the instructions.

8 We… (have) an accident, if our car… (not be) properly serviced.

9 If he… (fasten his seatbelt), he… (not be) hurt.

10 She… (not hear) the news, if she… (not turn on) the radio this morning.

11 If they… (could see) us, they… (laugh).

12 If you … (tell) me you needed money, I… (lend) you some.

13 I… (save) some food for you, if I… (know) you were going to be late.

14 They… (play) better, if they… (have) more training.

14.3D Context. Write: Put in Type 3 conditionals throughout. BOTH RIGHT AND BOTH WRONG.

The black car screamed round the corner on the wrong side of the road and passed a white car doing exactly the same thing in the other direction. Both drivers stopped and got out of their cars. 'If I (be) had been on my side of the road, you (kill)2… me,' driver A shouted. 'But you weren't on your side of the road,' driver B shouted back. 'If you (... driving)3 more carefully, you (not be)4… on the wrong side of the road.' 'If I (know)5… what was round the corner, I (keep)6… to my side of the road,' driver A said. 'If you (know)7… what was round the corner, you (... not driving)8… so carelessly.'Suddenly, both men stopped shouting and driver A said, very quietly, 'If we both (not be) 9… on the wrong side of the road, we (be) 10… dead now.' Without speaking a further word, both men shook hands and drove away.

14.4 Mixed conditionals; 'unless/if... not', etc. 14.4A Mixed tenses in conditional sentences [> LEG 14.3]

We do not always have to stick rigidly to the 'three types of conditional sentences'. There are occasions when we can use any tenses in if-clauses, depending on the context:

If I am as clever as you say I am, I would have been rich by now. Type 1 + Type 3

If you knew me better, you wouldn't have said that. Type 2 + Type 3

If I had had your advantages, I'd be better off now. Type 3 + Type 2

Write: Use mixed tenses in these sentences.

1 If I were (be) you, I would have checked (check) my facts before I wrote that letter.

2 If you… (be) so hungry, you… (not miss) breakfast.

3 If he… (not catch) the 5.30 train, he… (not arrive) for another two hours.

4 He… (feel) very tired today if he… (play) rugby yesterday.

5 If the snake bite… (be) poisonous, you…(feel) very ill now.

6 If I… (be) in your position, I… (answer) his letter by now.

14.4B 'If not' and 'unless' [> LEG 14.20]

1 We can use if... not and unless in place of each other when we are saying 'except if.

Unless is 'stronger' than if not and we sometimes use it in 'threats':

If you don't change your mind I won't be able to help you. (= Except if you change ...)

Unless you change your mind, I won't be able to help you. (= Except if you change ...)

2 We cannot use unless in place of if not when it not doesn't mean 'except if:

I'll be surprised if he doesn't win. (if not doesn't mean 'except if)

She 'd be better company if she didn't complain so much, (if not doesn't mean 'except if"

3 We often use unless (never if... not) to introduce an afterthought:

I couldn't have got to the meeting - unless, of course, I had caught an earlier train.

Write 1: Tick the sentences where we could use either if not or unless.

1 I won't do it if you don't help me. V

2 Unless he chooses his words more carefully, he'll be in trouble…

3 She'd have more friends if she didn't criticise everyone so much…

4 I'll be surprised if they don't get married one day…

5 She couldn't have stolen the jewels unless she had had inside help…

6 She couldn't have stolen the jewels - unless of course someone had helped her…

7 I'd be very pleased with this car if it didn't break down all the time...

Write 2: Supply if not or unless in these sentences. Note where you could use either.

1 (you/tell) unless you tell/ if you don’t tell me the whole story, I won't be able to help you. 2 He would be happier and healthier (he/have)… so many worries.

3 We couldn't have caught the plane - (we/break)… the speed limit getting to the airport. 4 (management and unions/become)… more flexible, there'll be a lot more strikes. 5 I'll be there by 7 o'clock (I/get held up)… in the traffic. 6 (we/have)…more rain soon, the plants will all die. 7 (you/not warn) me, I would have fallen into the same trap as you.

14.4C Conjunctions we can sometimes use in place of 'if [> LEG 14.21]

We can introduce conditionals with conjunctions which do not always have exactly the same meaning as if, for example: assuming (that), even if, on (the) condition (that), provided (or providing) that, so long as, suppose and supposing: Assuming (that) it's fine tomorrow, we'll go for a swim.

Write: Rewrite these sentences using the conjunctions in brackets.

1 If you gave me $10,000, I still (not go) down a coal mine, (even if)… Even if you gave me $10,000, I still wouldn't go down a coal mine.

2 I (lend) you my book if you let me have it back by Monday, (on (the) condition (that))…

3 If you look after it, I (let) you keep my bicycle till the weekend, (providing (that))…

4 If you (not tell) anyone else, I'll tell you what happened, (so long as)…

5 If it (be) a holiday on Monday, we can drive to the seaside, (assuming (that))…

6 The children were never scolded if they (do) what they were told, (so long as)…

14.4D Context. Write: Put in the right conditionals. THE SECRET OF A LONG LIFE.

Grygori Pilikian recently celebrated his 114th birthday and reporters visited him in his mountain village in Georgia to find out the secret of a long life. 'The secret of a long life,' Grygori said, 'is happiness. If you (be)1 are happy, you will live a long time.' 'Are you married?' a reporter asked. 'Yes,' Grygori replied. 'I married my third wife when I was 102. If you are happily married, you (live)2… for ever. But for my third wife, I (die)3… years ago.' 'What about smoking and drinking?' a reporter asked. 'Yes, they are important,' Grygori said. 'Don't smoke at all and you (feel)4… well. Drink two glasses of wine a day and you (be)5… healthy and happy.' 'If you (can/live)6… your life again, what (you/do)7… ?' a reporter asked. 'I would do what I have done. If I had had more sense, I (eat)8… more yoghourt!' he chuckled. 'Supposing you (can/change)9… one thing in your life what (you/change)10…?' another reporter asked. 'Not much,' Grygori replied. 'So you don't have any regrets?' 'Yes, I have one regret,' Grygori replied. 'If I (know) 11… I was going to live so long, I (look after)12… myself better!'