Section 12 complex sentences with adverbial clauses of condition

Exercise 1p. 73.

Write out the conjunctions used to join the adverbial clauses of condition and point out the sentences with asyndetic subordination.

1. I don't know what'll become of him if he goes on like this (Gls). 2. I will leave the door ajar, in case you call me (V). 3. Work's no use unless you believe in it (Gls). 4. For my part I was very much against your having anything to do with him when he came back; but my father, just at the last, consented to let him teach you, on condition he never attempted to see your mother (V). 5. Supposing she was the thief, why should she let out her secret to Mr. Franklin? (Cll). 6. Had she been near Mar-lott she would have had less dread (Hrd).¹ 7. Winter is the great time for hunting (in England), provided the ground is not too hard (James). 8. Suppose you had done all this, how would you answer then if you were asked whether you were a coward? (Sh). 9. Once you start, it won't be so easy to get off (Crn).

Exercise 5 p. 75.

Analyse the forms of the verbs in bold type. Answer the following questions.

1. Which oblique mood forms are used in the two clauses of complex sentences with adverbial clauses of unreal condition? 2. Which combinations of perfect and non-perfect forms can be found in the two clauses?

1. You don't know everything about me. I think that if you did, even you would turn from me (Wld). 2. If you had come in yesterday at a particular moment you would have found me in tears (Wld). 3. I have seen twenty three of his plays publicly acted. But if I had not read them as well, my impression of them would be not merely incomplete, but violently distorted and falsified (Sh). 4. If a dramatic author were to publish a pantomime, he could only make it intelligible to a reader by giving him the word which the pantomimist is supposed to be uttering (Sh). 5. If it should unfortunately happen, Mr. Cokane, that this leads to nothing but a disappointment for Blanche, probably she would rather not see you afterwards. But if all turns out as we hope, Dr. Trench's best friends will then be our best friends (Sh). 6. In case difficulties arise and the match — you see I call it a match — be broken off, I should not wish Blanche to think that she had allowed a gentleman to — to — (Sh). 7. It's always been difficult. We've no hospital, let alone an isolation ward. If you should run into anything very nasty ring up Griffiths at Toniglan. He's the District Medical Officer (Crn). 8. Presently he began again in his soft, murmuring purr "just the voice a jaguar would talk in if it could speak and were in a good humour," Gemma said to herself with rising irritation (V). 9. He said that if they had given him another day he thought he could have put it straight (Jr). 10. If you would like the shutters open, just give them a push like this (Sh). 11. Still Beatrice had taken the trouble to go up to Lnd and to buy the books for me. She would not have done that if she disliked me (DuM). 12. I will do all I can to avoid having to use your evidence. But if there should be no other way, I will see that you have police protection from the moment that the subpoena is served on you (Sy). 13. With regard to the sums of money mentioned by Monsieur Prk, if monsieur would give him the numbers of some of the notes, efforts would be made to trace them (Sy).¹14.If any man doubt this, let him stay for two hours in a hot sun and then go down into the Gau-Mulch, which is merely a set of springs, now mutilated (K).

Exercise 6 p. 76.

Make up complex sentences with adverbial clauses of condition according to the patterns.²

P a t t e r n I
Principal Clause oblique mood forms of the type should/would + non-perfect infinitive	Subordinate Clause oblique mood forms of the type were, spoke (had been, had spoken)
e. g. I should (would) do the work now if I were free. If I had been free (were free), I should have done it yesterday. If I had read the article, I should know its contents.

1. If the boy had found the book, … . 2. The horse would have won the race if ... . 3. ... they would be free now. 4. If I were you, ... . 5. They would have left long ago ... . 6. ... if you had called yesterday. 7. In case the librarian were out, ... . 8. Suppose you had gone there yourself, ... . 9. ... pro­vided they got the material. 10. Supposing we had all the information at our disposal ... ? 11. I would not have ... unless ... . 12. If only ..., they would not ... .

Pattern II
Principal Clause oblique mood forms of the type should/would +non- perfect or perfect infinitive	Subordinate Clause Could, might + non-perfect or perfect infinitive
e. g. I should (would) help him if I could (might). If he could (might) have helped you, he would have done it.

1. If they could have sent the telegram, ... 2. ... they would have started in time. 3. ... if the girl might stay there for the week-end. 4. They would be glad to ... . 5. ... if the doctor could have come in time. 6. ... the students would have postponed the visit. 7. If the children could walk this distance, ... . 8. I should not have asked you for help if ... .9. The woman would like to speak to her sick husband if ... .10. ... if he might 11. If only we could begin the experiment once again, ... . 12. She wouldn't have offered to type the letters unless ... . 13. Suppose we could arrange a consultation tomorrow ...

Pattern III
Principal Clause	Subordinate Clause
could/might + non-perfect or perfect infinitive	Oblique mood forms of the type were, spoke (had bee, had spoken)
e. g. He could (might) accompany you there if he were free. He could (might) have accompanied you there if he had been (were) free.

1. If the girl were ready, … . 2. ... the professor might have offered you his help. 3. ... if the teacher had explained the new rule. 4. ... the man might see you off. 5. If I had been introduced to the man, … .6. He could have rejected the proposal if .... 7. Suppose ... , the accident might have been avoided. 8. The work could be done without delay, if only ... .9. He might come yet if ... . 10. I could not resist the temptation if ... . 11. ... unless I had heard it myself. 12. ... provided the data were reliable.

Pattern IV
Principal Clause	Subordinate Clause
oblique mood forms of the type should/would +non-perfect infinitive	were to + non-perfect infinitive
e. g. If I were to see her, I should speak to her.

1. If I were to come across this book, … .2. I should be delighted if I ... . 3. ... she would let me know at once. 4. If the party were to arrive next week, ... . 5. ... if you were to take part in the discussion. 6. ... we should see all the places of interest. 7. Were I ... I should certainly join in. 8. The doctor promised that if I were to ... .9. Were you in my place ... 10. If I were to arrange an evening party, … .

Pattern V
Principal Clause	Subordinate Clause
oblique mood forms of the type should/ would + non-perfect infinitive indicative mood imperative mood	should + non-perfect infinitive
e. g If he should come, he would ring you up (will ring you up). If he should come, ring me up.

I. If the weather should be cold, ... . 2. In case ... we should stay here for the night. 3. If he ..., he will reserve seats for you. 4. In case they should pass through Pskov ... . 5. Ring me up if .... 6. ... if you should come across this dictionary. 7 . ... bring the books at once. 8. If the boys should return soon, ... . 9. Should he return earlier than we expected, ... . 10. Suppose the library should be open on Sunday, ... . 11. ... send for the doctor at once. 12. ... he will revenge himself upon them without hesitation. 13. ... frankly speaking, I would be at a loss.

Exercise 7 p. 79.

Open the brackets using the appropriate form of the verb

1. If your Eminence (to know) what I and my assistants have put up with from this man, you (to feel) differently about the matter (V) 2. Martel told me he believed they never (to go) through the expedition at all if it (not to be) for Rivares (V). 3. Her jealous reproaches (to act) on his nerves if he (to be) to hear much of them tonight (V). 4. "I doubt whether it could be managed," Marcone answered with a very grave face. "But — if it (to be) possible — you (to do) it?" (V). 5. She had some jewelry — a diamond ring and pin and several other pieces. She (can, to get) fifty dollars for those if she (to go) to a pawnbroker (Dr). 6. Jim, dear, if anger and passion (can, to save) Italy, she (to be) free long ago, it is not hatred that she needs, it is love (V). 7. But I wish you could have accepted the invitation of your English doctor friend; if you (to spend) a month in his house, you (to be) more fit to study (V). 8. I (to talk) to mother if I (to think) of it; but it went right out of my head (V). 9. If I ever sincerely (to love) you, if I (to love) you still, I (not to loathe) so and (to hate) myself for my weakness as I do now (Hrd). 10. How you (to like) it if we (to move) to New York? (W). 11. It (to be) so much better if he (can, to go) straight up to the house and (to walk) in, Lanny thought (Ab). 12. If I (to have) a chance to save a while, I (can, to open) a place that would give us plenty of money (Dr) 13 Will you proceed or it (to help) you if I (to be, to suggest) a word or two? (Sh).

Exercise 8 p. 80.

Paraphrase the sentences using adverbial clauses of condition according to the model.

Model: But for her help I shouldn't have finished the work in time.

If it hadn't been for her help, I shouldn't have finished the work in time.

1. Carrie thought, "But for Hurstwood's laziness, he would find something to do" (after Dr). 2. But for Kirby you would be lying on the floor (after C). 3. Martini said to Gemma, "I can't stand the way he (the Gadfly) behaves to you But for the scandal it would make in the party first to beg a man to come and then to quarrel with him, I should call him to account for it (after V). 4. Old Jolyon was not given to hasty decisions; it is probable that he would have continued to think over the purchase of the house at Robin Hill, but for June's face that told him that he would have no peace until he acted (after Gls).

Exercise 9 p. 80.

Translate the sentences into English paying attention to the use of verb forms in the adverbial clauses of condition.

1. Мейбл сказала, что, если бы она попыталась рассказать (рассказала бы) кому-нибудь о.своей любви к белому человеку, ее бы назвали сумасшедшей (по Абрахамсу). 2. Лэнни понимал, что, если бы он проявил смирение и страх в разговоре с белым человеком, тот не ударил бы его (по Абрахамсу). 3. Герт предупредил Лэнни, что, если он сделает хоть один неверный шаг, это будет стоить ему жизни (по Абрахамсу). 4. Керри не понимала, что, если бы она была одна, она должна была бы платить за комнату и стол и не могла бы тратить весь свой заработок на одежду и другие вещи (по Драйзеру). 5. Друг Давида Копперфильда просил его не думать о нем плохо, если бы их вдруг когда-либо разлучили (по Диккенсу). 6. Джейн сказала своей подруге Эллен, что, если бы она была на ее месте, она бы возненавидела эту злую учительницу, которая постоянно мучила и унижала ее (по Ш. Бронте). 7. Джемма сказала, что, если бы Овод согласился переделать свой памфлет и исключить из него все личные нападки, он (памфлет) мог бы стать очень полезным (по Войнич). 8. Артур сказал Монтанелли, что, если бы он получил свободу, он продолжал бы бороться против религии (по Войнич). 9. Как вы думаете, если бы Монтанелли мог отказаться от религии, может быть, он мог бы спасти Овода? (по Войнич).

Exercise 10 p. 81.

Translate the tale into English paying attention to the use of adverbial clauses of condition.

Почему летучая мышь летает ночью?

(Казахская народная сказка)

Солнце, Луна, Вода и Ветер пришли к царю Соломону с просьбой, не может ли он разрешить им перестать двигаться и стоять неподвижно, так как они устали. Змея пришла просить Соломона дать ей пару крыльев, чтобы она могла летать, а не ползать.

Соломон собрал всех животных и птиц на совет. Летучая мышь, которая пришла последней, сказала: “Если солнце будет стоять неподвижно, то в одном месте будет светло, а в другом темно. А если бы Луна перестала двигаться, было бы то же самое. Если бы ветер стал дуть в одном направлении, вся пыль и песок были бы сметены в одну кучу и не было бы равновесия. А если вдруг вода перестала бы течь и собралась бы в одном месте, то был бы всего один водопой на весь мир”. Еще Летучая мышь сказала, что если Соломон согласится дать Змее крылья, то Змея сгубит все живое.

Просителям не понравились слова Летучей мыши, и Солнце сказало: “Если ты, Летучая мышь, посмеешь летать днем, я тебя сожгу”. А Луна добавила: “А если ты вдруг появишься ночью, при лунном свете, — берегись, а не то я погублю тебя” Ветер сказал, что он унесет ее, Вода ска­зала, что утопит ее, а Змея — что ужалит ее, если Летучая мышь будет говорить Соломону такие вещи.

Царь Соломон дал такой ответ: “Я не могу сделать того, что вы просите. Если бы я так сделал, все вокруг перестало бы двигаться и жизнь прекратилась бы. Я бы не позволил вам остановиться, даже если бы Летучая мышь ничего не говорила”. И потом он добавил, обращаясь к Летучей мыши: “Не летай днем и не летай при лунном свете. Летай только, когда совсем темно”.

С тех пор Летучая мышь летает только, когда совершен­но темно.