Social english Expressing Preference and Reluctance

Which do you prefer/like better	cinema or theatre?
	comedy or melodrama?
	TV programmes or video films?

What would you rather prefer to watch a thriller or an action film?

Why don't we	go to the theatre	tonight?
	go to the pictures
	stay at home and
	watch a video film

Expressing preference:

- I prefer ...

- I like ... better.

Expressing reluctance:

- No, thank you. I don't (really) want to./I don't feel like it./I'm not (really) in the mood.

- Do I/we have to?

- Have I/we got to?

Dialogue

- Michael, why don't we go to the pictures tonight?

- Well, why not this film? Is it a western?

- Yes, that's right.

- Oh, no. I hate westerns.

- What do you want to watch then?

- I don't really know ... the Odeon is showing a new Polish film this evening.

- Polish films! I don't want to. I think they are very boring.

- Oh, all right! Let's stay at home and watch TV then.

- That's what I really prefer to do tonight.

Exercise 1. Match a line in A with a line in B.

	A		B
1)	Why don't you watch "The Adventures of Marco Polo"?	a)	Do we have to?
2)	Shall we go to the pictures?	b)	None. I prefer TV.
3)	Which do you like better Russian or American films?	c)	I don't really feel like it.
4)	How about a musical? "Elvis", perhaps?	d)	I'd rather not. I'm not keen on nature programmes.
5)	Which do you prefer, the cinema or the theatre?	e)	Hike good films.
6)	Let's watch "Underwater World".	f)	Oh, no. I'd prefer something more serious.

Unit 13

THE CHANGING WORLD

Focus on

Use of English

Grammar:

Second Conditional

Third Conditional

"Zero" Conditional

Reading

Modern Society: Good and Bad Points

Speaking

Social English

Invitations

USE OF ENGLISH

Grammar

The Second Conditional

IT IS USED

to talk about an event that is hypothetical, unreal or impossible.

The if-event refers

1) to the present

If he spoke English better, he might get a better job. (But he doesn't speak English very well.)

If I were you, I wouldn't do that. (But I am not you.)

2) to the future

If she asked me, I would help her. (But she probably won't ask me.)

to ask for and give advice.

What would you do if you were me?

If I were you, I wouldn't do that.

NOTES:

1. We often use were instead of was after if, especially in a more formal style

I He She John

+ were

If I were you, I'd study harder. If he were here, he might help us. If she were right, we wouldn't argue. If John were in Moscow, we could go out somewhere.

2. Would is often shortened to 'd.

IF-CLAUSE		MAIN CLAUSE
If +	Past Simple Past Continuous	would might + could	Simple Infinitive
If / were you,		I'd plant some frees round the house.
If I won a lot of money,		I might stop working.
If my car was working,		I could drive you to the station.

MAIN CLAUSE		IF-CLAUSE
would could + might	Simple Infinitive	If +	Past Continuous Past Simple
I'd apply for the job		if I were you.
You would hardly recognize her		if you saw her now.
He could get a grant		if he were studying harder.

Exercise 1. Match these parts to make Second Conditional sentences.

Example: If I weren't so busy, I would do it for you.

1. If I weren't so busy, 2. If it were a little warmer, 3. If she got a new job, 4. If I had their address, 5. If my friend did more homework, 6. If it weren't so expensive,

a. I could write and ask them. b. I'd go to the cinema more often. c. she might earn a bit more money. d. I would do it for you. e. we could go for a swim. f. she would get better marks.

Exercise 2. Write these sentences putting the verbs in brackets into the correct tense.

Example: If I had (have) some money, I'd give you some.

1. If you tried again, you ___ (succeed).

2. If he left his bicycle outside, someone ___ (steal) it.

3. What would you do if you suddenly ___ (win) a million dollars?

4. If she ___ (not/pass) the exam, she'd have to take it again.

5. I could help you if you ___ (trust) me more.

6. His car ___ (be) a lot safer if he bought new types.

7. Where would you like to live if you ___ (not/live) in Moscow?