INVERTED CONDITIONALS

NAME: …………………………………………………………………………… DATE:………………………………………..

I. Rewrite the real present (first conditional) conditional clause in inverted form

1. If she arrives late again, she could face disciplinary action.

……………………………………………………………,she could face disciplinary action.
2. Tell Paul to give me ring if you happen to see him.
Tell Paul to give me a ring, ………………………………………………………………………….  .
3. If you're interested, there's a good play on at the theatre tonight.
………………………………………………………….. , there's a good play on at the theatre tonight.
4. We can always employ extra staff if the need arises.
We can always employ extra staff,……………………………………………………………………………   .
5. If you need any more information, don't hesitate to contact me.
……………………………………………………………………. , don't hesitate to contact me.
II. Rewrite the unreal present (second conditional) conditional clause in inverted form

1. If he was more sensible, he would see what the problem was.

 ……………………………………………………, he would see what the problem was.
2. We would have to look for another partner if they refused to cooperate.
We would have to look for another partner,…………………………………………………………………………   .
3. If you were promising us early delivery, we could perhaps increase our order.
 ………………………………………………………………….., we could perhaps increase our order.
4. If such a situation came about, the company could go bankrupt.
 ……………………………………………………………, the company could go bankrupt.
5. The government would act to defend the pound if it was necessary.
The government would act to save the pound ,…………………………………………………………………………  .
III. Rewrite the unreal past (third conditional) conditional clause in inverted form

1. If she had been paying more attention, she would have noticed the red light.
 ……………………………………………………………., she would have noticed the red light.
2. I would have brought a present if I'd known it was your birthday.
I would have brought a present,………………………………………………………………………………….   .
3. If the merger had gone through, it could have resulted in a lot of redundancies.
 ……………………………………………………………., it could have resulted in a lot of redundancies.
4. He might have become a great musician if he had lived longer.
He might have become a great musician,…………………………………………………………………………..   .
5. If Japanese classes had been available, I would have taken them.
 …………………………………………………………………., I would have taken them.

IV. Transform the sentences using inversion

1. If it wasn't for this appalling weather, we could have gone out.

………………………………………………………….., we could have gone out.
2. We would have been here earlier if it hadn't been for the traffic jams.
 We would have been here earlier,…………………………………………………………….   .
3. If it hadn't been for those extra lessons, he would never have passed the exam.
 ………………………………………………………., he would never have passed the exam.
4. Somehow I'd be doing alright if it wasn't for the nights.
Somehow I'd be doing alright,……………………………………………………………………….   .
5. If it wasn't for his help, we'd never have managed.
 …………………………………………………………….., we'd never have managed.
V. Complete the second sentence so that the meaning stays the same.

1. If I had known about those problems, I would never have moved here.
Had ............................................................................................................................. moved here.

2. If you were to change your mind, I would be most grateful.

Were …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. most grateful.

3. If he had understood the problem, he wouldn't have committed those mistakes.

Had ……………………………………………………………………………………………. wouldn't have committed those mistakes.

4. If you decide to cancel the contract, please let me know.

Should ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. let me know.

5. If she were to find out that he was cheating on her, she would go mad.
Were ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………., she would go mad.

6. If he were to resign, it would cause a lot of problems for the company.

Were ……………………………………………………………………………………………... a lot of problems for the company.

7. If she decides to come, please telephone.

Should ………………………………………………………………………………………………………... telephone.

8. If he had not resigned, we would have been obliged to give him the sack.
Had…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. to give him the sack.
VI. Should - advanced point - aspect
In the examples with should we've seen so far, all the original if-clauses have been in Present simple. But if the verb
is another aspect: continuous, perfect or perfect continuous, we follow the same form after should.
Complete the sentences, starting with should
1. If you're free later on, we could go for a coffee.

……………………………………………………, we could go for a coffee.

2. If she's working today, she'll be in her office.

……………………………………………………………., she'll be in her office.

3. If he's finished the report, I'll send you a copy.

…………………………………………………………………………………., I'll send you a copy.

4. If they've been travelling all day, they'll be feeling pretty tired.

………………………………………………………………………, they'll be feeling rather tired.

ANSWERS:

Had the books been

Were the Prime Minister to fail

Had the evidence not been destroyed

Should you need

Had the ship not capsized

Were I to win

Had the storm been

Should he decide

Were I to be offered

Should you have