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LESSON 8

Lesson Crime dosen’t pay

Review of conditionals
A conditional sentence is a sentence which has a condition and a result.
If I have enough time, I visit my uncle in prison every week.
If he has enough money, he won’t shoplift.
If the warden gets a new secretary, he will be very happy.
The lawyer will still meet with the prisoner if the prisoner has no money.

If is usually used in conditional sentences. There are two clauses (a part of a sentence which con-
tains a subject and verb) in conditional sentences. The clause beginning with if is the if clause. It
is a dependent clause. The other clause is called the main or result clause.

In the first sentence, if I have enough time is the if clause.

I visit my uncle every week is the result clause.
In the fourth sentence, if the prisoner has no money is the if clause.
The lawyer will still meet with the prisoner is the result clause.

A sentence can begin with the if clause or the result clause. If a sentence begins with the if clause,
a comma must follow this clause. If a sentence begins with a result clause, a comma is not
necessary.

First conditional (real conditional)

In the first conditional, the verb form in the if clause is in the simple present
tense.
In the first conditional, the verb in the result clause is in the simple present
tense or the simple future tense.

Let’s look at some more examples.

If the prisoners don’t eat breakfast, they always get hungry in the prison yard.
The simple present is used in the result clause to express a habitual activity or situation.

A person will go to jail if he commits a burglary.

Either the present simple or future simple is used in the result clause to express a predictable fact.

If Tom doesn’t shoplift an apple, he will have nothing to eat tonight.

The simple future is used in the result clause when the sentence concerns a particular activity or
situation in the future.

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If the family isn’t home tomorrow, the burglar will rob their house.
The simple present can also be used in the if clause when the sentence concerns a particular activi-
ty in the future.

Exercise 1: Complete the sentences.

Warden: If I ________ (like) the prisoner, I _____________ (not put) him in

solitary confinement.

If I ___________________ (not like) the prisoner, he ____________ (get) a

TV in his room.

The new TV room _______ be used today if the prisoners _______ (be) good.

Arsonist: If I _______ (burn) that building, I _______ be caught.

I will _________ (start) the fire in the basement if there are people inside.

If it _______________ (be) a good fire, I _________________ (stay) and watch it.

Prisoner: If I ____________ (not want) to go to solitary confinement, I will be good.

I will escape if I _________ (have) the chance.

If I ___________ (find) a knife, I will make a hole in the wall.

Second conditional (untrue conditional)

A sentence in the second conditional expresses something that is not true in
the future or present.
If I were a warden, this prisoner wouldn’t be here.
The shoplifter would be taken to jail if I were the shop owner.
If the arsonist had some petrol, he would start a fire.
Larry wouldn’t be a burglar if he won the lottery

In the first sentence, in truth, I am not the warden.

In the second sentence, in truth, I am not the shop owner.
In the third sentence, in truth, the arsonist doesn’t have petrol.
In the fourth sentence, in truth, Larry is a burglar because he hasn’t won the lottery.

In the if clause, the simple past is used. In the result clause, the modal auxiliary
would + simple form is used.

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LESSON 8
Exercise 2: Fill in the blanks with appropriate verbs in the second conditional.

Example: If the pickpocket ________ enough time, he

_________________ five wallets.
If the pickpocket had enough time, he would steal five wallets.

The prisoner ________________ (write) to his parents if the guard

____________ (give)him a pen.

If the shoplifter ___________ (have)a larger coat, he ____________________ (have)to hide more
things.

The warden ______________ (be) friendlier if the prisoners ________________ (behave).

The criminal ______________ (have ) a better lawyer if he ________ (have) money.

If the police _________________ (do) anything, the crime rate ___________________ (increase).

People ______________ (take) right into their own hands if they )______________ (carry) guns.

The shoplifter _______________ (smile) if the police _________________ (catch) him.

The streets ______________ (be) safer if more police officers ________________ (walk) around.

If the pickpocket __________ (have) a job, he _________________ (steal) wallets.

Third conditional
(past or unreal conditional)
The third conditional can be used to describe ideas about past situations or
events that did not take place.
If the prisoner had had enough time, he would have made a new weapon.
The warden would have been angry if he had known the guard gave the
prisoner a cigarette.
If the pickpocket had been quicker, he wouldn’t have been caught.
The burglar would have been rich if he had emptied the safe.

The past perfect tense is used in the if clause. Would + have + past participle are used in the
main clause.

Let’s look at these examples.

If the prisoner had told me about the problem, I would have helped him.
In truth, the prisoner did not tell me about it. It’s an untrue past action so the third conditional is
used.

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If the burglar had studied the house plan better, he wouldn’t have been arrested.
In truth, he didn’t study the house plan. He was arrested. It’s an untrue past action so the third
conditional is used.

The prisoner wouldn’t have broken his arm if he hadn’t slipped on the ice.
In truth, the prisoner slipped on the ice and broke his arm. It’s an untrue past action so the third
conditional is used.

In speech, the auxiliary verbs are almost always contracted.

If you’d told me, I would have helped the prisoner.

Exercise 3: Fill in the blanks with the correct tense of the verbs.

Example: If the arsonist ____________ (have) more gasoline, he

__________________ (set) more fires.
If the arsonist had had more gasoline, he would have
set more fires.

Court _________________________ (start) on time if the prisoner

_____________(be) so unruly.

If the police ______________ (find) some evidence, the woman ________________ (not
release) from jail.

The burglary )______________________ (happen) if they _______________ (be) at home.

If the accused ____________________ (commit), the jury _____________________ (be) forgiv-

ing.

If the criminal _______________ (be) rich, he ____________________________ (have) better

representation.

If the police _____________________ so quickly, they ________________________ the murderer.

The shoplifter ___________________ (break) his leg if he __________________ (try) to run

away.

The guard ______________________ (still have) his job if he __________________ (hit) a

prisoner.

If it ___________________ (rain), the prisoners ___________________ (go) outside.

The crime rate ________________________ (decrease) if the police _________________ (do)

anything.

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LESSON 8
Progressive verb forms in
conditional sentences
In conditional sentences, progressive verb forms are used in
progressive situations.
If it weren’t raining now, the prisoners would play basketball in the yard.
If I weren’t living in New York, I would visit my brother in San Quentin Prison.
If it had not been raining, the prisoners would have played basketball in the yard.
If I had been living in California, I would have been working at San Quentin Prison.

Could, might and should in conditional sentences

First let’s look at could.
If I were a prisoner, I couldn’t visit my grandmother.
If Tim could sing as well as his mother, he wouldn’t be in prison.
Lou could have gone to the prison to visit his brother if he had had a
bus ticket.

In these sentences, could means the ability to do something.

In the first sentence, couldn’t visit means wouldn’t be able to visit.
In the second sentence, could sing means was able to sing.
In the third sentence, could have gone means would have been able to go.

Now, let’s look at might.

Jack might go to prison if he doesn’t find a good lawyer.
If Henry was a better person, he might not be in prison.
If Frank had told me about his shoplifting problem, I might have been able to help him.

In these sentences, might refers to possibility.

In the first sentence, might go means maybe he will go.
In the second sentence, might not be means maybe he would not be.
In the third sentence, might have been able to means maybe he would have been able to.

Let’s finish with a look at should.

If the prisoner should call, tell him I will speak with his lawyer tomorrow.
If there should be another prison riot, the safety of the guards would be in jeopardy.

In these two sentences, should call and should be indicate a degree of doubt or uncertainty.

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Sentences without if clauses
With were, had (past perfect) and should, sometimes if isn’t used. In these
cases, the subject and verb are inverted.
Should the prisoner call, please take a message.
Had I known, I would have called the jail.
Were I you, I wouldn’t steal that.

Exercise 4: Fill in the blanks with an appropriate verb. Use could, might, or should, if appropriate.

Example: If Tom were a policeman, he ___________________ a gun.

If Tom were a policeman, he could carry a gun.

If the prisoner _____________________, shoot him.

If Kevin had told me about his problem, he ____________________ in prison today.

If I were you, I _______________________them the truth.

____________ I known, I would have sent money for bail.

I _______________________ them if I had known they were criminals.

If police officers patrol the streets, there __________ less crime.

He _______________________________ to jail if he gets caught.

If I __________________ my car, someone might steal it.

If the pickpocket had run faster, he ___________________________.

What ____________ you _________ if you were me?

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LESSON 8
Reading
Read the story and answer the questions.

After the Revolutionary War, Americans quickly got rid of the whip-
ping posts and the gallows used to deter crime under British rule. In
place of these, they built penitentiaries. However, they were soon
unhappy with these prisons which didn’t seem to reform criminals. If
these didn’t work, what could they do?
The Auburn System of prisoner detainment began with the open-
ing of Auburn State Prison in 1923. It didn’t start out as a new kind
of prison. In the beginning, there was only congregate (group) sleep-
ing. Three years later, prisoners began to be housed in individual
cells.
Because prisoners were out of control and prison held no fear for
criminals, the State Legislature felt something had to be done. Soon,
flogging (whipping) of prisoners and solitary confinement were
authorized. One aspect of prison life which was different at Auburn was the total silence expected
of the prisoners.
Everything at Auburn prison passed in total silence. Nothing could be heard except the steps
of the marching prisoners and the sounds from the workshops. The only sound heard at night,
when the prisoners had retired to their cells, was the sound of death. Some people compared
these sleeping areas to catacombs where there were a thousand humans in a desert solitude.
Prisoners were forbidden to receive visitors or mail. They were totally buried from the world. They
were even forbidden to speak to each other. Guards tiptoed at night to detect whispers. Inmates
heads always had to be turned toward the guard so he could see lip movements. If a prisoner
spoke, he would be subjected to swift punishment. Prisoners were flogged for speaking and
flogged again for denying it. Some developed a finger alphabet, and were flogged for applying
it.
Silence solved two problems for the prison- security and reformation. If a prisoner couldn’t
speak, he couldn’t plot a revolt with other prisoners. If a prisoner wasn’t able to speak, he couldn’t
teach other inmates crime techniques. Silence also broke their spirits, making them more willing to
accept reform. It was instituted to force them inward and to reflect on their sins.

Directions: Place true or false in front of each statement. If the statement is false, then correct the
false information.
1). _____ Americans got rid of whipping posts after the Civil War.
2). _____Auburn State Prison opened in 1922.
3). _____ There were individual cells in the beginning.
4). _____ Because of lack of control of the prisoners, the Federal Legislature enacted two pieces
of legislation.
5). _____ One aspect of prison life at Auburn was the prisoners were expected to be quiet.
6). _____ Nothing could be heard at Auburn Prison except the sound of shouting prisoners.
7). _____ The only sound heard at night was the sound of banjos.
8). _____ The sleeping areas were like catacombs.
9). _____ Prisoners were allowed to receive mail.
10). _____ Silence solved security and reformation problems at Auburn Prison.

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ANSWER KEY Lesson 8

Exercise 1: Complete the sentences.

Warden: If I like the prisoner, I will not put him in solitary confinement.
If I don’t like the prisoner, he won’t get a TV in his room.
The new TV room will be used today if the prisoners are good.

Arsonist: If I burn that building, I will be caught.

I will start the fire in the basement if there are people inside.
If it’s a good fire, I will stay and watch it.

Prisoner: If I don’t want to go to solitary confinement, I will be good.

I will escape if I have the chance.
If I find a knife, I will make a hole in the wall.

Exercise 2: Fill in the blanks with appropriate verbs in the second conditional.

The prisoner would write to his parents if the guard gave him a pen.
If the shoplifter had a larger coat, he would have room to hide more things.
The warden would be friendlier if the prisoners behaved.
The criminal would have a better lawyer if he had money.
If the police didn’t do anything, the crime rate would increase.
People could take right into their own hands if they carried guns.
The shoplifter would smile if the police didn’t catch him.
The streets would be safer if more police officers walked around.
If the pickpocket had a job, he wouldn’t steal wallets.

Exercise 3: Fill in the blanks with the correct tense of the verbs.

Court would have started on time if the prisoner hadn’t been so unruly.
If the police hadn’t found some evidence, the woman wouldn’t have been released from jail.
The burglary wouldn’t have happened if they had been at home.
If the accused hadn’t committed so many crimes, the jury would have been forgiving.
If the criminal had been rich, he would have had better representation.
If the police hadn’t responded so quickly, they wouldn’t have found the murderer.
The shoplifter wouldn’t have broken his leg if he hadn’t tried to run away.
The guard would still have had his job if he hadn’t hit a prisoner.
If it hadn’t rained, the prisoners could have gone outside.
The crime rate wouldn’t have decreased if the police hadn’t done anything.

Exercise 4: Fill in the blanks with an appropriate verb. Use could, might, or should, if appropriate.

If the prisoner runs, shoot him.

If Kevin had told me about his problem, he wouldn’t have been in prison today.
If I were you, I would tell them the truth.
Had I known, I would have sent money for bail.
I wouldn’t have helped them if I had known they were criminals.

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If police officers patrol the streets, there is less crime.
He should go to jail if he gets caught.
If I don’t lock my car, someone might steal it.
If the pickpocket had run faster, he wouldn’t have been caught.
What would you do if you were me?

Reading
Directions: Place true or false in front of each statement. If the statement is false, then correct the
false information.

1) F Americans got rid of whipping posts after the Revolutionary War.

2) F Auburn State Prison opened in 1823.
3) F There weren’t any individual cells in the beginning.
4) F Because of lack of control of the prisoners, the State Legislature enacted two pieces of
legislation.
5) T One aspect of prison life at Auburn was the prisoners were expected to be quiet.
6) F Nothing could be heard at Auburn Prison except the sound of marching prisoners.
7) F The only sound heard at night was the sound of banjos.
8) T The sleeping areas were like catacombs.
9) F Prisoners were forbidden to receive mail.
10) T Silence solved security and reformation problems at Auburn Prison.

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vocabulary list
NOUNS VERBS ADJECTIVES ADVERBS PREPOSITIONS
burglary capture additional before at
cell chase convicted deliberately about
conviction commit dangerous illegally by
counselor convict great inside in
dictator donate main from
fingerprint grab smart of
fund indicate sore on
jail shoplift unruly through
jeopardy steal to
murder murder
murderer rob
prison riot
psychiatrist CONJUNCTIONS QUESTION WORDS
punishment and how
purse snatcher or how many
slot who
shoplifter when
weapon where
yard why

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