Extra Grammar 2

Conditional Sentences type 2

Use

When we want to talk about unreal or improbable situations now or in the future,
we use a past tense in the if-clause (although the meaning is present or future) and
would + infinitive in the other part of the sentence.

Form

If-clause (condition) (cause, effect or result)

If I had a new car, … I would (‘d) feel much happier now.

If our secretary knew the address, … she would (‘d) tell us.
If Sheila didn’t have a cell phone, … we would (‘d) never be able to reach her.

Photocopiable © Ediciones Santillana S.A. / Richmond 2011

Notes: 1) The order of the clauses can be reversed:
I would (‘d) feel much happier now if I had a car. (No comma is required
in this case.)

2) W
 e can also ask questions when talking about unreal or improbable
situations in the present or past:
What would you do if you didn’t have a job?

3) W
 e often use were instead of was after if. This is probably more common
in a formal style, especially in the phrase: If I were you, ...
If I were you, I’d (would) tell her the truth.
Sue would (‘d) be much prettier if her nose was / were a little shorter.

Practice

1 Fill in the blanks using an appropriate form of the verbs in brackets.

a If Jason (have) a bigger house, we (not have to)
celebrate his birthday in a pub.
b If there (be) more boys in our class, we (organise) a
football match every weekend.
c If I (be) you, I (not lie) to your girlfriend.
d Where you (go) on holiday if you (not
have) that beautiful house by the sea?
e Who Mrs Simpson (ask) for help in our office if the
boss (decide) to fire Jimmy, the errand boy?
f The Smiths (not fly) to Canada so often if their daughter Sylvia
(not live) there.

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2 Read and answer these questions.

What would you do if…

a ...you won a million pesos in the lottery?

b ...you saw a man robbing a person in the street?

c ...you discovered that your best friend has told you many lies?

3 Read this email and complete it using an appropriate form of the verbs in brackets.

Photocopiable © Ediciones Santillana S.A. / Richmond 2011

Danny
Tuesday 05/07/2011 02:14 p.m.
Luke

Changing jobs

Hi Luke!

This short email is just to say goodbye because this is my last day at the office. I’m
starting a new job next week as an accountant for a bigger firm in Manchester.

If you (a) (be) here now, I (b) (invite) you to join us at

the pub just opposite for a couple of beers. Jim, Mike, Bill and Greg have organised a
simple farewell party for me at the pub. But our boss told me you are not feeling well
and must stay at home and rest for a few days. I (c) (like) to meet you
this week in case you (d) (feel) a bit better. What do you think?

I really can’t leave without saying goodbye to you in person. You‘ve been one of my
best colleagues here in the office and I would like to thank you for your constant
support. Please, give me a ring on my mobile (98546586) when you feel better. I’ll be
in town until Friday noon. If it (e) (not be) because I have to start working
next Monday and have to get everything ready in Manchester, I (f) (stay)
in town a bit longer.

Hope you get well soon!

Best

Danny

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Answer Key

1 a had / would not (wouldn’t) have

b were / would (‘d) organise
c were / would not (wouldn’t) lie
d would (you) go / did not (didn’t) have
e would (Mrs Simpson) ask / decided
f would not (wouldn’t) fly / did not (didn’t) live

2 Students’ own answers

3 a were
b would (‘d) invite

Photocopiable © Ediciones Santillana S.A. / Richmond 2011

c would (‘d) like
d felt
e was not (wasn’t) / were not (weren’t)
f would (‘d) stay

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