IF CLAUSES

If clause
1. Replace the Infinitives in brackets by the correct tense. Give several variants whore
possible:
1. We (play) basketball in the school yard if we (have) a longer break
2. If the weather (be) fine, we (leave) to the seaside.
3. If he (wake) up early in the morning he (can) catch the train.
4. I (speak) to him if I (see) him.
5. If I (win) the contest, it (be) a dream come true.
6. If he (have) his own car, he (drive) to his office every morning.
7. If she (not drop) her studies, she (get) a scholarship in Cambridge.
8. I (have to) dust off my French if we (move) to Paris.
9. If I (arrive) at the hospital at 8 oclock, I (go) on duty at 9.
10. I (speak) to him if I (know) him better.
11. She (not learn) 5 languages if she (not have) a gift for languages.
12. If the bus (arrive) earlier we (not catch) it.
13. I (speak) to him about that if I (see) him.
14. What he (do) if he (be) you?
15. Nobody (blame) you if you (not support) him.
16. If (there be) a staircase at either end of the corridor, the house (be used) by two
separate families.
17. If you (not run) you (be) late.
18. If foreign aid (dry up), the situation (be desperate).
19. If you (not tell) me the truth, I (punish) you.
20. If there (be) any problem, I (contact) you.
2. Finish the following sentences:
1. If no new evidences emerge during the enquiry, .
2. If they didnt keep that animal in cage,
3. If he had not been encouraged by his parents,
4. If you had not been engaged to decorate the house,
5. The children wouldnt enjoy themselves so much playing in the water if
6. He wouldnt have got the job if
7. If many people were concerned about the pollution of the environment
8. If the fire-escape had not been at the back of the building
9. If the police establishes where he was at that time
10. If she goes to the cinema
11. They wouldnt have been able to evolve such a theory after many years of research
if
12. If they were not patient,
13. If they had these repairs, holidays and other expenses reduced
14. He would have extended his visit if

15. If the burgler hadnt turned the corner and found himself face to face with a
policeman,
16. If you fail the next examination,
17. If you need my help,
18. If anyone calls,
3. Replace the Infinitive in brackets by the correct tense:
1. If you work hard you (come out) top.
2. She will get the First Prize if she (answer) all the questions.
3. If I find him at home the problem (be settled).
4. If he (be) ill he would have called for a doctor.
5. If he (come) back she will bring you up, for sure.
6. If the book (have) a large print, grandma would be able to read it.
7. If she (find out) the news she will be happy.
8. If they (be) elected, they would reform the economy.
9. If you (not see) it you wouldnt believe the increase of navigation through the
canal.
10. She (answer) the letter if she knew their address.
11. I (come) to see you at once, if you have no objection.
12. If he didnt come to see her, how (can) he know his mother (be) ill?
13. If you had know him better, you (understand) him.
14. I would have bought it if I (have) the money.
15. What would you have done if you (be) in my place?
16. If you had take your medicine regularly you (recover) sooner.
17. We wouldnt submit the case to your attention if it (not be) a special one.
18. Money laundry wouldnt be possible if the legal framework (be) more severe.
19. If we divided the work between us we (finish) it earlier.
20. She wouldnt have felt betrayed if she (know) the truth.
21. If you (not change) your behavior, you wouldnt have been accepted here.
22. If she (be) really quite human, she wouldnt have understood and forgiven.
23. If the product (not be) so successful, its name wouldnt have become a household
word.
24. He would have become more interested if he (read) the second part of the story
too.
25. You would have gained a lot if you (watch) her working.
26. No new business would have flourished if the economic climate (not change).
4. Rephrase the following sentences using unless or provided (that)
1. If you do not come, it will be no fun.
2. They will receive the good news in due time if you post the letter today.
3. The manager will never receive you if you do not ask for an appointment before.
4. She would understand if you only explained it to her.
5. If we didnt have enough money, we should not be able to manage.
6. You will feel better if you give up smoking.
7. I wouldnt have attended the ceremony if I was not invited to.
8. I will speak to Mary again but only if she apologizes.
9. Children will be not admitted if they are not accompanied.
10. He will begin to eat again if he feels better.

11. The new champion will not keep himself fit if he doesnt run 5 miles a day at least.
12. He wouldnt betray our expectations if he gave us the money back.
13. Tom would have received the permission of his father if he had just good markes
in the final exams.
14. Nobody will believe his claim to be innocent if the police does not establish his
responsibility.
15. He will not be granted another loan if he doesnt clear the previous one.
16. She will speak to us for sure if she is in a good mood.
17. You may leave the table if you have finished your dinner.
18. We shall have fun in the trip if we have good weather.
19. He would have never broken his engagement if he had been told the truth.
20. They will agree to take part into the contest if they get better pay.
21. He wouldnt have complained to me if he hadnt been so desperate.
5. Complete the following sentences:
1. If I were you
2. If you came later
3. If you understood the situation in due time
4. If I knew how to handle the problem
5. If only you could imagine him riding a bicycle
6. If he took into consideration the tenor of the bill of exchange
7. If grandma felt well
8. She wouldnt have finished her work if she
9. There wouldnt be so many illegal immigrants if
10. What would be your opinion if I
11. If you poured the wine carefully
12. He would be out of hospital now if he
13. She wouldnt pretend illness as an excuse if
14. They wouldnt try to prove the truth if
6. React to the following statement using if only and write your own sentences:
1. I do not see my parents very often.
2. He cant swim.
3. If you called for a doctor earlier, we shouldnt have to call for an ambulance.
4. He worries too much.
5. She wont stop gossiping!
6. If the plane had taken off in time, it ought to have been here by now.
7. Flood water covered the fields.
8. Their argument has developed into a bitter quarrel.
9. She leads a double life!
7. Match these utterance (1-14) with their functions (A-C) grouped in three categories of
conditional or hypothetical meaning.
1. Were you to change your mind, wed be glad to reopen negotiations.
2. If I had your address, Id have sent you a postcard.
3. If people didnt drive so fast, there wouldnt be so many fatal accidents.
4. There might never have been an accident if the road had been dry.

5. If we dont leave now, well miss the train.

6. If you came to London, youd probably be able to met your former colleagues.
7. If I were you, I wouldnt waste my time.
8. Unless they offer you a unit price of 13.00, Id advise you not to accept.
9. Youll be given the job provided the interview goes well.
10. Had you asked us, wed certainly have reconsidered our prices.
11. Please, contact us in case you have any queries.
12. They cant win the contract unless they make a better offer.
13. Were I to win a fortune on the lottery, Id stop working and Id start enjoying life
for a change!
14. Suppose you were in my position, what would you do?
IF clauses type 1
A. utterances express developments which are most likely to take place (now or in the
future) if a condition is fulfilled; they speculate about possible conditions and their
probable consequences;
IF clauses type 2
B. utterances express improbable or impossible situation developments as they
depend on conditions which are more unlikely to be fulfilled.
IF clauses type 3
C. utterances express unreal or imaginary situations in the past; they speculate about
past impossibilities.
The first two have been done for you!
Conditional Function
A (Type 1)
B. (Type 2)
C. (Type 3)

Utterance No.
5
6

8. Read this conversation between a secretary and her boss and put the verbs in brackets in
their right form:
Miss C.: I (like) to see you about something personal.
Mr.B.: Well, come in, Miss C. You (care) to sit down?
Miss C: Thank you, you see, I (go) to get married next month and
Mr. B.: Get married! Congratulations!
Miss C: Thank you, but Im afraid it means that I (ought to) give in my notice. I (like) to
leave at the end of the month.
Mr.B.: Realy? I (be) very sorry to hear that. I wish you (be able) to go on working here.
Miss C.: I (stay) if Bill, thats my fianc, werent a Canadian.
Mr.B.: Whats that got to do with it?
Miss C.: Well, Bill often (say) hed earn far more if he (be) back in Canada.
Mr.B.: Oh, I see. What he (do) for a living, by the way?
Miss C: He (be) a chartered accountant.
Mr.B.: But chartered accountants (be) well paid here. How much he (earn) then, if I may
ask?
Miss C: 60 a week.
Mr.B: Well, that (be) very poor for a C.A. You (ought to) tell him hed get far more if he
(come) and (work) for us.
Miss C. Well er you see
Mr.B.: I mean Im sure if I (be) a young C.A. and if my salary (be) that low, Id want to
go to Canada, too. Where does he work, by the way?

Miss C.: Er as a matter of fact, he works here, in your company, Mr.B. Hes in the
Finance Department!
9. Complete sentence b so that it means exactly the same as sentence a.
1. a. We got in from work late, thats why we didnt come to your party.
b. If we , wed
2. a. Provided that you leave a forwarding address, well be able to contact you.
b. Unless you , we shant
3. a. Unless you save some money, youll never be able to start a business.
b. Provided
4. a. He forgot to put his watch on, thats why he was late for the job interview.
b. Had , he wouldnt
5. a. Of course the businesses have been doing better lately: the country is wealthier than
until ten year ago!
b. The businesses wouldnt be
6. a. The buyer isnt entitled to a refund because he hasnt returned the good within 10
days.
b. If the buyer had , hed
7. a. In the event of loss, youll have to get a certificate from the police.
b. Should any loss
8. a. They dont pay their workers well, so they cant attract good workers.
b. If they , theyd be able to
9. a. We didnt renew to contract because they refused to accept our proposals.
b. We would
10. a. Well survive, but first well have to invest in new plant.
b. Well on condition that
10. Imagine that you and a friend were talking about past and present impossibilities,
speculating about the future, such as:
Your friend: Can this be a real diamond? It costs only 1.
You: I dont think so. If it were a real diamond, it would cost much more than that.
1. Are those people really English? They speak with an Italian accent.
2. Do you think that man really has a lot of money? His clothes are so shabby.
3. Does that French student really want to learn English? He talks French all the time.
4. Is this meat really fresh? It has a strange smell.
5. Has she really learned typing? Look how many mistakes shes making and how
slowly shes typing!
6. Do you think well make it on time to the exam? Shall we take the tube or just
walk to the faculty?
7. Did you have a good time on your back-to-nature holiday?
Fun? It rained every day, it was very cold and windy
8. Why didnt you return sooner, then?
Because, to crown it all, when we wanted to leave after two miserable days, the
car broke down! We looked for a mechanic, but there wasnt any around.
9. Why didnt you phone a garage?
There was just one telephone in that godforsaken place and it didnt work!
10. I need some more information about their advertising services. Do you think I
should phone them?

11. Mixed Conditionals

A. Use your imagination to finish the following sentences with present results:
e.g. If we hadnt brought a map with us, wed still be looking for the chalet.
1. If Id won the lottery yesterday,
2. If wed saved all our money for the last few years,
3. If I hadnt had such a good education,
4. If you had taken my advice last year,
5. Had the customer refused to accept the goods,
B.
1.
2.
3.

Here are some facts, speculate about them as in the example given at exercise A.
Jack passed all his exams in winter, so he is taking a long vacation in June. If
The supplier failed to deliver on time, so a penalty clause will be applied. If
Since they didnt take their lawyers advice, they are in a very tight spot now.
Provided
4. Our company has made little profit, so it will have to reduce the final dividend,
which will greatly displease our shareholders. On condition
5. You dont know Harry at all, otherwise you wouldnt have talked like that about
him.
If
12. Make the following more polite by adding a politeness marker such as will/would or
can/could and making some minor changes if necessary:
1. Phone me if you need more information on the titles listed in the catalogue.
2. If you deliver the goods on time, well place our next order immediately..
3. If you drive me to the station, I can catch the 8:30 train.
4. If you should see Mike, give him this message.
5. If they called round tomorrow, we could discuss the final draft then.
6. We would appreciate it if you sent us your summer catalogue by DHL.
7. We would be very grateful if you collected the wrong goods as soon as possible.
8. Wed be willing to give you a 10% discount if you paid in sterling.
9. We want to buy 1,000 computers from you if you give us your best terms .
10. If you fill in this form, well have your luggage sent up to your room..
13. Make comments or give advice to one of your friends based on the following situations.
Use either IF I WERE YOU or IF I HAD BEEN YOU, as appropriate:
Your friend:
1. bought an expensive new suit which fell to pieces after three days.
2. is thinking of climbing Mount Everest alone.
3. wants to drive across the Sahara desert in midsummer.
4. is on holiday and has spent too much money in nightclubs; now he cant afford to
pay his hotel bill.
5. ate some oysters in the Millosa Restaurant, which is not very clean. He is now ill
and you are visiting him.
6. would like to buy a car which you have also seen; you think that it would be a
waste of money even for 200,000,000 lei.
7. paid 400,000,000 for the car despite your advice-it broke down ten minutes after
he had bought it.

8. was stopped by the police for driving too fast through the middle of Bucharest.
9. arrived from the country one weekend expecting to be able to stay with you; he
hadnt sent a letter and you had gone away.
10. is thinking of learning Latin; you think French or Spanish would be more useful.
14. Use your imagination and knowledge of the world to make up chain stories with at least 2
conditional clauses in them, based on the following situations:
A. Imagine what (would / could / might) (not) happen if
B. Imagine what (could / might) (not) have happened if
C. Decide what you (would / could / might / ought to) if
D. Decide what you (would / could / might) have done if
1. You have won 1.000.000 at lottery.
2. Your parents have bought you a car.
3. You turn the corner and came face to face with an old colleague whom you havent
seen for ages.
4. You are looking for funding for your new small business venture. The Bank will give
you a very advantageous start-up loan if you put in a fourth of the necessary money.
You have only a tenth of it, but you also have a very rich uncle.
5. You are looking for a house to buy. You find a beautiful one, quite cheap, but people
say its haunted.
6. At a formal party, a friend introduces you to some guests, she says many things about
you which arent quite true, but sound very impressive.
7. You are negotiating a very important new contract for your company. Your foreign
counterpart makes it clear to you that he will expect you to give him a handsome
bride if you want your company to be selected.
8. Your friend / partner / husband / wife keeps a diary that no one is allowed to see. It is
always kept under lock and key, but one day you see it on the table.
9. The police are about to take your car away because it was parked illegally. One of the
policemen seems to hint that he would let you off if you gave him a bribe of 100,000
lei.
10. You are in a hotel lobby. You see an elderly lady carrying two heavy bags approach
the door. You open the door for her and she gives you a tip, evidently mistaking you
for the hotel doorman.
11. Your deskmate and good friend is cheating at the maths exam. Youve seen her once
before doing it.
12. Your guest begins telling you a joke youve heard before.
13. Your boss praizes you for an excellent idea and gives you a pay rise; however, it isnt
your idea.
14. You see a boy finding a wallet in the street and putting it stealthy in his pocket.
15. Once you saw a fight in the street, there was no one around and you fled.
16. During the last elections, one of the candidates was speaking on TV about his / her
childhood. As youd been at the same school, you realized that that he was telling lots
of lies, but kept quiet.
17. Yesterday evening you went to your favorite restaurant and had sea food. After that
you were very sick and you thought it was food poisoning, so you decided to sue the
restaurant.
18. Three years ago you were made redundant; you spent all your unemployment benefit
on a car as you intended to make your living as a taxi-driver, but the car was stolen
after 1 month.

15. Two managers are discussing for and against investing in more capital equipment. Here
are their reasons:
For
More equipment

Against
More equipment

More goods

Bigger premises

Lower price

Higher overheads

Bigger sales

Cash flow problems

More profit

Production difficulties

Greater dividends

Delay in delivery

Happier shareholders

Complaints from customers

Write down (or role-play) their discussion using conditionals. You may come with
more arguments.
16. Your friend has been offered a job with a large tourist company specialized in rural
tourism. He has his own small business in Bucharest. He is 32 yours old his wife teaches
part-time at the American School; his son is going to school in autumn.
He has made a comparative chart to show you the advantages of working for the
tourist company your role is to point out the benefits of his present position. Bring at least six
arguments each.
Example:
Friend: If I took this job, I (d would (nt) / could (nt) / might (nt) / would (nt)) be
able to / have to .
You: (Yes, but) if you didnt,
Present job
Rural tourism
1. Salary
5.000.000 lei / month
17.000.000 lei / month
2. Job responsibility
a. (number of staff)
6
24
b. (budgeted turnover) 40,000,000 lei
500,000,000 lei
3. Pension
--70% company
30% employee
4. Private health insurance
No
Yes
5. Prospects
Fair
Excellent
6. Holidays
5 weeks / year
4 weeks / year
7. Transport
5 minutes (walk)
30 minutes (tube + bus)
8. Cost of living
X lei
X lei + 5%
17. Translate into English:
1. Am gndit un gnd. Dar gndul pe care l-am gndit nu era gndul pe care am
crezut c l gndesc. Dac gndul pe care am crezut c l gndesc ar fi fost gndul
pe care l-am gndit, nu m-a fi gndit att de mult.
2. Heinrich Heine: Dac romanii ar fi fost obligai s nvee latina, n-ar mai fi avut
niciodat timp s cucereasc lumea.

3. Byron: Ce bine ar fi s-i explice explicaia, dar tiu dac ar explica-o ne-ar
ncurca i mai ru.
4. Profesorul: Te-a ruga s scrii mai clar.
Billy: Dac a scrie mai clar ai ncepe s-mi corectai greelile i mi-ai scdea
nota.
5. Cltorind prin Anglia cu muli ani n urm o americanc intr ntr-un
compartiment de fumtori unde se afl un englez care fuma pip. Dac vzu c
englezul nu se oprete din fumat americanca ncepu s tueasc n aa fel nct s-I
dea englezului de neles, c o deranjeaz fumul. n cele din urm, vznd c
englezul nu o bag de loc n seam i nu-i stinge pipa, americanca i zise:
Dac ai fi gentleman nu ai mai fuma cnd este i o doamn n compartiment.
Dac ai fi o doamn adevrat, i-o ntoarse englezul, nu ai sta ntr-un
compartiment pentru fumtori.
Suprat, americanca i rspunse: Dac ai fi soul meu, i-a da otrav.
Englezul o privi o clip i apoi i zise: Dac a fi soul tu, chiar a lua otrava.
6. Profesorul: Dac ar trebui s pregtii cina pentru ase persoane i ai avea doar 5
cartofi, cum i-ai mpri n mod egal ntre cei ase?
Saddie: I-a face pireu.
7. Lui Einstein i se puse urmtoarea ntrebare: Cum ai proceda dac vi s-ar da 15
minute n care s rezolvai o problem de care ar depinde ntreaga dumneavoastr
via?
Einstein rspunse: Dac a avea 15 minute pentru rezolvarea acestei probleme, 10
minute le-a petrece gndindu-m la ea, n 4 minute a rezolva-o i ntr-un minut
a pune-o pe hrtie.
8. Blaise Pascal a spus: Dac toi oamenii ar ti ce spune unul despre cellalt, n-ar
mai exista nici mcar patru prieteni pe lume.
- Dar cine a spus c, dac n-ar fi fost Blaise Pascal, omul nu ar fi o trestie
gnditoare?!
9. Profesorul: i acum d-le Jones, presupunnd c ai fi chemat s ngrijeti un
pacient care a nghiit o moned, ce metod ai folosi?
Tnrul student n medicin: A trimite dup un preot, domnule. tia scot banul
de la oricine.
10. n atelierul unui artist, o vizitatoare se entuziasma n faa unei picturi: Ce talent
original exclam ea, tare-a dori s pot lua aceste culori magnifice cu mine.
Vi se va mplini dorina, zise pictorul, v-ai aezat chiar pe paleta mea.
11. - i-ar fi cheltuit averea ntr-un an, dac n-ar fi fost soia lui.
- i ea cum l-a mpiedicat?
- I-a cheltuit-o singur.
12. Dac-ar fi dup mine, a interzice folosirea lui dac. Prea se face caz de el:
DAC am avea mai muli bani, DAC a avea o slujb mai bun, DAC
am avea o main ca cea a vecinului nostru din America, DAC ne-am putea
permite s mergem n Grecia la var, DAC ai fi mai atent, DAC mi-ar
surde norocul, DAC ai ctiga la loterie , DAC, dac, dac! Dac
oamenii n-ar mai visa n-am mai avea nevoie de DAC!