dr Ewa Nowik-Dziewicka Handout 3

Communicative Competence Development -Practical Grammar 3 Conditionals, Subjunctive and Unreal Tenses

CONDITIONALS: USAGE 5. mixed

a) past + present:
1. always true If he hadn’t eaten those cakes last night, he wouldn’t be sick now.
a) present + present b) present + past:
If you work late, you are tired next day. If she had problems, she would have told me about it when we met.

b) past + past 6. if + will/won’t/would

If it was cold, we stayed at home. a) (polite) request: If you will wait sir, I’ll prepare an invoice.
b) willingness If he will listen to me, I will be able to help him.
2. future c) (obstinate) insistence: If you will go on chatting, I’ll send you out of the room.
a) open/real d) refusal: If she won’t talk to me, I’ll write a letter to her.
If they get up at 7 tomorrow, they will catch the early train. 7. links:
Should he come, tell him the news. if, providing, provided, as long as, even if, unless, suppose, supposing, whether…or,
If they happen to meet her, they will ask her about it. however, no matter how/what/when/who, whoever/whenever/wherever/whoever, etc.
b) hypothetical Supposing he forgets to bring the book, what will we do?
If he asked you to marry him, what would you say? Imagine we saw a ghost now, how would you react?
If she was to/were to leave her job, she wouldn’t find another soon. Whether they are late or not, we are leaving at 9 o’clock sharp.
c) politeness Unless he gets promoted, he will resign.
Would you mind if I opened the window? 8. inversion
3. present If you hear anything, let me know.
a) open/real  Should you hear anything, let me know.
If she is talking on the phone, she won’t hear the bell. If they escaped, the police would find them.
b) hypothetical  Were they to escape, the police would find them.
If she was/were here now, I would tell her the news. If I had known that, I would have told you.
c) politeness  Had I known that, I would have told you.
Would it be alright, if I used your pen? 8. reported speech
4. past a) ‘If I am back early, we’ll go out,’ he said.
a) hypothetical  He said that if he was/were back early, we would go out.
If he had told me that a year ago, I wouldn’t have believed him. b) ‘If I were you, I wouldn’t do that,’ he said.
b) open/real  He said that if he were me, he wouldn’t do that.
If Tom met Jerry, they went to the pub c) ‘If he had been ill, he wouldn’t have come,’ she said.
 She said that if he had been ill, he wouldn’t have come.
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dr Ewa Nowik-Dziewicka Handout 3
Communicative Competence Development -Practical Grammar 3 Conditionals, Subjunctive and Unreal Tenses

CONDITIONALS: PRACTICE 4. Whenever it happens, Harry feels prickling.

Ex. 1 Discuss the differences between the sentences:
1. When he comes, please tell him where I am.
If he comes, please tell him where I am.
Should he come, please tell him where I am.
2. If you told a lie, it was very foolish of you.
If you told a lie, it would be very foolish of you.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Type of condition: O / H time reference: …………………………………..
5. We know Harry did it because now he is scratching his forehead.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Type of condition: O / H time reference: …………………………………..
6. It is possible, but still rather doubtful, that it will happen.
.………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. If I win this race, I’ll give my prize to charity. Type of condition: O / H time reference: …………………………………..

If I won this race, I’d give my prize to charity. 7. If Harry stubbornly continues to do it, he will feel the prickling
.………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
4. If she doesn’t come, we’ll go alone.
Type of condition: O / H time reference: …………………………………..
If she won’t come, we’ll go alone.
8. We believe it is a very likely thing to happen
5. If you tell her about it, she will help you.
.………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Unless you tell her about it, she will help you. Type of condition: O / H time reference: …………………………………..
Ex. 2 Put the verbs in brackets in the correct form so that the sentence Ex 3 Are the following sentences INCORRECT? Why?
expresses the same meaning as the paraphrase given above. Indicate the
type of condition and time reference of the conditional clause 1) If you told him the truth, he would have got angry.
If Harry Potter (throw) Patronus spell, he (feel) the prickling of his scar. 2) If we were to fail this exam, we will have to give up our studies.
1. It is doubtful that it’s ever going to happen.
3) If the hotel will be full, we won’t have a place to stay.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Type of condition: O / H time reference: ………………………………….. 4) If she hadn’t arrived yet, something unexpected must have happened.

2. We don’t know whether it happened and whether Harry felt prickling 5) People insure their houses if they catch fire.
.……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
6) Unless I had met Peter, I would have probably married John.
Type of condition: O / H time reference: …………………………………..
7) If she was in charge, things would be done properly.
3. Harry didn’t do it and he didn’t feel anything.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8) If he went to the concert, he regularly fell asleep.
Type of condition: O / H time reference: …………………………………..

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dr Ewa Nowik-Dziewicka Handout 3
Communicative Competence Development -Practical Grammar 3 Conditionals, Subjunctive and Unreal Tenses

Ex. 4 Supply the verb forms that are most natural in the sentences (6) John keeps putting on weight because he doesn’t do any exercises.
below. Use a different form in each case.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(1) If he (not, be) with you,… (7) I am not currently rich and that is why I didn't buy the Ferrari yesterday.
…………………………………………, then where was he? O/H ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………,
………………………………………,
(2) If she (type) in her room,…
…………………………………………,
…………………………………………,
I’d tell him what I think.
I would have told him a thing or
two!
she won’t hear the bell.
she couldn’t hear the bell.
O/H (8) He hasn't got a free weekend. He would have visited us, then.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
O/H
(9) He has made a lot of friends. He isn't lonely now.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(10) You are soaked. Why didn't you bring an umbrella with you?
O/H
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
O/H (11) He can't be in trouble. He would have called by now.

…………………………………………, she can’t hear the bell. O/H ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………, she wouldn’t have heard the bell.
Ex. 5 Transform the sentences so that they include a conditional phrase:
(1) People aren’t tolerant which makes the world an awful place to live.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(2) My father forgot to lock the car properly and it got stolen.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(3) Mark responded in a very aggressive manner and now he’s got a black eye.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(4) As I don’t have a watch, I cannot tell you the time.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(5) I may be a bit late, in such case start without me.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(12) He has lost his security pass. He won't be allowed to enter the building.
O/H
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(13) They can't have caught the ferry. Otherwise they would be here by now.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(14) He must eat meat. He asked for a steak.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(15) She is reliable. She would never have let you down.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(16) They didn't ban hunting. The tiger is endangered.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(17) Aren't you sure? Why did you agree to it then?
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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dr Ewa Nowik-Dziewicka Handout 3
Communicative Competence Development -Practical Grammar 3 Conditionals, Subjunctive and Unreal Tenses

Ex. 6 Put verbs in brackets in appropriate forms. 16. You are lucky going to Italy. I wish I _________________ (go) with you.

1. If the company ______________________ (fail), thousands of workers 17. Suppose a complete stranger __________________ (leave) you a lot of money in their
____________________ (lose) jobs. I hope it won’t happen. will!

2. Most students don’t take writing seriously. Perhaps, if they 18. In those days if you _________ (have) a job, you __________ (be) lucky.
_______________________ (teach) how important it is, they _______________________ 19. If I _______________ (not/be) at that party, I ________________ (not/meet) my wife.
(start) learning it. 20. If you _______________ (follow) my advice, you ______________ (not/be) in debts now.
3. I didn’t know you wanted to go. If you___________________ (tell) me about it, I 21. If someone _______________ (offer) to buy you one of those rings, which
____________________ (not/object). ___________________ (you/choose)?
4. There is no wind. We _______________ (not/be) able to go sailing unless the wind 22. If you ____________ (read) the instructions carefully you ____________________
__________________ (blow). (not/answer) the wrong question.
5. Check for the oil. If there________________ (be) no oil, the engine____________________
(break) down. Ex. 7 Choose the correct item.
6. It’s always like this. If I ________________ (leave) office early, my boss 1. ‘Thank God we came across that policeman!’ ‘Oh, yes! What ….. done if you hadn't?’
___________________ (call) me after I’ve left. A would you have C had you
7. If only I ____________________ (not/tell) her about it, everything ________________ (be) B were you to have D will you have
alright now!
2. ‘So, are you going to buy it or not?’ ‘If it ….. so expensive, I would.’
8. It may rain this afternoon. And if the weather _______________ (be) bad, the match
A were C hadn't been
__________________ (cancel).
B weren't D isn't
9. You must study. You __________________ (not/finish) the course if you
__________________ (not/study). 3 ‘Why don't we ask Martin to chair the meeting?’ ‘Well, suppose ….. to ask him, do
you think he would accept?’
10. He always ________________ (help) me with homework when he ______________
(had) time. But he doesn't do that anymore. A were we C we had been
11. If he _______________________ (stand) near the house when the wall collapsed, it B we were D had we been
_______________ (kill) him. 4. If he ….. as honest as you believe, he wouldn’t have done that.’
12. If I ____________ (take) French in high school, I __________ (have) more job A were C would have been
opportunities now. B had been D have been
13. What _________________ (you/buy) if someone ______________ (give) you a lot of 5. What would you buy, provided ….. the money?
money?
A had you C have you
14. You had no TV then. But if you _________________ (have) TV, _________________ (you/
B you had D you would have
watch) it?
15. I have enough of this queue! If we ___________________ (buy) the tickets yesterday,
we ____________________________ (stand) in it.
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dr Ewa Nowik-Dziewicka Handout 3
Communicative Competence Development -Practical Grammar 3 Conditionals, Subjunctive and Unreal Tenses

6. ….. I been informed, I'd have attended the meeting. Ex. 9 Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first
sentence using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use
A Should C Had between three and eight words, including the word given.
B Were D Would
1. If I were him, I would not be late for the interview. BETTER
7. ‘… you were ill, we wouldn't have come.’ ‘Don't be silly! I always enjoy your
He …………………………………………………………………………………………………the interview.
company.’
2. You won't be punished provided you admit it was your mistake. LONG
A Were we to know C Should we have
B Had we known D Had we to know You won’t be …………………………………………………………………………………………..to your mistake.

8. If you ….. out until 3 am, you will feel tired.’ 3. Since he is an only child, his parents have spoiled him. NOT
A will stay C had stayed If …………………………………………………………………his parents wouldn’t have spoilt him.
B would stay D was to stay 4. If I had been you, I would have punished him. SHOES
If ………………………………………………………………………………………….have punished him.
Ex 8 Put verbs in brackets in appropriate form. Think about all possibilities.
5. If you revise all your notes, you'll pass the exam. PROVIDED
1. If he ________ (drive) the car so fast, he _________ (have) an accident.
You’ll pass…………………………………………………………………………………….all your notes.
6. If it wasn't for the good pay, I wouldn't stay in this job. BUT
I wouldn’t ……………………………………………………………………………………………………..pay.
7. If you don't get to work on time, you'll be given the sack. PUNCTUAL
Unless …………………………………………………………………………………………………. the sack.
8. As you've got a high temperature, you'd better go to the doctor's. WERE
If ………………………………………………………………………… about your high temperature.
9. As I couldn't answer any of the questions, I walked out of the Maths exam. SO
I couldn't ………………………………………………………………………… out of the Maths exam.
2. If I __________ (have) a dog, I __________ (go) for walks with it.
10. But for his help, I wouldn't be in my current job. GOT
If it hadn't …………………………….……………………………………………………my current job.
11. If Mary were feeling well, she would have come to Tom's party. SINCE
Mary must ………………………………………………………………………………… to Tom's party.
12. If someone gave you a free airline ticket, where would you travel to? TO
If you ……………………………………………………………………… where would you travel to?

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dr Ewa Nowik-Dziewicka Handout 3
Communicative Competence Development -Practical Grammar 3 Conditionals, Subjunctive and Unreal Tenses

Ex. 10 Complete each of the following sentences in such a way that it is as

3. If the boss is feeling relaxed, a. we all feel the same way
similar in meaning as possible to the sentence before it.
b. the inspection will go all right.
a) It's lucky I know you or I'd be deeply offended. c. it would be a bad sign.
If …………………………………………………………….……...............………. I'd be deeply offended. 4. If Paul's been to Australia, a. he'll probably have acquired an accent.
b) Fortunately, they're on e-mail, otherwise they'd never have received the news b. I think you should go there.
in time. c. he would certainly go to New Zealand.
Were ……………………………………..……… they'd never have received the news in time. 5. If you're still not sure, a. you hadn't been following.
b. you can't have been concentrating.
c) Could you hold my briefcase so I can move this table?
c. it's clear you weren't listening.
If you would be ……………………………………………………………. move this table.
6. If you will gossip about other a. you've got to expect people to gossip about
d) They may change their minds, in which case they'll let us know. people, you.
Should ………………………………………………………………………. they'll let us know. b. people are gossiping about you.
c. you can't expect others not to gossip about
e) I don't think we will, but if we did sell this flat, how much do you think we'd
you.
get?
Were …………………………………………..………. how much do you think we'd get? Ex. 13 Report the following statements.

Ex. 11 Fill each of the gaps with a suitable word or phrase. 1. We’ll just manage to catch the train if we leave now.

a) Even if I ………………….. help you, I don't think I would have been able to. I pointed out that we___________________________________________
b) I ………………….. up so early this morning if I'd known you weren't coming until 2. If you explained the situation to your solicitor, he would be able to advise you what to
after lunch. do.
c) If you'd known then what you know now, …………………..done? He felt that if I _______________________________________________
d) Had ………………….. your timely intervention, they'd have given nearly all their 3. If I see him again, I will tell him what you’ve said.
money to that con man.
I promised that if _____________________________________________
e) If only ………………….. to my father's advice, I'd be a successful lawyer by now.
4. If you took those shoes back to the shop, they would change them for you.
Ex. 12. Either two or all three of the main clauses (a-c) can complete the His advice was that if__________________________________________
sentences (1-6). Put a cross (X) next to those that cannot. 5. What will happen if they can’t reach an agreement?
1. Do that again and a I'm leaving. I wondered what ______________________________________________
b I can't help you.
c you would be sorry. 6. If I knew how it worked, I would help you with it.
He said that _________________________________________________
2. Assuming you're going to see him, a. tell him about the meeting.
b. will you give him a message from me? 7. Had I known you were ill, I would have visited you.
c. he can't be a complete recluse. He told me that_______________________________________________

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dr Ewa Nowik-Dziewicka Handout 3
Communicative Competence Development -Practical Grammar 3 Conditionals, Subjunctive and Unreal Tenses

UNREAL TENSES / SUBJUNCTIVE 4) I’D RATHER

present
I. Words and phrases followed by unreal tenses: I don’t want to leave.  I’d rather………….…………. here.
I want her to be here.  I’d rather she ………….…………. here.
(A) wishes
future: They won’t buy it for us but for Mary.  I’d rather they ………….………….
1) IF ONLY
*past: They stayed with us and not with her . I’d rather they ………….………….
present: My hamster is dead.  If only he ………….…………. alive!
future: My parents may buy a new hamster. *note the difference in tenses for future wishes
 If only they ………….………….!
(B) conditional links
past: My hamster died.  If only he ………….…………. !
1. As long as you ………….…………. (be) sure it ………….…………. (be) convenient, I
2) WISH ………….…………. (call) round tomorrow to see Ms Peters.
present: I don’t have a car.  2. Doctor Jones says he ………….…………. (not/go) to live in the village no matter how
I wish I ………….…………. a car. the people ………….…………. (need) him.
I wish it ………….…………. blue.
3. It’s possible to be happy providing one ………….…………. (have) reasonably good
future: They may buy a car next year.  health.
I wish they ………….…………. .
4. Alice left her job the next day after she received a note because however long
past: I crashed my car.  I wish I ………….…………. . ………….…………. (stay) in her job, they ………….…………. (not/make) her last salary
annoying habit, complaint, request higher.
You are smoking in my room again!  5. Why do you want to go to Paris again? Suppose we ………….…………. (go) to Rome
I wish you ………….…………. . for a change?
I want you to help me.  I wish you ………….…………. .
(C) real vs. unreal: as if / as though
3) IT’S (HIGH) TIME
a) She behaves as if she was her mother
present: She’s not here.  It’s time she ………….…………. . b) She behaves as if she is her mother.
future: I want her to leave.  It’s time she………….…………. . a) The car looks as if it’d been hit by a tank.
*past: She didn’t do that.  It’s time she………….…………. . b) The car looks as if it’s been hit by a tank.
a) It sounds as if you’d practise.
b) It sounds as if you’ll practise.

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dr Ewa Nowik-Dziewicka Handout 3
Communicative Competence Development -Practical Grammar 3 Conditionals, Subjunctive and Unreal Tenses

II. Subjunctive c) obligatory:

1) form: i. the phrase If I were you
present subjunctive  identical with bare infinitive, e.g. speak ii. inverted 2nd conditional pattern
past subjunctive  only were If the vote was against me, I would resign.
negation  not added before the form, e.g. not speak …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

2) present subjunctive - usage: UNREAL TENSES – PRACTICE

a) that-clauses
i. following verbs: demand, insist, require, suggest, etc.
He is obliged to leave the restaurant at once.
 They demanded that he …………………………………………………………. .
ii. following adjectives: advisable, essential, desirable, preferable
We ought to finish this report for tomorrow.
 It’s essential that the report …………………………………………………………. .
iii. following nouns: decision, insistence, demand, requirement, condition
The court decided to award custody to the father, and it’s debatable.
The court’s decision that ………………………………………………………is debatable .
b) after if
If he ………………….. found guilty, he will be jailed for 10 years.
c) after whether
Whether she ……………………….. it or not, we will do it.
d) after whatever
Whatever his reasons ……………………….., they are insufficient to excuse him.
e) fixed expressions
be that as it may; come what may; far be it from me; if it please the court;
suffice it to say; God bless (you / her, etc.); God save (the Queen/ the King);
Heaven forbid!
3) Past subjunctive – usage:
a) unreal present meaning
b) was/were alternative
If the minister was/were here, she would no doubt refuse the allegations.
Ex 14. Put the verb in brackets in appropriate form.
1. It is also necessary that a test statistic not______________ (be) invariant with respect
to a given hypotheses.
2. I’d rather you________________ (talk) on the phone while I’m reading.
3. It’s so cold now. I wish it______________ (be) summer.
4. They recommend he _____________ (remain) in jail for another six months until the
next review.
5. I wish I__________________ (decide) to study ecology instead of biology.
6. I demand you________________ (release) him now.
7. It’s high time somebody_______________ (force) them to clean that mess!
8. Giuliani demanded the Brooklyn Museum_________________ (cancel) the exhibition.
9. He acts as if he ________________ (be) my real father.
10. The deal requires that teachers __________________(join) the union.
11. Why did you have to tell me about it? I wish you _________________(do) that.
12. How dare you call me a fascist? If I _______________(be) a fascist, then I ______________
(send) you to one of those Southern military academies a long time ago.
13. The lease of our flat requires that the entrance _____________ (keep) clear of
obstruction at all times.
14. It’s essential that every child _____________ (have) the same educational
opportunities.
15. Suppose I __________(give) you back half the money I owe you, _________(satisfy) you?

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dr Ewa Nowik-Dziewicka Handout 3
Communicative Competence Development -Practical Grammar 3 Conditionals, Subjunctive and Unreal Tenses

Ex. 15 Transform sentences so that they begin with the words given. 9. I don’t want to buy a new car right now.
I’d rather …………………………………………………………………………………………………….
1. It’s not very polite to treat her like that.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
I’d rather …………………………………………………………………………………………………….
10. You might have warned me about Mary before I met her.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
I wish you ……………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. I think he really knows what he’s talking about.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
He sounds …………………………………………………………………………………………………..
11. I neglected to have your clothes dry-cleaned.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
I wish I ………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
3. It’s so unfortunate that he was driving so fast!
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
If only …………………………………………………………………………………………………………
12. You didn’t put the ice cream in the fridge and it’s spoilt.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
If only …………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
4. I would like the sun to appear.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………!
If only …………………………………………………………………………………………………………
13. Meg wants to be left alone because she’s upset.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Meg would rather…………………………………………………………………………………………..
5. It’s a pity you didn’t tell us you were leaving.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
I wish ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
14. Why don’t you show me your stamp collection?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
I wish you ……………………………………………………………………………………………………
6. Thank goodness your parents agreed to help us.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Supposing ………………………………………………………………………………………………….;
15. Please, don’t tell anyone about it.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
I’d rather you …………………………………………………………………………………………………
7. We’ve told them about it on numerous occasions.
16. They really must discuss that again.
It isn’t as if we ……………………………………………………………………………………………..
It’s essential that ……………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
8. You should admit that you’re to blame and not try to conceal it.
16. Would you like me to leave now?
I’d rather …………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Would you ……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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dr Ewa Nowik-Dziewicka Handout 3
Communicative Competence Development -Practical Grammar 3 Conditionals, Subjunctive and Unreal Tenses

Ex. 16 Correct mistakes if there are any. 1. a) Police are demanding that all cars are searched.
b) Police are demanding that all cars be searched.
1. I had rather you didn’t take the car, it’s just been cleaned.
2. a) Come what may, we'll still go out tonight.
2. What hypocrites they are! They are acting as if nothing happened. b) Be that as it may, we'll still go out tonight.
3. Suppose he had never asked you to marry him, would you still be together? 3. a) I'd rather you didn't speak to him like that.
b) I'd rather you hadn't spoken to him like that.
4. It’s time this country were told about the Prime Minister’s real intentions.
4. a) Had I got on that plane, I would have been killed.
5. We require that the receipts don’t be accepted without a doctor’s signature. b) If I got on that plane, I would have been killed.
6. Be what may, we are not leaving that place. 5. a) It's getting late: it's time I wasn't here.
7. I’d rather I hadn’t spent so much time abroad, now I realize how beautiful my b) It's getting late, it's time I left.
country is.
II. In each of the following sentences fill the three gaps with one of the words
8. This is an awful hotel, I wish we had gone to Grand Hotel instead. given. You can use some words more than once. Some words you do not need at
all.
9. You would rather I prepared the lunch if you are tired?
long forgotten had will get weren't better provided
10. I wish your eyes shone with delight instead of tears.
drive have are run must
11. Sir James thinks it’s time his son had got a right job and begun to earn his own
a) As …………… as we …………… there early enough, we …………… get good seats.
money.
b) If we …………… leaving, I'd …………… my coat.
12. You look as if you’ve been ill. What’s the matter?
c) …………… we don't…………… into heavy traffic, we…………… see you at seven.
13. It‘s time you bited the bullet and went to the dentist. You can’t put it off d) If those…………… Marion's keys, she…………… have …………… them.
forever.
e) If you …………… so fast it's not surprising you …………… an accident.
14. It’s high time you clean that balcony. It’s covered in leaves and dust.
III. Which sentence does not contain a Present or Past subjunctive, or Unreal Past
15. Suppose the stock market crashed, how much money would we have lost?
tense?

ADDITIONAL EXERCISES1
1. I propose that this street be closed to cars.
2. If I was in his shoes, I'd give up.

I. For each of the following pairs of sentences, decide a) if both are correct or 3. I'm suggesting that he reconsider my proposals.
only one, and b) if they are both correct, do they mean the same? 4. Imagine you are going to fall asleep.
EXAMPLE: If he had agreed, we'd start now. 5. You talk as if you really meant it.
If he were to agree, we'd start now.
Both correct; different meaning (one past reference, one future reference)

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The part of the handout devoted to additional exercises is based on Side and Wellman, 2002, unit 5.
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dr Ewa Nowik-Dziewicka
Communicative Competence Development -Practical Grammar 3
IV. Add one of these common phrases to each of the sentences.
come what may suffice it to say be that as it may
God forbid so be it far be it from me
1. If, ……………………………………………………… , you were to die, who'd run the
business?
2. I don't want to explain, ……………………………………………………… Aunt Sarah is
coming to stay after all.
3. If you really want to drop out of college, then, …………………………………………… .
4. ……………………………………………………… , I'm determined to finish decorating my
room this weekend.
5. ……………………………………………………… to tell you what to do, but you'd be mad
to marry him.
6. ‘This medicine tastes horrible!’ ‘, ……………………………, it will cure your cough.’
V. Fill each of the gaps with one suitable word. (In this exercise, words such
as didn't and weren't count as one word.)
Example: Imagine we hadn't met all those years ago!
1. I can't tell you how much I wish the architect ………….. here to see the results of
his work.
2. It's time you ………….. able to take full responsibility for your own actions.
3. If he ………….. so self-righteous, he'd realise he was wrong.
4. Imagine you ………….. completely blind: how would it affect your life?
5. He looked for all the world as though he ………….. been sleeping in his clothes.
6. I really wish I………….. always in so much of a hurry these days.
7. If only she ………….. so impossibly beautiful!
8. I'd rather you ………….. talk so loudly, if you don't mind.
Handout 3
Conditionals, Subjunctive and Unreal Tenses
VI. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first
sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. Use between three
and eight words, including the word given.
Example: The management want to suspend you without pay. PREFERENCE
The management's preference is that you be suspended without pay.
1. Our neighbour talks as if he owned half the county, doesn't he? THINK
To hear our neighbour …………………………………....................…………….. county, wouldn't you?
2. What would you do if you couldn't look after yourself? INCAPABLE
Suppose you …………………….............………...........………………….. yourself, what would you do?
3. It is essential that you tell us everything. IMPORTANCE
It is of the ………………….............................................…………………………….. be kept fully informed.
4. If they reject her appeal, she'll lose all her insurance claims. DOWN
Should her appeal ………………………...............……………………….. lose all her insurance claims.
5. Are you saying you don't want me here? SOONER
Are you saying ……………….....................................................................……………………………….. here?
VII. In each of the following sentences, cross out any of the underlined verb forms
that we cannot use.
1. If you leave / will leave your things lying around, you shouldn't be surprised if you
lose / will lose them.
2. If you wait / will wait here a moment, I'll tell Mr Brown you're here - assuming he’s /
will be in.
3. If you trust / will trust me, I take / will take the money to him, providing you have /
will have it with you now.
4. If the unit fits / will fit in the corner there, I think it is / will be the best place, unless
you can / will think of anywhere else.
5. If you help / will help me work out whether we need to make another order at the
moment, I spend / will spend some time tomorrow helping you with your statistics,
if you like / will like.
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dr Ewa Nowik-Dziewicka Handout 3
Communicative Competence Development -Practical Grammar 3 Conditionals, Subjunctive and Unreal Tenses

VIII. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the
first sentence, using the new beginning and the two other prompt words. Do
not change the given words.
Example: I don't know if we're late because I don't have a watch.
If I had a watch, I'd know whether we were late. had/whether
1. I think you should formally complain to the manager.
If ……………………………………………………………………………………… were / complaint
2. Supposing we do go ahead with the building, it can't be before June.
If we are …………………………………………………………………………………… will/earliest
3. Should anything happen to make you change your mind, let me know.
If by ……………………………………………………………………………..,…………chance/might
4. Supposing the world was going to end tomorrow, what would you do tonight?
Were the world ……………………………………………………………………………about/spend
5. I think not having school on Mondays sounds like quite a good idea.
I think it ………………………………………………………………………………… might/better
6. Nico's useless at maths so he can't become an accountant.
Were ………………………………………………………………………………………… better/able
IX. Match the beginnings (1-8) with the second halves (a-h) to make complete
sentences.
1. If you've seen it, a) it can't be as bad as that.
2. If you enjoyed it so much, b) how come you know how it ends
X. Write sentences that are a part of a chain, as in the examples.
Examples: I cheated from him in the entry test. We finished up in the same class.
If I hadn't cheated from him in the entry test, we wouldn't have finished up in the same
class.
We used to do our homework together.
If we hadn't finished up in the same class, we wouldn't have done our homework together.
1. We started to find out quite a lot about each other. (Begin: If we ………………………...
homework together, ...........................................)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2. We discovered that we had a lot in common.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3. He invited me to go to the National Gallery.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
4. We saw the most incredible paintings.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
5. I'm a true art-lover now.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
6. I went to the National Gallery again yesterday.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
7. I met another art-lover there.

3. If you don't want to see it,
4. If you haven't seen it,
5. If it was that bad
6. If it won all those awards,
7. If you like slapstick comedy,
8. Even if you enjoyed it,
c) why were you asleep at the end?
d) I'm not sure I would.
e) why don't you remember who's
in it?
f) you must have heard something
bad about it.
g) why didn't you walk out?
h) this is the film for you.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
8. I'm going out to dinner tonight.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
9. I didn't phone you.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
10. You haven't warned me yet about going out with art-lovers.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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dr Ewa Nowik-Dziewicka Handout 3
Communicative Competence Development -Practical Grammar 3 Conditionals, Subjunctive and Unreal Tenses

XI. Match a sentence from the left (1-8) with a response on the right (a-h). XIII. For each of the following sentences, say whether a or b, or both, can complete
the sentence. Tick any that we can use, put a cross (X) for any that we cannot use.
1. Would you mind if they came along? a) If only he would.
2. Would you like me to give you a hand? b) I suppose it is. 1. If it hadn't been for the awful weather, a) we’d have spent more time sailing,
b) we would go there again.
3. Do you feel it might be best if I said yes? c) Of course I will.
2. If I'd realised you weren't coming, a) I wouldn’t be so angry,
4. Could you let me know if you change your mind? d) I'd rather they didn't
b) I can do something.
5. You'd feel better if you got some fresh air. e) I think it would. a) you wouldn’t have done what you did
3. If he had told you the truth,
b) you wouldn’t be in this predicament.
6. Don't you think it's time we were leaving? f) I'm sure you would.
4. If it wasn't for the endless bureaucracy, a) I’d easily have got permission,
7. Do you reckon he'll leave? g) Perhaps I would.
b) I’d try again.
8. I would if I could, you know. h) Oh, if you would.
5. Had they explained their reasons, a) they're stupid,
b) you'd understand.
XII. Fill each of the numbered blanks with one suitable word
In accordance with your recent request, we are pleased to supply the following XIV. Fill each of the blanks with a suitable word or phrase.

reference. Miss Baiocci (1) ……………, I am sure, be a real asset to your organisation,
knowing as she does a great deal about the way a company such as yours operates.
There are very few duties here that I could (2) ……………, confidently entrust her
with, and if she were (3) …………… join you, you (4) ……………, soon come to (5)
……………, her organisational and interpersonal skills. If it (6) ……………, not clear
that she (7) ……………, determined to move away from this area, we would (8)
……………,everything we (9) ……………, to keep her here. Assuming we (10) ……………,
to lose her, I (11) ……………, be happy to know that she (12) ……………, being taken
on by a company with a reputation such as you enjoy. (13) ……………, any further
information be (14) ……………, I (15) ……………, be happy to supply it.
Example: If you had been in my shoes, what would you have done?
1. If ……………………………………………............... for the postal strike, the cheque would have
arrived today.
2. In those days you would have been breaking …………………………………………….. ID card
on you at all times.
3. Had we …………………………………………….. misinformed about the bus times, we
wouldn't have been late.
4. In retrospect you might …………………………………………….. advised to get a lawyer.
5. If Ioannis stayed that long at the party, …………………………………………….. been having a
good time.
6. But …………………………………………….. fire alarm alerting us, the building would have
gone up in flames.

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