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FAKULTET POLITICKIH NAUKA

UNIVERZITETA U BEOGRADU

Conditional Sentences

CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

;\ Conditional Sentence contains an adverbial "if clause", which states the condition, and a main clause which indicates the result of the condition. They may be introduced by if, unless (if not), and by less common indicators of condition such as provided that, in case, suppose, supposing:

If it had not been for John, we should have lost the match.

Provided that they had plenty to eat and drink, the men were happy. Unless Torn improves his work, he'll fail the exam.

I'll lend you money on condition that you return it within six months. In case you feel ill on the boat, take these pills.

They are classified into three types: Real (Open Condition), Potential (Hypothetical but Possible) and Unreal (Hypothetical and Impossible).

TYPE 1. REAL. OPEN CONDITION. They express a future idea that is practical and possible. The verb in the "if clause" is in the present tense and the verb in the main clause is in the future tense. It is also possible to use may, can, or must. The meaning is of course different. A great many combinations of tenses may be used in Real Conditional Sentences.

If present simple future or imperative
If you see him you will heal' the news.
you have time come to my place. EXERCISE 1. Complete these sentences with the correct form of the verbs in brackets.

Ifyau (not go), I (call) the police.

If you don't go, I shall call the police.

1. I (repair) the car ifI (can) find spare parts.

2. If it (stop) snowing, we (go) for our usual walk. .

3. I f you (be) at home, I (give) you the record you gave me to listen to.

4. [f I (win) the first prize in lottery, I (buy) a computer for my school.

5. If he (bring) that woman into the house, she (ruin) them all.

6. Provided that you (keep) very still, nobody (notice) you.

7. He (get) into trouble unless he (behave) better. S. [f you (see) him tomorrow, (tell) him the news.

9. I (pay) for both of us on condition you (settle) it afterwards.

10. If you (sign) these papers now, I (not bother) you further.

11. If I (see) him this morning, I (ask) him to lend me his car.

12. If it (rain) tomorrow, I (stay) at home.

13. If he (can), he (come) to hear the professor's lecture on computers.

14. I (take) a lot of photographs if I (go) on holiday to England.

15. He (ask) you to help him ifhe (be) in danger.

16. If John (arrive) tonight, there (be) room for him in my flat.

17. What they (see) if they (look) out of the window?

18. His parents (be) unhappy, if he (run) away from school.

19. If I (go) to the post office today, I (send) the parcel.

20. I (settle) the bill now, in case you (be) busy later.

21. What you (give) me ifI (find) your lost dog?

22. I (tell) Father if I (see) you smoking.

23. How you (spend) the afternoon if the weather (be) fine?

24. I (not come) to the party, unless you (invite) me.

25. Ifhe (pass) his exam next month, he (take) ajob as a teacher

in a primary school.

26. If you (take) hold of this rope, we (pull) you out of the river.

27. If you (take) on too many jobs, you (not do) a good job of any of them.

28. If you (be) good at English, you (can) do this exercise.

29. You (not catch) the train unless you (take) a taxi.

30. If you (not take) the books to the library this week, we (pay) a fine.

EXERCISE 2. Complete these statements with the correct form of the verb.

. 1. If the turbine speed (increase), the governor automatically (come) into operation.

2. If the supply of coolant (fail), emergency controls(operate) immediately

3. If the nucleus (contain) an excess of neutrons, one or more of them (be converted) into protons.

4. Neutrons (be admitted) if the uranium (be fissioned).

5. The cylinder temperature (rise) if the quantity of steam flowing through the cylinders (be increased).

6. Unless the steam (be superheated), higher pressures (be) necessary.

7. If an indicator (be fitted), the pressure at any part of the stroke (may be) measured.

8. If current (be passed) through a solenoid, a magnetic field (be set up).

9. lfno external forces (act) on a system, the momentum of the system (remain) constant.

10. Harmful radiations (result) unless the isotopes (be shielded) properly.

ill

,

1 I. A sudden loss of lift (be experienced) if the aircraft speed (fall) below

a certain level.

12. The conveyor belt (be) liable to slip off the drive if it (stretch).

13. If the fuel (reach) this critical temperature, it (ignite) spontaneously.

14. If the combustion gases (not be diluted), the temperatures at the turbine (be) too high.

15. The mixture (may ignite) spontaneously unless the combustion chamber (be designed) properly.

'1\.1. Herbert. The Structure of Technical English. p. 106.

EXERCISE 3. Put the verbs in brackets into a suitable form.

1. If you (move) to London, you won't see your parents so often.

2. If you (listen) to my story, I am sure you will find it amusing.

3. What I (say) ifhe rings up while you are out?

4. If you ask him for help nowadays, he (be) always ready to give it.

5. Unless you enter for the exam now, it (be) too late to do it tomorrow.

6. Supposing you tell your father later, what he (do) then?

7. People (be sent) to prison if they are convicted of stealing.

8. If it (be) fine tomorrow, We shall start the harvest.

9. If you ask me out to dinner, I (accept) it with pleasure.

10. You (lend) me your camera if I ask you?

11. If she (promise) to be here, she certainly will come.

12. If you study hard, you certainly (succeed) at last.

13. If I earn a lot of money, I (buy) that house by the sea.

14. If I (see) her. I will give her your message.

15. If you (save) carefully, you will be able to go on holiday .

16. If she (tell) me the truth, she will have nothing to fear.

17. They (kill) him if he tries to escape again.

18. He (cause) an accident if he doesn't take more care.

19. If she (be) impoverished, I will be truly glad to relieve her.

20. If you (enter) his garden again, you (get) in serious trouble.

21. You won't reach your destination in time unless you (take)

the right way.

22. If I see him again., I (not say) a word.

23. If you (not let) Mary come, loan won't come either. 24 . .If today never ends, there (can) be no tomorrow.

25. Give this message to John if you (see) him.

EXERCISE 4. Clauses with unless. Change the if-clause

in the sentences below to unless-clauses. Follow the example.

He will be here by 8 o'clock ifhe doesn't have car trouble on the way. He will be here by 8 o'clock unless he has car trouble on the way.

I. He 'll lose his hearing if the operation isn't successful.

2. You 'll get a headache if you don 't wear glasses.

3. We'll go for a drive in the country if it doesn 't rain.

4. He ought to graduate in June if he doesn't jail his exam.

5. I'll come to your party if 1 don't have to work.

6. He is coming on the 15th if there is no change ojplan.

7. The trip to town takes half an hour if there is no traffic delay.

R. He can't afford to go to college tf he doesn't win a scholarship.

9. That play isn't worth seeing !( the star is not appearing in it.

10. He will get in serious trouble if he doesn't behave better.

II. The school should be finished next year if there is no strike of the

construction workers.

12. The bill will become law if the President doesn't veto it.

13. There will be a serious water shortage if we don 't get rain soon.

14. She hopes to buy that painting if her husband doesn't object. • A Practical English Grammar, Collier-Macmilan International, p. 196

EXERCISE 5. Finish these sentences, taking care to use the correct tenses.

If you want to save money •...

If you want to save money. you will have to give up eating in expensive restaurants.

1. Unless you study very hard ...

2. Someone will steal your bicycle ...

3. If you don't start preparing your exams at once ...

4. What will you do ... ? .

5. He will be so disappointed if ...

6. It will be better for the children ...

7. If you follow my instructions ...

S. If you can drive me to London before dark this day ... 9. Please give kind regards to Peter if ....

to. We'll be all right provided ...

11. If you don't like to read books, why ... .,

12. If you touch these things again ...

13. If you want to reach the station in time for the train ...

14. In case you fail your examination in June, ...

15. [won't bc able to understand you [(,. I'll write \·OU 3 cheque as soon as

17. If [ don't get a prize in the championship next year ...

18. If you frighten a flock of birds ."

19. ['II bring my raincoat in case ...

20. If one pencil can write fifty thousand words. how many words ... ?

EX ERCISE 6. Write if sentences to refer to the following situations.

Tell your mother the truth. I am sure she will like it.

If you tell your mother the truth, I am sure she will like it.

I. A friend has decided to walk along the parapet of a high building.

2. Someone wants you to lend him a large sum of money.

3. You have been asked to dinner, but the date is unsuitable: however, you would like to go.

4. Your car has broken down on the open road. You want your companion to stay in it while you fetch help.

5. You arc commenting on a lazy fellow student's chance of passing an exam.

He is quite clever.

6. Some friends of yours have been staying at your house at your expense for rather longer than you like.

• James Day: An Advanced English Practice Course p. 4 \

7. Why do you let this child eat so much? He will be too fat.

S. He has been watching TV for two hours. He hasn't done his homework yet. 'J. The weather reports say it will be nice tomorrow.

10. My brother hopes he will get some extra money this week; that's why he is speaking about a new TV set.

11. I haven't been introduced to that man. I don't know who he is. so I can't invite him to the party.

12. [would like to read that book, but I can't find it.

13. The mechanic will repair my car next week. but I must. find some spare parts first.

14. They promised Mary to send her to the seaside in July: that's why she wants to pass all her exams before that.

15. Do the rooms first, then you can go to the cinema.

EXERCISE 7. Find the right endings jar these beginnings.

18. Ako ne budes opet napravio istu gresku, pozvace te da sa njima

provedes odmor.

19. Ako zakasnim, otici ce bez mene.

20. Hoces Ii da posetis Dzonsonove ako odes u London?

21. Aka se kupas u hladnoj vodi, razboleces se.

22. Ako ne dodjes do 10 sati, otici ce bez tebe.

23. Aka ponovo zakasnis, moraces da se izvinis.

24. Mozes da zakasnis pod uslovom da sutra dufe ostanes,

25. Kako ees da udjes u kucu ako vrata budu zatvorena?

BEGINNINGS
1. [fyou don't hurry.
2. If you wish to send a parcel.
3. You will soon be ruined
4. If I don't go to the dentist.
5. What will she do
6. She will visit her grandparents
7. What will Mrs Brown say
8. The new school will be opened in
September
9. You won't pass your exam
10. If he doesn't write soon about it,
II. I'll be able to type that letter quickly
12. If you want to be a model,
13. If you eat bread and cakes.
14. If I can't find the key,
15. Your letter will be illegible ENDINGS

a) I'll have to send for a locksmith to

open the door.

b) lfyou dictate it to me.

c) I'll have to go there to see for myself.

d) unless you work hard.

e) if you don't get the tickets.

f) you run the risk of missing the train.

g) I'll spend another sleepless night.

h) You'll have to fill in a form.

TYPE U. POTENTIAL. HYPOTHETICAL BUT POSSmLE.

Such sentences make a hypothesis which may be contrary to fact in the present with the past tense in the if clause and the conditional present in the main clause. They express a condition which cannot be fulfilled in the present, i.e at the moment of speaking or is unlikely to be fulfilled.

i) If they send her the money for the

journey.

j) if the heating system is installed

k) if you carry on like this.

I) unless you pay a proper attention to

the handwriting.

m) if she is late again.

n) you'll never get slim.

0) you'll have to lose some weight.

If past simple conditional present
If he came to my place he would see me
I found the book I would buy it
he were here he would know the answer * WERE is used for all persons.

EXERCISE 8. Translate into English:

The idea of futurity can also be expressed in hypothetical conditions by the same construction as is used for the present.

If he did his best next term, he would succeed.

1. Bite pametnije aka veceras ostanes kod kuce,

2. Ako pocnes odrnah da radis, polozices sve ispite do juna.

3. Ako osetis da ne mozes da uradis ovo vefbanje, pozovi me.

4. Ako odes na Trafalgar trg videces mnogo stranih turista.

5. Ako se bude ponasao lose, necu razgovarati sa njim.

6. IzaCi eu na kafu u 10 sati, ako zavrsim esej.

7. Pornoci cu ti da uradis domaci zadatak ako prvo sam pokusas. 8, Tetelefonira~u ti veceras u slucaju da ne dodjes,

9. Ako mi pozajmis nesto DOVca veceras, vraticu ti sutra.

10. Ako procitaS njegovo pismo, bice ti sve jasno.

11. Nece poloZiti ispite ako odmah ne pocne da radi.

12. Zasto mi ne kaies da ces leto da provedeS u Grckoj ako kupis nova kola?

13. Ako veceras ostanes kod kuce, javicu ti sta sam uradio.

14. Ako mi ne otvoris vrata, uti cu kroz prozor.

15. Sta ces da radis ako veceras pada kisa?

l6. Ako me po novo izdas, nikada ti vise nista necu reci. 17. Need imati nikakve probleme, ako odmah odes kuci,

EXERCISE 9. Complete these sentences with a suitable form oj the verbs in brackets.

If my children (speak) to me like that I (be) angry.

If my children spoke to me like that, I would be angrv

1. What you (do) if you (change) your job?

2. If! (win) a lot of money, I (buy) a house in the country. 3, You (go) in for motor racing if you (have) a chance to. 4. Ifhe (no be) driven off by the noise, the dog (bite) him.

5, If the Smiths (have) a good dog, they (feel) safe when they were away

from home.

6; IfI (be) you. I (leave) as soon as possible.

7. If(go) to bed now, I (not sleep).

8. If they (not mark) the end of each day on a calendar, they (lose) count of the passing days-

lJ. I (finish) this work before going to bed If I (not be) so tired.

10. If you (live) In Germany, you (know) probably much more of its history I I. What you (do) if you (be) a millionaire')

12. If you (be) John and (receive) that telephone call, what you (do)'!

13. TIle child (be) far better-tempered, ifhe (go) to bed earlier.

14. If you (have) the opportunity of talking to any very well-known person in

the world, whom you (consider) most worth meeting?

IS. What (happen) if you (lose) your train ticket?

16. What you (do) if you (find) yourself in the wrong train?

17. If this room (have) more comfortable seats, it (be) always full. IS. If I (have) a million dollars I (buy) everything in the stores.

19. lfhis business (be) good enough, his family (not be) poor.

20. If I (know) German, I (go) to the theatre to see the play.

21. They (do) the exercise if they (know) how.

22. TIley (tell) me everything about the case if they (know) it.

23. If he (know) her better, he (not say) he would marry her.

24. If he (go) to England, he (become) a fluent speaker of English.

25. If he (drop) that glass, it (break) into pieces.

EXERCISE 10. Put the verbs in brackets in a suitable form.

1. If they used the tape recorder more often they (improve) their accent.

2. If I were a footbaIler, I (have) a lot of money.

3. If you wanted to be a good pianist, it (be) necessary to practise many

hours every day.

4. I (know) what to say if the professor called on me. .

5. I don't know whether my life (be) more interesting ifI gave up drinking.

6. If! (give up) alcohol, I would be much healthier.

7. If you knew what I am sometimes, you (pity) me. S. You (go) to the moon if you had a chance to?

9. They would go to the seaside every day ifit (be) fme.

10. If they (know) how happy I am, they would be pleased, I'm sure.

11. You don't look well. I should take a long holiday ifI (be) you.

12. I (get rid of) that old bicycle if I were you.

13. If there were a fire, you (have) to come down the fire escape.

14. I knew that if I stayed longer, I (have) no chance of escaping.

15. If it all happened again, he (behave) in exactly the same way.

16. If he (not be) clever at this job, I would ask him to do something else.

17. If you could rearrange your own education, what subjects you (omit) and what you (add)?

EX ERCISE II. Finish cdr each sentence in an interesting way, !okin;; care 10 lise a suitable tense:

He would be able (0 help me if he ."

He would he able to help me ifhe were here

1. lf I had a chance (0 spend a year in London ....

2. r r YOIl were a tourist guide, what ... ?

3. People would have to tighten their belts if ."

4. r would support his proposal provided ..

5. I told him that if the cap StU ted him ..

6. Would you prefer to go by boat or by plane if you ... ?

7. If you tried 10 get on an English bus out of tum, the other people ..... ll. If my hostess weren't too busy, she ...

'>. lf you wanted to meet a glamorous film star, what ... ?

Ill. J would pay lor everything from my current account here if ... I 1. It wouldn't do you any harm, if you ...

12. If' you wanted to go in for politics. you ....

13. You would have a nervous breakdown, if you ... J ~. H ow would you behave if you ... ?

15. rr my car broke down today light in the middle of the street, I ....

EXERCISE 12. the following are situations and their results. ,)'ay what the results would he if the situations were different.

I don't want to go for a walk. It's too late. If it were not late, r would go for a walk.

I. The room isn't large. I won't fake it.

2. The record yo II gave me is not interesting. I won 't listen to it.

3. I won't go to the doctor's. I feel well.

4. My brother wants to buy a car but he has no mOlley.

5. He won't study technology. It's too difficult for him.

6. Sam hasn't got a car. He can't go to Greece on holiday.

7. He won't return the book to the library. He hasn't read it yet.

8. The milk is too hot. The child won't drink it.

9. He won't enjoy the party. He is very tired.

I (). I lost his address, so I can't write to him.

II. 1 live a long wiry from the school; that's why I can't go to my lessons onfoot.

12. Iff! drives very fast; that's why he has so man,'! accidents.

13. lYe shan't take John to the party. He is not old enough,

14. He doesn't take any exercise; that's why he is so fat.

15. He looks unattractive because he never shaves.

16. lYe are wet through because we couldn't find shelter.

17. I am not from here. so I can't direct you.

18. I don't know where he lives, so I can't write to him.

19. He doesn't pay his staff properly: that's why they leave his firm.

20. Mv house is jar from other houses. so J don't like being alone at night.

21. Their rug is always dirty because he always enters the room with his shoes on.

22. She rarely speaks English: that's why her English is so poor. .

23. You don't study English regularly; that's why you make so many mistakes.

24. He eats too much: that's why he is so fat.

2S. Ile doesn't like to work overtime, so he doesn't earn as much as J do.

I<:Xi<~RCISE 15. Give advice to the following people. Use "If l were you, I'd .... ",

A student who doesn't work very hard, If! were you, I 'd work a little harder.

EXERCISE 13. Make sentences using the cues given below: that book / it I would read that book if you gave it to me.

1. A man who Is very fat and unhealthy.

2. A. friend with a car that often breaks down.

3. Someone with a very bad headache.

4. A person who believes everything someone tells him.

5. A man who wants to get a job in Canada bUI can 'I speak English.

6. A student who is always late for classes.

7. A mar. with a high blood pressure.

8. A man who doesn't feel well.

9. A man who spends a lot of money on cigarettes.

10. A friend who neglects his own appearance.

11. A man who always puts off till tomorrow what he can do today.

12. A friend who always drives his car very fast.

13. A man who wants to invest a lot of money in a private bank.

14. A friend who has no money and wants to buy a car.

1. in June I another one in September 10. in lottery / for my school
2. early tonight / the doctor 11. the pool I a flock of ducks
3. at English / this exercise 12. by bus / horne earlier
4. this week I a fmc 13. better meals I healthier
5. the post office / the parcel 14. a car I to school
6. tonight / in my flat 15. more careful/fewer accidents
7. this morning / his car 16. the beach / weather
8. by airmail / in time 17. that car / expensive
9. at home/you 18. a tourist guide / the tourists EXERCISE 14. Find the right endings Jar these beginnings.

EXERCISE 16. Translate into English.

BEGINNINGS ENDINGS
1. I'd go out : a) he might die of suffocation.
2. This soup would taste better b) I'd go to the doctor's.
3. I wouldn't mind living in England c) if we had everything we wanted.
4. II he were not woken lip every hour d) if it weren't raining.
during the night
5. If I were you, e) if it had more soli in it.
6. Would we be happy f) you would understand it.
7. You would be taking a great risk g) if the weather were better.
S. II men were more reasonable, b) if I knew it myself.
9. [ should show you how to do it i) there would be no more war.
10. If you read that book carefully. j) if you invested your money in lhat
bank.
11. If the sun didn't shine. k) I would spend my holiday abroad.
12. What woutd you do I) if it weren't so expensive.
13. Th teacher would not be angry with m) fruit wouldn't ripen.
you
14. Would you buy that car n) if you found a thief in your house.
15. If I had enough money, 0) if you came to school in time today 1. Kad bi rni pozajmio novae, ja bib mogao da kupim nova kola.

2. Da imam vremena, isao bih u pozoriste.

3. Da sam na tvom mestu, ja bih drugacije reagovao.

4. Sve bi bilo drugaCije kad bih znao njegov broj telefona,

5. Da mogu, ja bib mu pornogao.

6. Kada bih znao engleski bolje, ne bih pisao pismo na srpskom jeziku.

7. Sta biste radili kad biste imali veci stan?

8. Sta biste mu rekli kad biste ga sada videli?

9. Kad bib vam rekao sta je uradio, ne biste mi verovali.

10. Kad bib znao da res tada biti kod.kuce, ja bih te posetio.

11. Ne bismo vas eekali da znarno kuda da idemo.

12. Kad bih ostao u Engleskoj duie, govorio bih engleski tecnije,

13. Kad bih bio na tvom mestu, ne bib sada bio ovde.

14. Kad bih imao bolji recnik i prevod bi bio bolji.'

15. Kad bih znao da ce i Petar doci, nebih ih cekao.

TYPE 3. UNREAL. HYPOTHETICAL AND IMPOSSIBLE. These sentences express an idea contrary to fact in the past with the past perfect in the "if clause" and the conditional perfect in the main clause. TIlt; condition in these sentences was not fulfilled in the past.

EXERCISE is. /)/I( the verb in a suitable form.

Why didn't you come') If you (come), WI.: (enjoy) ourselves much more. -. We (:ltch-NEGA T1VE) the train if we (take-NEGATIVE) that taxi: thank heaven. one was waiting,

3. If Ludwig 11 (pay-NEGATIVE) Wagner's debts. the opera house at '~avrell(h (build-NEGATIVE PASSIVE).

~. If the Crusades (take place-NEGATIVE), we (have-NEGATIVE) all the c',:lentlfic progress of later ages.

<-: : c' lui ius C:1C~J r Imurder-NEGA TIVE PASSIVE), Shakespeare probablv !',vritc-NEGATIVE) a play about him

Ii. If Beethoven (be) a modern pop-singer he (die) a rich man .

. ~ ! f those people (talk-NEGATIVE) so loudly, we (hear) what the lecturer actuallv said.

8. If Wren (design) our school, it (look) mueh more attractive.

9. If you (be born) ill England eight hundred years ago, you probably (be)

a serf on some great estate. .

10. If Shakespeare (live) in the twentieth century, he quite possibly (write) plays for television.

• James nay: An Advanced English Practice Course, p. 50

erfect conditional

au would have seen Mar'

If the if clause contains were, had, should, it can be replaced by a clause without "if" by inversion of the verb and subject:

Were he here now, he would solve the problem.

Had you asked me, I would have told you the answer.

EXERCISE 17. Complete these sentences with the correct form of the verbs in brackets.

If he (work) so hard the whole year. he (succeed)

If he had worked so hard the whole year, he would have succeeded.

1. If you (tell) me you were coming, I (prepare) dinner for you.

2. If the dog (be) well trained, it (come) when you called.

3. If my plan (be) successful, I (make) a profit of a thousand pounds.

4. I (take) you along with me if you (promise) to be good.

5. If we (know) what would happen, we (act) differently.

6. If it (not be) for the girl, I probably (die).

7. It (be) much better for him if he (leave) the place two days ago.

8. [fyou (be) him, you (do) what he did?

9. If I (not tell) him the answer, he still (not solve) the problem.

10. What (happen) to Crusoe ifhe (not hunt) for food? .'

Ll. If he (forget) to take his pencil along, he (not be allowed) to wnte his

essay.

12. She (do) everything for his happiness if she (be) in a position to do so.

L3. If! (learn) this tense in secondary school, I (not worry) about it now. 14. I (speak) to him if! (recognise) him.

L5. They (not have) any trouble at the customs if they (buy) only things for

their personal use.

16. If they (arrive) at the hotel earlier, they (get) a suitable room.

17. If you (stop) smoking, you probably (feel) healthier.

18. I (be) glad if you (lend) me some money.

19. Ifhe (not forget) his wallet, he (have) enough money to pay the taxi.

20. It (be) better Jf she (not come) to the party that night.

EXERCISE [9. Finish these sentences.

1. If he hadn't lent me his car that moment, I ...

2. If he hadn't invited me to the party, I ...

3. They would have been there if ...

4. If the window of the house hadn't been open, the thief ...

5. My parents would never have forgiven me if ...

6. If I had known that he was so busy, I ...

7. If John had eaten all those sweets, he '"

8. If they all had done what they said they would, . 'J. Suppose you had taken the wrong train, what ... ?

1U. I would never have gone to see that place unless

11. If he hadn't been absent from school that day, ...

12. She would never have married him if ..

13. Would you have passed the examination last time if you ... ?

14. if thcv hadn'; iound a place to hide. they ..

15. Suppose you had won a big sum of money in the lottery. what ')