4713

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We will go to the beach if the weather is good tomorrow.

Type 0 Conditionals (general truth) are used to express something which is always true. We can use when (=whenever) instead of if.

e.g. If/When it rains, the roads get slippery and dangerous.

Type 1 Conditionals (real present) are used to express real or very probable situations

e.g. If we work hard, we’ll finish the project on time. If he’s still waiting for you, he’ll be very angry.

If Rob’s received your letter, I’m sure he’ll phone today.

If it’s been raining in the night, you’ll have to wear wellingtons. If I can finish the work early, I’ll come and help you.

If Helen passes all her exams, we’re going to buy her a big present.

If we book this holiday, we’ll be lying on a beach in two weeks’ time. If they win this next match, they’ve won every match in the season. If you phone me after 12 o’clock, I might be in bed.

If they don’t eat their dinner, they can’t have any ice-cream.

Type 2 Conditionals (unreal present) are used to express imaginary situations which are contrary to the facts in present and, therefore, are unlikely to happen in the present

e.g. Richard is daydreaming: “If I didn’t have to work such long hours, I wouldn’t be so tired.” If you were coming with me, I would give you a lift.

If I could have a day off, I’d come with you.

If we had more money, we wouldn’t be living here.

If we had more money, we could go out more often.

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If you asked Tony, he might do it for you.

Type 3 Conditionals (unreal past) are used to express imaginary situations which are contrary to the facts in the past. They are also used to express regrets or criticism.

e.g. (Simon made a big mistake because he wasn’t careful) If I had been more careful, I wouldn’t have made such a big mistake.

If he had been traveling in that car, he would have been killed too. If we could have got a taxi, we would have come round to see you.

If I had known there was no more work to do, I could have stayed in bed. If the ambulance had come sooner, he might have been saved.

Note: Type 1 and 2 Conditionals refer to the present or the future. The use of Type 2 Conditional suggests that the situation is less probable, impossible or imaginary. Compare the examples: a) If I meet Brad Pitt, I’ll ask him about his next film.

(comment made by a reporter who is going to Hollywood.) b) If I met Brad Pitt, I would ask his autograph (comment made by a teenage fan)

We use if to show that something might happen. We use when to show that something will definitely happen. E.g. If Steve calls, tell him I’ll be back in ten minutes. (he might call) When Steve calls, tell him I’ll be back in ten minutes (it is certain that he will call)

We can form conditionals by using words/expressions such as unless, providing, provided that, so/as long as, on condition (that), what if, suppose/supposing, otherwise (=if not), but for, and, or (else), even if, in case of/in the event of, etc.

e.g. a) Unless you help me, I won’t finish on time (= If you don’t help me)

b)I’ll water the plants provided/providing I have time this afternoon. (= If I have…)

c)So/As long as you promise to be back by midnight, you can go to the party.

d)He agreed to work Saturdays on condition that he was paid overtime.

e)“I’ll take Dad’s car tomorrow night.” – “What if he needs it?”

f)Suppose/Supposing you were fired, what would you do?

g)We’d better leave now. Otherwise we’ll miss our flight. (If we don’t leave now, we’ll miss our flight)

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h)But for your advice, I wouldn’t have been able to solve my problems. (= If you hadn’t advised me…)

i)Do it again and I’ll punish you. (= If you do it again…)

j)Don’t do it again or (else) I’ll punish you. (= If you do it again …)

k)I wouldn’t go to the party even if they invited me.

l)In case of/In the event of a fire, sound the alarm. (= If there is a fire …)

We do not normally use will, would or should in an if-clause. However, we can use will or would after if to make a polite request or to express insistence or uncertainty (usually with expressions such as I don’t know, I doubt, I wonder, etc.). In this case if means whether. We can also use should after if to talk about something which is

possible, but not very likely to happen.

e.g. a) If you will take a minute, Mr. Carrington will be able to see you. (polite request)

b)If you will go on making such noise, I’ll send you out. (= If you insist… - insistence)

c)I wonder if he’ll call me tomorrow. (uncertainty)

d)If Paul should turn up, tell him to wait for me. (I don’t really expect Paul to turn

up)

We can use were instead of was for all persons in the if-clause of Type 2 Conditionals. E.g. If Andrew was/were taller, he could be a basketball player.

We use If I were you … when we want to give advice. E.g. If I were you, I wouldn’t travel on my own.

We can omit if and use inversion in Type 1, 2 and 3 Conditionals. This structure is more common in formal English.

E.g. Should he fail to be re-elected, it would be a great disappointment for him. Were he more careful, he would make fewer mistakes.

Had she been asked, she would have given her permission.

EXERCISES: TYPE 0 CONDITIONALS

1. Match the items in column A with those in column B in order to make correct Type1 conditional sentences, as in the example.

e.g. 1c … If you add sugar to a cup of coffee, the coffee tastes sweeter.

TYPE 1 CONDITIONALS

2. Refer the following sentences of real condition to the future and change the verb form.

1. You do not see the square if you look out of the window. 2. Eric comes to school by bus if he is late. 3. We see old things if the history museum is open 4. If Alf can repair his bicycle, he goes cycling. 5. Irene does not go to the theatre if she cannot get a ticket.

3.Rewrite the sentences using if.

1) Give him a little encouragement and he'll work really hard. 2) Take a pill and you won't be seasick. 3) Remember your wife's birthday or she'll be upset. 4) Send her some roses and she'll forgive you. 5) Put on some suntan oil or you'll get sunburnt. 6) Tell me the truth at once or I'll never trust you again. 7) Just say you are sorry and we can forget the whole incident. 8) Be firm with the children or they'll misbehave. 9) Practise speaking English regularly or you’ll never become really fluent.

4. Fill in the gaps with if or when and a verb in the present tense, as in the example.

1.We might go for a walk tomorrow. …If we go…, we will take the dog with us.

2.The guests will arrive soon. ………….., we will greet them at the door.

3.I am going to phone Sam in a minute. …………….., him, I want you to leave the room.

4.I might visit Pamela tomorrow. ……………her, I will buy her a present.

5.The bus comes at eight o’clock. ………….., we will all get on it.

6.She might invite us to her party. ……………… us, we will go.

7.The film will start soon. ………………….., I will record it.

8.Mark may lend me some money. ………………. some money, I will buy that jacket.

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5.Complete the sentences making them conditional.

1.We'll just manage to catch the train if ...

2.If I see him again I ...

3.I will accept-your explanation only if ...

4.If my bank manager lends me the money....

5.What will happen if ...?

6.If you don't hear from me by next Friday ...

7.If your work continues to improve ...

8. ... only if you promise not to tell anyone else

9.Look up the answer in the key only if ...

10.What will he say if ...?

11 If the worst should come to the worst...

6. Make the condition more problematic according to the model.

e.g. If danger comes, we shall be prepared to meet it. — Should danger come, we shall be prepared to meet it.

1. I don't care if the whole village knows. If that happens, we shall have to send you away. 2. If you decide to sell your country house, my brother will be willing to buy it. 3. If there are many problems by chance, we are ready to help. 4. If you get lost in the area, ask a policeman. 5. If I get the job, I'll invite you to the restaurant. 6. If there is something urgent, call us. 7. If Maxim fails you again, forget that he has ever existed. 8. If something goes wrong, we'll hire a private detective. 9. If I lose my independence, I'll get a full-time job. 10. If Adrian turns up, inform him of the latest events. 11. If he insists, ask him to give all the reasons. 12. If the weather by chance turns out to be on the miserable side

... well, there are alternatives.

7. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form.

1) I'll look for your notebook and if I (find) it I (give) you a ring.2) If you (smoke) in a non-smoking compartment the other passengers (object). 3) I'll wash the glasses in this nice hot water.- No, don't. If you (put) them into very hot water they (crack). 4) If you

(see) Tom tell him I have a message for him. 5) If he (win) he (get) £1,000; if he

(come) in second he (get) £500. 6) If you (feel) too hot during the night turn down the central heating. 7) Tom: Jack is a translator; he translates 1,000 words a day and gets

£100 a week, which he says isn't enough to live on. Bill: Well, if he (want) more money he (have) to do more work. Advise him to translate 2,000 words a day. 8) If you (finish) with your dictionary I'd like to borrow it. 9) Jack (in canoe): Watch me! I'm going to stand up! 10) Tom (on the bank): He's an idiot! If he (stand) up in the canoe it (capsize). 11) The lift wasn't working when I was here last. If it still (not work)

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we (have) to use the stairs. 12) I shan't wake if the alarm clock (not go) off. 13) I shan't wake unless I (hear) the alarm. 14) If you'd like some ice I (get) some from the fridge. 15) He's only sixteen but he wants to leave school at the end of the term. ~ If he (leave) now he (be) sorry afterwards. 16) I expect it will freeze tonight. ~ If it (freeze) tonight the-roads (be) very slippery tomorrow. 17) That book is overdue. If you (not take) it back to the library tomorrow you (have) to pay a fine. 18) Unless Tom (take) his library book back tomorrow he (have) to pay a fine. 19) You'd better take the day off if you (not feel) well tomorrow. 20) If a driver (brake) suddenly on a wet road he (skid). 21) If you (like) I (get) you a job in this company. 22) If you (like) a job in this company, I'll get you one. 23) My dog never starts a flight. He never growls unless the other dog (growl) first.

8.Translate into Russian.

1. Я думаю, что если ей предложат эту работу, она согласится. 2. Если вы будете усердно работать, то к концу дня закончите работу. 3. Ты не станешь хорошим спортсменом, если не будешь много тренироваться. 4. Его родители будут рады, если он женится на ней. 5. Если я завтра получу зарплату, то я куплю себе этот костюм. 6. Если у меня есть время, я хожу на рыбалку каждую неделю. 7. Если я куплю билеты сегодня, я позвоню тебе. 8. Что ты будешь делать, если не получишь документы? 9. Если погода не изменится, то мы завтра поедем кататься на лодке. 10. Если автобус будет переполнен, они пойдут на станцию пешком. 11. Ты попадёшь в беду, если не последуешь его совету. 12. Если я много работаю, то очень устаю в конце дня. 13. Я зайду к вам сегодня вечером, если вы не возражаете. 14. Если хотите, я могу спросить её об этом. 15. Если он придёт, скажите ему, что я в парикмахерской. 16. Если она не найдёт номер в гостинице, она остановится у своих друзей. 17. Я напишу ей письмо, если вы пришлёте мне её адрес. 18. Что мы завтра будем делать, если будет хорошая погода? 19. Если вы не успеете на поезд в 10.30, то есть поезд в 10.50. 20. Когда у него хорошее настроение, то он всегда шутит. 21. Случись вам побывать в Италии, обязательно посетите Венецию. 22. Сегодня я еду в книжный магазин. Если увижу хороший словарь, то куплю его. 23. Я знаю, что ты книголюб и часто бываешь в книжных магазинах. Если ты увидишь словарь сленга, купи мне его, сколько бы он ни стоил. 24. Если они все-таки рискнут, они определённо всё потеряют. 25. Тебе здорово повезет, если вдруг ты обнаружишь эти данные в Интернете. 26. Случись, что я задержусь, мой управляющий может начать переговоры. 27. Если самолёт задержится, вот тебе журнальчик, чтобы скоротать время.

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28. Если он опять попадет в аварию, то потеряет права. 29. Случись вам попасть в Кению, поезжайте на сафари. 30. А что, если она вдруг выйдет замуж за этого мафиози? 31. Откуда мне знать, чем он занимается? И почему это тебя интересует?

TYPE 2 CONDITIONALS

9.Change the following sentences of real condition into sentences of unreal condition.

e.g. I shall take a bus if I am in a hurry. → I should take a bus if I were in a hurry.

A.1. If the storm is over, we shall have a pleasant walk. 2. If it grows cold, they start heating the rooms. 3. He will let me know if he goes to Moscow 4. Harold will be late if he walks so slowly. 5. The dog will catch the stick if it is thrown into the river.

B.1. If it snows, the streets will be cleared of snow. 2. If the weather keeps dry, we have to water the flowers. 3. We shall not see anything if the night is very dark 4. The child was not able to sleep if he had a high temperature. 5. The room will look warmer if the walls are painted yellow. 6. The dust and noise of the street will not reach us if the trees grow bigger.

10. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form. Conditional sentences: Type 2.

1) Of course I'm not going to give her a diamond ring. If I (give) her a diamond ring she (sell) it. 2) Tom: I woke up to find the room full of smoke; but I knew exactly what to do. ~ Ann: If I (wake) up to find the room full of smoke I (have) no idea what to do. 3) Ann: I couldn't live without Tom. If he (go) off with another girl I (pine) away and die. But I have complete confidence in Tom. 4) Husband: But I'm not going on a diet. Why should I go on a diet? ~ Wife: If you (go) on a diet you (lose) weight. 5) If someone (say), "I'll give you £500 to go into court and swear that this statement is true," what you (do)? 6) If we (work) all night we (finish) in time; but we have no intention of working all night. 7) You must never blow out a gas light. Do you know what (happen) if you (blow) out a gas light? 8) If I (see) a tiger across Hyde Park I (climb) a tree. ~ That (not be) any use. The tiger (climb) after you. 9) If I (come) across two men fighting with knives I (call) the police. ~ But this a very peaceful area. 10) Ann: All your clothes are years out of date. Why don't you throw them away? ~ Mary: Don't be ridiculous! If I (throw) my clothes away I (have) to ask my husband

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for £1,000 to buy new ones. ~ Ann: If you (ask) him for £1,000 what he (say)?

~Mary: He (be) too horrified to speak at first. But when he'd recovered from the shock, he probably (start) talking about a divorce. 11) If someone (ring) my door at 3 a.m. I (be) very unwilling to open the door. 12) If I (see) a python in Piccadilly I (assume) it had escaped from a circus. 13) Tom: The plane was on fire so we bailed out. ~ Ann: I don't think I (have) the nerve to do that even if the plane (be) on fire. 14) We train the children to file out of the classroom quietly, because if a whole class (rush) at the door someone (get) hurt. 15) Why don't you buy a season ticket? ~ Because I lose everything. If I (buy) a season ticket I (lose) it. 16) Why don't you bring your car to work? If I (have) a car I (bring) it to work. 17) Jack: They get £150 a week.

~Tom: They can't get £150 a week. If they (do) they (not be) striking for £120. 18)

Ann: George is fourteen. ~ Tom: He must be older than that. He's in a full-time job. If he (be) only fourteen he still (be) at school. 19) He is staying at the Savoy in London.

~Is he very rich? ~ I suppose he is. If he (be) a poor man he (not stay) at the Savoy. 20) If I (have) heaps of money I (drink) champagne with every meal. ~ If you (drink) champagne with every meal you soon (get) tired of it. 21) Prime Minister on golf course: I'm not at all worried about the situation. If I (be) worried I not (play) golf at this moment. 22) But I don't want to buy an elephant! ~ I know that. But where you (go) if you (do) want to buy one? 23) Why don't you get a cat? If you (keep) a cat the mice (not run) about everywhere. 24) What time of year do you think it is in the picture? Summer? ~ No, it must be winter. If it (be) summer the people (not sit) round that big fire.

11. Rewrite these sentences, using an if + might/could construction.

e.g. He smokes too much; perhaps that's why he can't get rid of his cough. → If he didn't smoke so much he might get rid of his cough or If he smoked less he might (be able to) get rid of his cough.

1) She is very shy; that's why she doesn't enjoy parties. 2) He doesn't take any exercise; that's why he is so unhealthy. 3) I haven't the right change so we can't get tickets from the machine. 4) They speak French to her, not English, so her English doesn't improve. 5) He doesn't work overtime, so he doesn't earn as much as I do. 6) My number isn't in the directory so people don't ring me up. 7) The police are not armed so we don't have gun battles in the streets. 8) The shops don't deliver now, which makes life difficult. 9) He's very thin; perhaps that's why he feels the cold so much. 10) We haven't any matches so we can't light a fire. 11) It's a pity we haven't a steak to cook over our camp fire. 12) I'm fat; that's why I can't get

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бы не было так поздно, я бы позвонил ей сейчас. 4. Если бы она была более терпеливой, с ней легче было бы иметь дело. 5. Я бы зашёл к тебе на следующей неделе, если бы у меня было время. 6. На вашем месте я бы провёл отпуск на юге. Я уверен, это пошло бы вам на пользу. 7. Вы бы чувствовали себя лучше, если бы проводили больше времени на свежем воздухе. 8. Если бы ты действительно любил читать, ты бы всегда нашёл время для чтения. 9. Если бы у него сейчас были занятия, нам пришлось бы долго ждать. 10. Вы бы не опаздывали на занятия, если бы выходили из дому на десять минут раньше. 11. Не будь он таким ленивым, он был бы одним из первых учеников класса. 12. Если бы у нас было меньше багажа, мы могли бы пойти пешком на вокзал, так как у нас достаточно времени, чтобы успеть на поезд. 13. Она бы не теряла вещи так часто, если бы не была такой рассеянной. 14. На твоём месте я бы приняла это предложение. 15. Если бы вы знали его лучше, вы бы не думали о нем так плохо. 16. На вашем месте я бы отказался от этой идеи. Её трудно осуществить. 17. Что бы вы сказали, если бы он обратился к вам за советом? 18. Если бы она сейчас же пошла в читальню, она бы ещё застала там библиотекаря. 19. Если бы фильм был цветной, он бы производил большее впечатление. 20. Мне очень нравятся эти часы. Если бы они были дешевле, я бы купил их. 21. В этом тексте слишком много незнакомых слов. Если бы у меня был словарь, я бы смогла перевести его. 22. Если бы женщины не занимались домашним хозяйством, они бы сэкономили массу времени. 23. Вы бы чувствовали себя лучше, если бы не ложились спать так поздно. 24. Слишком холодно. Мы бы могли пойти на каток, если бы не было так холодно. 25. Если бы не дождь, мы могли бы сейчас поехать за город. 26. На твоем месте я бы обратился к врачу. 27. Ей не было бы так одиноко, если бы дети были с ней сейчас.

TYPE 3 CONDITIONALS

14. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tense.

1.She would have come to dinner if we …….. (invite) her.

2.If you had locked the door, the burglars ……….. (not/get in).

3.Had I heard any news, I ………. (tell) you immediately.

4.She would have stayed at home if she ……… (know) there would be so much traffic.

5.If you ………. (put) the keys in your pocket, you wouldn’t have lost them.

6.Emily ………. (call) me if she had changed her mind.