Le Hong Phong Highschool Teacher-in-charge: Nguyen Thuy Lien

ELT Department

I. ZERO CONDITION: scientific facts

IF clause Main clause
If + simple Simple
present present

e.g. If /you/ heat /water/ 1000C/ it /boil.  If you heat water to 1000C, it boils.
II. REAL CONDITION:
IF clause Main clause
If + present Future tenses
tenses Modal +
V.bare
Imperative
Request
e.g.
1. If you fall, I …………. able to catch you.
a. won’t be b. can’t be c. don’t be d. am not
2. It has been raining for 4 hours. Unless it stops raining, all the streets …………… flooded.
a. are going to be b. are c. would be d. have been
3. If you ……….. hungry, you …………. and get something to eat.
a. felt/go b. are feeling/can go c. felt/went d. feel/will go
4. If he…………..at the station, he’ll be here soon.
a. is going to arrive b. arrives c. has arrived d. arrived
5. If you don’t start working, you ……………….. by the deadline.
a. don’t finish b. will finish c. couldn’t finish d. won’t have finished
6. If you stay here until next year, you…………….here for 20 years.
a. are going to work b. will work c. have worked d. will have been working
7. If he………………all night, he’ll need a rest.
a. has been traveling b. traveled c. is traveling d. was traveling
8. If the weather is good enough, we …………………..at this time tomorrow.
a. are going to camp out b. are camping out c. will be camping out d. will have
camped out
9. If you go to the post office, ……………………..
a. do you get me some stamps? c. let’s get some stamps?
b. could you get me some stamps? d. get me some stamps?
10. If you don’t know a word, ………………….
a. look up it in the dictionary c. why look it up in the dictionary
b. look it up in the dictionary d. looking it up in the dictionary

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  Other structures:
 If + S + should/ happen to + V. bare, Imperative/Request
e.g. John/ ask / if/ you / see / should / please / him / phone / to / me.
If you should see John, please ask him to phone me.
 Imperative, OR / OR ELSE / OTHERWISE + S + will + V
Imperative, AND + S + will + V
e.g. If you cook, I’ll wash the dishes.
 Do the cooking, and I'll wash the dishes.
If you don't tell your father the truth, you’ll drive him crazy.
 Tell your father the truth, or you’ll drive him up the wall.
 Clause + unless + Clause = If…not
e.g. She can’t finish her work if she doesn’t start working on it now. (DOWN)
 Unless she gets down to her work now , she can’t finish it.
 Clause + provided (that) / as long as / providing (that) / on (the) condition that / so long
as + Clause
e.g. You’ll win the price if you follow my advice in the beginning. (PLACE)
 Provided (that) you follow my advice in the first place, you'll win the prize.
 Clause + in case + Clause (present simple / should)
e.g. Bring this umbrella because it may rain.  Bring the umbrella in case it rains.
 Clause + in case of / in the event of + Noun Phrase
e.g. Someone will tell you what to do if there is an actual emergency.  You will be told what to
do in case of an actual emergency.
 Clause + even if + Clause
e.g. I won’t lend him any more money even if he threatens to kill me.
 What if + Clause?
e.g. What if he comes late?
 Inversion: Should + S + V. bare, Main Clause
Main Clause + should + S + V. bare
e.g. If it rains, we’ll stay in.  Inversion: We’ll stay in, should it rain.
If there is any problem, phone me at this number.
 Inversion: Should there be any problem, phone me at this number .
III. UNREAL CONDITION IN THE PRESENT:
IF clause Main clause
If + Past Would / could +
simple V.bare
(were)
e.g. He smokes a lot. If he (not smoke) didn’t smoke, he (feel) would feel a lot better.
 Other structures:

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 If it weren’t for + Noun phrase, Main Clause
e.g. If /it /for /Jim/ our/ team / be / worst / this area.
If it weren’t for Jim, our team would be the worst in this area.
 If + S + were to + V. bare, Main Clause
e.g. If /they /were / offer /me /this job/ I/ turn /it /down.
If they were to offer me this job, I would turn it down.
 If I were you…: giving advice
e.g. I think you should have a rest. (FEET)  If I were you, I would put my feet up.
 Inversion: Were + S +___________, Main clause
Were + S + to V. bare, Main clause
e.g. If I were you, I would act differently. (SHOES)  Were I in your shoes, I would act
differently.
If they offer me the job, I’d refuse it. (TURN)  Were they were to ofer me the job, I’d
refuse it.
 Clause + supposing / suppose (that) / imagine (that) + Clause
e.g. Supposing / you / win a lottery / what / you / do?  Supposing you won a lottery ,what would
you do?

IV. UNREAL CONDITION IN THE PAST:

IF clause Main clause
If + Past Would / could / may / might + have +
perfect P.P

e.g. If the Titanic hadn’t hit an iceberg, it (not sink) would not have sunk.
If the Titanic had had more lifeboats, more passengers (rescue) could have been rescued.
 Other structures:
 If it hadn’t been for + Noun Phrase, Clause
e.g. Thanks to your help, we could overcome the difficulties.
 If it had not been for your help, we could not have overcome the difficulties.
 Inversion: Had + S + (not) + P.P, Main Clause
Main Clause + had + S + (not) + P.P
His parents’ disapproval prevented him from becoming an actor.
e.g. Had his parent not disapproved, he would have become an actor.

V. MIXED CONDITIONAL:
 If + Type 3, Type 2 (If + S + had (not) + PP, S + would/could + V)
e.g. I feel tired now because I didn’t have enough sleep last night.
 If I had had enough sleep/slept enough last night, I would not feel tired now.
e.g. She has a bad cold today because she got soaked in the rain.
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  She would not have a bad cold today if she had not got soaked in the rain.
 If + Type 2, Type 3 (If + S + V2/were, S + would/could + have + V3)
e.g. I think you should have attended yesterday’s lecture.
 If I were you, I would have attended yesterday’s lecture.

VI. IMPLIED CONDITIONAL:

 Without / But for + Noun phrase
e.g. If you hadn’t supported, the deal would have been impossible. (FALLEN)
 Withou your support, the deal would have fallen through
Because you encouraged me, I took part in the competition.
 But for your encouragement, I would not have taken part in the competition.
 Otherwise e.g. Thanks for your directions to the house. We (not find)………………………….. it otherwise.
 Or e.g. Put on your coat, or you (get) …………………..cold.

VII. IF ONLY:
If only + Clause = I wish + Clause (S + V2/S + had + V3/S + would, could + V.bare)
e.g. If only we (speak) spoke the same language all over the world.
If only I (tell) had told her the truth. Now I regret.
If only she (stop) would stop eating in class.

VIII. AS IF/AS THOUGH + SV:

Real situation: S + V + as if/as though + real tenses
Unreal situation: Cùng thời điểm -> V2/ were. Khác thời điểm -> had + V3
1. He behaved as if/as though nothing (happen) happened.
2. He looks as if he (want) wants to leave.
3. He always acts as if/as though he (be) was better than anyone else.
4. He was a little boy but he behaved as if/as though he (be) was an adult.
5. He ate as if/as though he (not eat) had not eaten for a week.
6. It looks as if/as though it (rain) is going to rain.
7. The room was so small that we felt as if we (be) were in a lift.
8. You look as if something (bother) is bothering you. Is there a problem?
9. She looked as if she (hear) had heard some bad news.
10. They stared at me as though I (be) was an alien.
11. The banging sounded as if it (come) came from next door.
12. She spoke to me as though she (know) had known me, but I had never met her before.
13. These plants look as if they (need) needs a lot more light. Try putting them a little closer to the
window.

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Le Hong Phong Highschool Teacher-in-charge: Nguyen Thuy Lien
ELT Department

EXERCISES
I. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tense, then identify the types of conditionals.
1. If you (not put up) don’t put up this shelf, you won’t have anywhere to put your books.
2. If he (change) changed jobs, he would be a lot happier.
3. If I were you, I (tell) would tell her how you feel.
4. If you continue to shout so loudly, you (wake up) will wake up the baby.
5. Even if he (ask) had asked them, they wouldn’t have agreed to come.
6. Unless you (feel) are feeling/feel any better, you can take the rest of the day off.
7. If she (not threaten) hadn’t threatened him, he wouldn’t have left.
8. I (not trust) wouldn’t trust him if I were you.
9. If you’re patient for a few minutes, I (be able) will be able to finish this.
10. He (not go) wouldn’t have gone with her if he had known she would behave so irresponsibly.
11. I wouldn’t have been able to do it unless she (help) had help me.
12. Sometimes if you (take) take a chance, it pays off.
13. If he (wake up) had woken up earlier, he wouldn’t have been late for work.
14. If they go on making so much noise, I (have to) will have to punish them.
15. If we (intend) had intended to spend the day in London, we would have bought a day pass.
16. Keep your voice down in case he (overhear) overhears us.
17. If she (be) were more experienced, she would be more likely to get the job.
18. If the food (not be) had not been so bad, we wouldn’t have complained.
19. Sales will increase provided that the advertising campaign (be) is successful.
20. If you (spend) spent less on clothes, you would be able to save some money.
II. Complete the sentences using the words in bold.
1. I would have lent you my car but I didn't know you needed to borrow it.
had If I had known you needed to borrow my car, I would have lent it to you.
2. As long as you are very careful, you can use my CD player.
provided You can use my CD player provideed you are very careful.
3. If there isn't an interpreter at the conference, she won't be able to understand the speakers.
unless She won't be able to understand the speakers unless there is an interpreter at the
conference.
4. He didn't get the job because he was late for the interview.
would If he hadn’t been late for the interview, he would have got the job.
5. I only learnt to drive because you taught me.
never I would never have learnt to drive if you had not taught me.
6. You'd better see a doctor.
were If I were you, I’d see a doctor.
7. She didn't take an umbrella so she got completely soaked.
have If she had taken an umbrella, she would not have been soaked.

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Le Hong Phong Highschool Teacher-in-charge: Nguyen Thuy Lien
ELT Department
8. I will buy a new car but I must save enough money first.
save Provided I save enough money, I will buy a new car.
9. She broke her leg so she couldn't go skiing.
broken If she had not broken her leg, she could have gone skiing.
10. Kay can't have been at home; otherwise she would have answered the phone.
would If Kay were at home, she would have answered at home.
11. I would be grateful to receive any information you may have.
could I would be grateful if you could give me any information you may have.
12. Karen can make the pie but she must have the recipe.
long Karen can make the pie as long as she has the recipe.
13. If you see Miles, can you ask him to contact me immediately?
see Should you see Miles, can you ask him to contact me immediately?
14. Chris wants to phone his boss but he hasn't got the number.
would If Chris had his boss’s number, he would call him.
15. Unless someone sends for a doctor, the child will die.
no one Should no one send for a doctor, the child will die.

III. Rewrite the sentences:

1. Working so much will make you tired.

 If you work so much, you will be tired.
2. You may have no money left, so take this ATM card with you. (ALONG) (hsg18-19)
 In case you run out of money, take along this ATM card with you.
3. He was able to study overseas because his parents had been very economical. (COULD)
(hsg18-19)
 Had it not been for his parents being very economical, he could not have studied overseas.
4. If Paul hadn’t been interested, the project would have been abandoned.
 But for Paul's interest, the project would have been abandoned.
5. If by any chance you find my wallet, could you let me know?
 If you should find my wallet, could you let me know?
6. The fire was brought under control thanks to the night watch-man.
 If it had not been for the nightwatchman, the fire would not have been brought under control.
7. Jane refused to work overtime, so she didn't get promotion.
 If Jane hadn't refused to work overtime, she would have got/ been promoted.
 If it hadn’t been for Jane’s refusal to work overtime, she would have got promotion.
8. If you ask for my advice, I’d consider buying such a car carefully. (TWICE)
 If I were you, I would think twice about buying such a car.
9. Provided your voice is audible, the audience will get the point of the scene.
 As long as the audience can hear you, they’ll get the point of this scene.

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Le Hong Phong Highschool Teacher-in-charge: Nguyen Thuy Lien
ELT Department
10. Without your help, I wouldn’t have found the house.
 If it hadn’t been for your help, I wouldn’t have found the house.
11. If you have any free time, could you give me a ring?
 Should you have any free time, could you give me a ring?
12. The heavy rain kept everybody from going out.
 If it hadn't rained heavily, everybody would have gone out.
13. She didn’t buy the car because it was too expensive. (HIGH) (hsg17-18)
 Had it not been for its high price, she would have bought the car.
14. Thanks for reminding me about this meeting – otherwise I would have missed it.
 If you had not reminded me about the meeting, I would have missed it.
15. What a shame I can’t speak French, that’s why I had to find an interpreter.
 If I could speak French, I would not have had to find an interpreter.
16. The room was full of flies because you didn’t close the door.
 If you had closed the door, the room would not have been full of flies.
17. Dick is in prison now because he murdered his wife.
 If Dick hadn't murdered his wife, he wouldn't be in prison now.
18. If you don’t hurry up, you will be late. (OR)
 Hurry up or you will be late.
19. If you are in London by any chance, come and see me. (HAPPEN)
 If you happen to be in London, come and see me.
20. A successful interview means that you will be offered the job.
 Provided you have a successful interview, you will be offered the job.
21. You may get hungry on the train so get some sandwiches. (CASE)
 Get some sandwiches in case you get hungry on the train.
22. Do let me know if you make a decision. (MIND)
 Should you make up your mind, let me know.
23. I could never have succeeded if you hadn’t assisted me. (ENJOYED)
 Without your assistance, I couldn't have enjoyed such a success.
24. I suggest Peter should look for another job. (POSITION)
 If I were in Peter’s position, I would look for another job.
25. If the president resigned, I think the deputy would win the election.
Were the president to resign, I think the deputy would win the election.
26. When you have finished your homework, you can go to the party.
 Unless you have finished your homework, you cannot go to the party.
27. I have to telephone Mike tonight or he’ll sell the car to someone else.
 Unless I telephone Mike tonight, he will sell the car to someone else.
28. Return the product to the shop if you have any complaints about it.

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Le Hong Phong Highschool Teacher-in-charge: Nguyen Thuy Lien
ELT Department
 Should you have any complaints about the product, return it to the shop.
29. What would you do if Helen didn't keep her promise? (GO)
 Supposing Helen were to go back on her promise, what would you do?
30. I wouldn’t accept if he asked me to marry him. (TIE)
 If he were

IV. MULTIPLE CHOICE

1. "Should I eat that?" "If I ……………. you, I wouldn't."

a. would have been b. would be c. were d. had been
2. "Thank God we came across that policeman!" "Oh, yes! What …………. done if you hadn't?"
a. would you have b. were you to have c. had you d. will you have
3. "So, are you going to buy it or not?" "If it…………… so expensive, I would."
a. were b. weren’t c. hadn’t been d. isn’t
4. “Why do you have to get a taxi to work?” “Well, if I didn’t live so far away, I ……………..to.”
a. wouldn’t have b. hadn’t had c. wouldn’t have had d. didn’t have
5. …………pay attention in class, you won’t pass the test.
a. If you didn’t b. If you don’t
c. Unless you don’t d. Unless you wouldn’t
6. “Why don’t we ask Martin to chair the meeting?” “Well, suppose…………..to ask him, do you think he would
accept?”
a. were we b. we were c. we had been d. had we been
7. If he………….as honest as you believe, he wouldn’t have done that.
a. were b. would be c. would have been d. have been
8. “What would you do in my place?” “Were ……………treated like that, I’d complain to the manager.”
a. I to be b. I to had been c. I have been d. to I be
9. What would you do if you…………………rich?
a. have been b. would be c. were d. would have been
10. What would you buy, provided…………………the money?
a. had you b. you had c. have you d. you would have
11. ……………. go on talking, the teacher will ask you to leave.
a. Unless you don't b. If you c. Were you to d. What if you
12. “Why are you screaming?” _“If you burn yourself, it…………………you know!”
a. would have hurt b. hurts c. have hurt d. hurt
13. …………….. I been informed, I’d have attended the meeting.
a. Should b. Were c. Had d. Would
14. “…………..you were ill, we wouldn’t have come.” “Don’t be silly! I always enjoy your company.”
a. Were we to know b. Had we known c. Should we have known d. Had we to know
15. Suppose they…………….at home, what shall we do?
a. aren’t b. weren’t c. hadn’t been d. won’t be
16. If I ……………..in time, I would have got the job.
a. had applied b. applied c. apply d. would apply
17. Without the technician’s instructions, the process…………
a. would have delayed b. would have been delayed c. was delayed d. delayed
18. If Paula………….more confident, she would take part in the contest.
a. is b. has been c. had been d. were
19. ……………..Mark in the play ground, ask him to go home.
a. Should you see b. If you had seen c. If you saw d. May you see
20. I would have stayed longer……………..
a. if Sue insisted b. had Sue not insisted c. if Sue were to insist d. had Sue insisted