Basic contrasts I Unit 8 Conditionals and /f Sentences Explanations 1 Whatis always true: present + present Both present simple and continuous are possible after if meaning when. If Iework late, I get tired. If the water is boiling, it means the food is nearly ready. 2. What was always true: past + past Both past simple and continuous are possible after if meaning when. We went home early if it was foggy. Ifit was snowing, we stayed at home. 3 Real situations: present + will Here we think that the outcome is really possible. If you keep driving like that, you'll have an accident. 4 Hypothetical situations: past + would These are imaginary situations. If Tknew the answer, I'd tell you, The verb be usually takes the form were for all persons in these sentences, though was is used in everyday speech. Note that in the first person itis possible to use should instead of would. If Left home, I think Ishould be lonely. 5. Hypothetical past situations: past perfect + would have ‘These refer to past events. If had known you were coming, I would have met you atthe station. 6 With modals Possible situations in the present If you get wet, you should change your clothes immediately. Ifyou come early, we can discuss the problem together. Hypothetical situations If Thad the money, I could help you. Hypothetical past situations Ifyou hadn't reminded me, I might have forgotten. aAdvanced Lang 7 10 Othertensesin 1 conditional sentences 2 3 Practice Ifonly ‘This adds emphasis to hypothetical situations. With past events it adds a sense of regret, The second part of the sentence is often left out. Ifonly I had enough time! Ifonly I hadn't drunk too much, this wouldn't have happened! Unless and other alternatives to if Unless means only if not. Not all negative if sentences can be transformed into unless sentences. If he wasn’t told by Jane, he couldn’t have known, Unless he was told by Jane, he couldn't have known. (can be changed) If Mr Smith doesn’t come back, he'll phone you. (cannot be changed) fone situation depends on another, if can be replaced by as/so long as, provided or only if. See Unit 13 for only if. T'lldo what you say provided the police are not informed. Even if describes how something will happen whatever the condition. Even ifit rains, we'll still go fora picnic. Past events with results inthe present: past perfect + would IfJim hadn't missed the plane, he would be here by now. Colloquial past situations Thisis technically ‘incorrect’ but many native speakers say this, perhaps to balance the ‘have’ in each part of the sentence. If Vd have been there, I would have seen her. Going to Going to can replace will If you fall, you're going to hurt yourself. It can also be used to mean ‘intend to’ after if If you're going to make trouble, we'll cll the police. Present perfect ‘This can be used to emphasis completion after if. If you've finished, then we'll go. Itis also possible in both parts of the sentence. If Tve told you once, I've told you a hundred times! Doubtand uncertainty Anadditional not can be added in formal expressions involving doubt. This emphasises the uncertainty and does not add a negative meaning. Iwouldn’t be surprised ifit didn’t rain. (Ithink it will rain.) ‘The intonation falls on rain; there is no stress on didn't. 2 —Other ways of making a conditional sentence Unit 8 Conditionals and if sentences Should After if, this makes the possibility of an event seem unlikely. Ifyou should see Ann, could you ask her to call me? This implies that Ido not expect you to see Ann, Were to ‘This also makes an event seem more hypothetical. If were to ask you to marry me, what would you say? Happen to ‘This emphasises chance possibilities. Its often used with should. Ifyou happen to see Helen, could you ask her to call me? Ifyou should happen to be passing, drop in for a cup of tea. Ifitwere not for/If it hadn't been for This describes how one event depends on another. If it weren't for Jim, this company would be in a mess. [fit hadn't been for their goalkeeper, United would have lost. Will and would: politeness and emphasis ‘These éan be used as polite forms. Ifyou willhwould wait here, I'll see if Mrs Green is free. Will can also be used for emphasis, meaning ‘insist on doing’. Ifyou will stay out late, no wonder you are tired! (insist on staying) Supposing, otherwise Supposing or suppose can replace if, mainly in everyday speech. Supposing you won the football pools, what would you do? Otherwise means ‘or if not’. can go at the beginning or end of the sentence. Ifyou hadn’t given us directions, we wouldn't have found the house. Thanks for your directions to the house. We wouldn't have found it otherwise, But for This can replace if not. Itis used in formal language, and must be followed by anoun form. If you hadn't helped us, we would have been in trouble But for your help, we would have been in trouble, Ifso/If not ‘These can refer to a sentence understood but not stated. There isa possibility that Jack will be late. Ifso, [will take his place, BAdvanced Language Practice 1 Puteach verb in brackets into an appropriate tense. 2 Rewrite each sentence so thatit contains the word in capitals, 4. Colloquial omission of if An imperative can be used instead of an if clause in everyday speech. Sit down, and I'll make us a cup of tea (If you sit down...) 5. Ifandadjectives Inexpressions such ait isnecessary/possible itis possible to omit the verb be. “If interested, apply within, If necessary, take a taxi 6 Formally ifcan mean although, usually as if + adjective, The room was well-furnished, if little badly decorated. Activities a) Now we're lost! If you en (write down) Mary’s directions, this .... (not hay . b) Why don’t we emigrate? If we. (live) in Australia, atleast the weather sou (be) better! ©) I’mafraid that Smith is a hardened criminal. If we.. him this time, he . (only commit) more crimes. 4d) Thanks to Dr Jones, P'm still alive! Ifit (not be) for her, I on (be) dead for certain! ©) Pmsorry I can’t lend you any money. You know that if I inl. .~ (lend) it to you. f) Don’t be afraid. If yo g) Inthose days, if you s=-(not punish) (have) (touch) the dog, it (have) ajob, YOU .ennnrnon (Be) lucky. h) Ie’salways the same! IfT.. (decide) to leave the office early, my boss _ (call) me after I've left! i) Whata terrible thing to happent Just think, if We ww plane, we _ (kill) in the crash, j) Did you enjoy your meal?If you... (clear away) the plates. .«(not miss) the (finish) eating, I a) Ifyoudohaveany time free, could you give mearing? SHOULD Ifyou should h could you give mea ring? b) We won't go away if the weather is bad. UNLESS ©) Tdidn’t have the money so [didn’t buy anew suit. WOULD d) Tregret not studying hard last term. ONLY ©) Ifyou hurry up, youwon'tbelate. GOING would you accept? WERE f) Ifthey offered you the jo “3 Complete each sentence witha suitable word or phrase. 4 ) Rewrite each sentence, ). beginning as shown, so that the meaning stays the same. Unit 8 Conditionals and if sentences g) Ifyouare in London by any chance, come and see me. HAPPEN bh) Without you, I would have given up years ago. BEEN i) Ifyou insist on doing everything yourself, of course you feel tired! WILL -;) »Please take a seat, and P'll inquire for you. WILL a) That was a narrow escape! If I had fallen, I would have broken my leg b) Iithadn’t gone out fora walk. ¢) Ifyou... , then I'd like it back please. dl if Harry didn’t win the competition! 6) Unless Brenda «lose the race. ) Ifyou see Mary, give her my love. g) Iwouldn’t accept the job, even ~ tome. h) If were... .loved you, what would you say? i) Thanks for your help with the garden. I otherwise. j) But for Sally jim... . rowned, a) Working so much will make you tired, Ifyou work so much, you will get tired. b) Iregret drinking so much last night! Tfonly ) What would you do if there was an. sancarinquake? © Supposing 4) Iyoudo the shopping, Tilcook lunch, You .... €) What would you dof you found some buried treasure? Ifyou were f) IfPauline hadn't been interested, the project would have been abandoned. But for g) Ifby any chance you find my wallet, could you let me know? If you happen .. h) Lmight be late. If so, start without me. HI 3) The fire was brought under control thanks to the night-watchman. Hithadn’t i). Dickisin prison because a detective recognised him. Ifadetective 45Advanced Language Practice 5 Rewrite each sentence so thatit, contains the word in capitals 6 Rewrite each sentence, beginning as shown, so that the meaning stays the same. a) Don’t take this job if you don’t really want it UNLESS Don's take this job unless you real b) wasn’t tall enough to reach the shelf. TALLER c) Iwon’tsell the painting, noveven for $1000. 4) Tithe ship sank, what would you do? WERE e) Ifyou should notice whavs on atthe cinema, lecme know. HAPPEN £) Ifyou hadn't encouraged me, would have given up. BUT g) Although itis a good car, itis expensive. IF h) If you insist on smoking so much, of course you feel ill. WILL i) Idon’thaveany scissors soleantlendyouany. IF j) But for Helen, the play would bea flop. WERE a) I’sa pity your parents can’t be here too. Vonly your pai b) If Jane hac Vithadn’e.. . a sn ©) Ifyou left out that chapter, you can’t really say you read the whole book. Unless ..... see sssneseeee 4) Ifyou want my advice, ’d think twice about buying a car like that. If ¢) Itwon’t make any difference if City score first, United will still w United will still win .. f) If the painting is finished by Saturday, we'll pay you extra. Finish vn (ot promotion. 8) Provided your voice is audible, the audience will get the point of this scene. As longas the audience wn 467 Complete each sentence witha suitable word or phrase. 8 Decide whether each sentence is grammatically possible or not. Unit 8 Conditionals and if sentences h) Ifyou refuse to stop eating sweets, you can’t expect to lose weight easily. Ifyou wort ... i) Without your help, [wouldn't have found the house. Ifyou .. i) Gexingup carly makes tne feel hungry. if b) Plllend you my radio as v=: YOU bring it back before Saturday. ). _..the phone bill today, the phone will be cut of. 4) Ishall cal off the sale ..to pay me the whole amount in cash, ©) If your tools, I wouldn’t have been able to fix the car. £) Ifyou'd told me you were coming, I something to eat. g) Ifyou took more time over your work somany mistakes init. ) hy Those wires look a bit dangerous, nT were you. i) you've finished sone BOTHE j).1fSue had known her sister wasn't coming, she tosuch trouble, a) Ifyou haven't received a letter yet, you haven’t got the job. (possible) b) Hitisn’t for David, we are missing the bus ©) Ifiv’s raining, we go to the pub on the corner instead. 4) Ifyou didn’t lend us the money, we would have gone to the bank. e) Ifyou should happen to change your mind, drop mea line. f) Ifit wasn’t for the rain, we would have been home by now. 2) Ifyou will drive so fast, no wonder the police keep stopping you. h) If knew you were coming, I would have met you at the airport. i) Butfor you helped us, we would have taken much longer. j) IfJack joins the team, I’mleaving. 7