CONDITIONAL SENTENCES1

PART 1
Put the verbs in brackets into a suitable form. 1 Examples: (universal facts and habits: if [present], [present]) Fresh milk goes2 sour if3 you keep it for a long time. If/Whenever I enter the house in muddy shoes, my wife (always) shouts at me.

a If Mr Perkins (catch) someone napping, he always (make) them do twenty press-ups. b If you (put) a block of ice in the sun, it (melt). c If she (be) sad, she usually (listen) to Cat Stevens. d If the roads (be) wet, it (be) more dangerous to drive on them. e If it (rain), we never (go) for a ramble.

2 Example: (imperatives: if [present], [present]) Dont do it if you feel/are feeling tired. Take it easy if you dont want to have another relapse.

We do not mention the subject before the main verb in imperative sentences. a (not drive) if you (be) drunk. You could have an accident. b (not tell) her if you (not want) to. c If you (not be) busy, (help) me. d (not eat) it if you (be) full. e (not add) fuel to the flames if you (not want) to have a row with your wife.

3 Example: (possible, probable or real: if [present], [will

+ infinitive])

If you follow my advice, you will not have any trouble with the Treasury.

a If you (present) your proposal, we (see) what we can do about it. b If we (put) off the meeting now, when it (be) held again? c If you (let) me down again, I no longer (rely) on you. d If you (break) your promise, you (suffer) for it. e We (give) them a call if we (decide) to pay them a visit.
4 Example: If a person smokes heavily, he or she can get lung cancer. In place of will, other modal verbs are possible.

a He neednt come if he (have) many things to do. b If we (tell) them the whole truth now, they may forgive us. c We must leave now if we (want) to get there before dark. d If the weather (not improve), we should (or ought to) stay at home. e We had better tell her everything if she (ask) us.

5 Examples: If you have finished with your housework, we can go to the

theatre. If this washing machine is not still working properly after all the money we have spent fixing it, wed better buy a new one. If you have been running for over an hour, it is not surprising that you should be tired out. If everything goes well, Ill have finished by noon. If I havent retired earlier, Ill have been working for the same company for twenty years in November. If we dont start now, well still be working at five oclock.

Note that apart from the simple present and the future simple (will + infinitive), we can have other verb forms.

a If it (not snow) now, I (show) you round town. b If you (not finish) yet, youd better stay at home and finish it. c If you (come) tomorrow at midday, I (cook) the dinner. Can you come a bit later? d If you (study) Chinese for five years, you should at least speak it. e If my memory (not deceive) me, we (be) married for forty-five years in May.

6 Revision exercise.

a If you (be) bitten by a cobra, you can die from it, unless you take an antidote. b Water (boil) and (evaporate) if it (be) heated. c If you (be) exposed to the suns rays for a long time, you (get) your skin burnt. d Wed better postpone the match if it still (rain). e We may go to Africa next winter if we (save) enough money by then. f I (lend) you the money providing that you (pay) me back by Monday. g I (stay) here with you so long as you (not make) a scene. h I (go) out with you on condition that you (pay) for the drinks. i Unless you (tell) the teachers pet our intentions, everything (go) alright5. j Suppose you (see) a policeman. What you (do) then? k My mother (get) angry whenever I (arrive) home late. l If you (play) with fire, you can get burnt. m If you (not do) the chores yet, youd better hurry up. n If you (pour) oil on the flames, they (sack) you. So, please dont. o If he (take) part in the race, he may win. p If the worst (come) to the worst, we (have) to repeat the year. q If you (talk) behind my back again, you (regret) it. r If you (want) to do it, you must do it off your own bat. s If you (take) care of my sister, I (reward) you for it. t If you (not mind), Id like to repay you for your kindness. How about going to the theatre tomorrow evening?

u If you (happen) to run into her, please (tell) her to come over for dinner. v She (tell) me tomorrow whether she can come or not6. w (close) the window if you (be) cold. x If we (not preserve) nature, we (destroy) the humankind as well. y (not stick) your tongue out at Mr Smith if you (not want) to be gated for a week. z If you (hitch-hike) again, we (not give) you any pocket money for a month.

7 Examples: (unreal or improbable: if [past], [would7 + infinitive]) If I were8 you, I would/should (more formal) keep things quiet. If I had the night off, Id go to your stag party. But, you know, Im a night watchman, and cant duck out of it. If it werent pouring down, we would go for a walk. If I were rich, I wouldnt be working here.

a If I (have) a time machine, time (be) in my hands. b If it (not rain) buckets, we (drop) in on him. c If I (be) in your place, I (leave) the phone off the hook. d If you (be) to take the post, what you (do)? e If the brakes of your car (fail), you (jump) out?

8 Example: (impossible: if [past perfect], [would9 have + past participle]) These batteries wouldnt have run down if you had recharged them. If it hadnt been sleeting, we wouldnt have stayed at home. If he hadnt been a spy, they wouldnt have been torturing him/If he hadnt been a spy, they wouldnt have tortured him.

Imposible conditionals refer to the past; the other types seen in the previous sections, to the present or future.

a If it (not drizzle), we (take) the kids to the zoo. b If she (not overbid) us, we (buy) the prehistoric axe. c If we (not underbid) her, we (obtain) the prehistoric axe. d If you (reset) your watch, you (not be) late, Yes, youre right, but I forgot that the time had been changed. e If you (sit) under the overhanging branches of the plane tree, you (be) cooler. Why didnt you sit there?

9 Example: If she had responded to treatment, she wouldnt be10 dead now. If I hadnt twisted my ankle, Id go with you this afternoon. If you hadnt smoked like a chimney last night, you wouldnt be coughing now. If you hadnt been eating, you would eat your dinner up now.

If [past perfect], [would + infinitive] is used to link the present or the future to the past. It is also possible, though probably less common, to say if [past], [would have + past participle]: They would have gone there if they were not ill.

a If you (not sling) your satchel on the mud, it (not be) so dirty. Now youll have to wash it yourself with soap and water. b She was so angry that she rent her blouse in two. If she (not rend) it in two, she (use) it for tomorrows party. c Hes guilty in the eyes of the law, but only because he didnt tell all the truth. If he (not conceal) any facts of what occurred that night, now he (not be) regarded as one of the people implicated in the robbery. d Hes lucky not to be here now. If he (be) here now, I (tell) him a few home truths. e They lent us the money we needed to continue with the business; if they (not come) to our rescue, we (not run) it now.

10 Examples: If you dont trust him, why have you offered him the job? If you knew she was not faithful to you, why did you marry her?

If in the above sentences means as or since.

a If you already (finish), why we (not take) the kids to the zoo? b If you (feel) dizzy, why you (not lie) down a bit? c If you (know) he was so pigheaded, why you (try) to convince him that he was wrong? d If you (be) so sure that she wouldnt be ready in a twinkle, why you (wait) for her? Why you (not tell) her to come here? e If you (realise) how smarmy she was, why you (believe) her?

11 Example: If you should see a rattlesnake in your bedroom, dont kill it, as its my pet.

The sentence above means that you are not very likely to see my snake in your bedroom. If we use should in the conditional clause, we often use an imperative in the main clause. If we drop
SHOULD,

we suggest a bigger probability.

a If you (happen) to change your mind, please (let) us know. b If by any chance she (come) home, (tell) her to wait for me, would you?

c If you (receive) another allowance from your parents, you must pay me back. d You didnt study, so I dont think she will let you through; but if she (let) you through, (ring) me up, please. e If you (come) across my wedding ring anywhere, please (telephone) me at once.

12 Revision exercise.

a Your jacket is very creased. If you (sling) it over the back of the armchair, it (not crease). b I overslept this morning. If you (set) your alarm clock as I told you last night, you (not oversleep). c We were hidden behind a bush, but she saw a spider and shrieked with fright. If she (not shriek) with fright, they (not discover) us. d If I (be) in your shoes, I (not be) so meek and mild. I (be) tougher. This is what they deserve. e He scored five baskets in the first minutes of the second half, which spurred his team to victory. If he (not score) them, his team probably (not win) the game. f Why dont you ask him to help you? If he (not be) so angry with me, I __________. (short answer) g She felt light-headed after drinking two gins and tonic, so she went to bed.

If she (not drink) any alcohol, she (not feel) light-headed, and (not have) to go to bed; and of course, she (be) here now. h My parents got very cross with me because we married in a registy office. If we (marry) in church, I (have) a very good dowry. i I dont think itll rain, but if it (rain), (bring) the washing in, please. j He talked ill about you. If you (make) a good impression on him, he (not talk) ill about you. k If you (not keep) this omelette in the fridge, it (spoil) in the heat. Dont worry! Ill put it in the fridge immediately. l If we (leave) now, we (reach) home in time to watch the match on telly. m I fell into the river and couldnt swim. But for her, I (drown). n I fell into the river and couldnt swim. But for her, I (be) dead now. o I hope you dont need any outside help; but if such (be) the case, you could always rely on us. p Does any of you want to work for us? If so, please (raise) your hands. If not, you can leave. q I had the accident because I was exhausted. If you (be) exhausted, why you (not stop) the car and (sleep) a little bit? r If I (tell) my mother a lie, she usually (find) out, so I

wont tell her any. s (not make) promises if you cant keep them. t My fathers lighter doesnt work because it hasnt got a flint. If it (have) one, it (work). u Her children are given to answering back. If she (not spoil) them so much, they (not do) such a thing. v If I (see) him, I (give) him a piece of my mind. What hes been doing is despicable. w What (happen) if I hit this button? If you (press) it, the machine (stop) working, so please dont. x If you (not slow) up, you never (recover) from your illness. But, I cant, doctor: my business cannot be neglected! Well, in that case, your illness will go from bad to worse, and in the near future you wont be able to work at all. If this (be) what you want, (not slow) up y Why didnt you tell me you were coming. If I (know) you were coming, I (prepare) a special meal. z If I (not give) up my studies, I (be) an important lawyer now; but my father fell ill, and had to take up a job as a waiter.

If is the most common conditional conjunction, but there are others, such as: AS/SO LONG AS, BUT FOR, ON CONDITION (THAT), PROVIDED/PROVIDING (THAT), SUPPOSE/SUPPOSING (THAT), UNLESS, WHENEVER, WHETHER...(OR NOT):
Unless it snows, well go on a ramble in the country. If it doesnt snow, well go on a ramble in the country.

But for her, we wouldnt be alive now. If it hadnt been for her, we wouldnt be alive now. Suppose/Supposing (that) she betrayedyou. What would you do (then)? What if she betrays you? What would you do if she betrayed you?/If she betrayed you, what would you do (then)?

If cannot be used in the following cases: -I dont know whether to sign the contract (or not). [whether + an infinitive] -Everything will depend on whether we can earn enough money (or not). [a preposition + whether] -Whether you do it or not is your responsibility. [Whether...or not is the subject.] -Its your responsibility whether you do it or not. [Another alternative to the one given above.] -Im not sure whether or not shell come/Im not sure whether/if (less formal) shell come or not.

Note the difference between the next two sentences: If you pass, please let me know. (Only if you pass.) Whether you pass or not, please let me know. (Let me know anyhow.)

We do not write a comma if we place the conditional clause after the main clause. However, if we invert the order, that is, if we put the conditional clause before the principal one, a comma is usually added:
I often have a nap if Im tired after lunch. If Im tired after lunch, I often have a nap. Should and would are interchangeable in the first persons (I, we), unless should means ought to. Note that there is a difference in meaning between could, might or would. For modal verbs,

13 Examples: If you would likea bottle of washing-up liquid, I can give you one. If you like, I can give you a bottle of washing-up liquid.

If you would like takes an object. When the object is not mentioned would must be removed. In other words, if you like is not followed by anything.

a If you (like), I can lend you a bottle of washing liquid. b If you (like) a bag of washing powder, Ill give you one. c They may take tomorrow off if they (like). d Ill buy you a drink if you (like). e If you (like) to take early retirement, we can see to it.

14 Examples: (inversion12) Should you see the enemy, keep still. (= If you should see the enemy, keep still.) Were I to divorce, I would/should marry again. (= If I were to divorce, I would/should marry again.) Had you told me before, I would/should have helped you. (= If you had told me before, I would/should have helped you.)

As has been seen in the examples above, we can place should, were or had before the subject to mean if. This construction is more formal than the one with if.

a I (be) you, I would resign. b I (be) to be given the job, I would accept it. c You (require) any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us. d You (apply) for the post, you would have obtained it. It is a pity that you did not. e You (inform) us earlier, we could have aided you in your research.

15 Examples: (special cases13)

If Paula wont take the exam, she wont get her degree. (= If Paula refuses to take the exam, she wont get her degree.) If you will/would give us your address and telephone number, we shall /will contact you as soon as possible. (= Please give us your address and telephone number, and we shall/will contact you as soon as possible/ Will [or Would] you please give us your address and telephone number so that we can contact you as soon as possible?) I should/would be very grateful if you would send me some information about your courses in Great Britain. (Please send me some information about your courses in Britain.) If you will play truant, we will/shall expel you from this school. (If you do not stop playing truant, we will/shall expel you from this school.) If she would tell me what worries her so much, I would/should be able to help her. (If she wanted to tell me what worries her so much, I would/should be able to help her.) If these medicinal herbs will cure me of my backache, I will/shall take them/Provided that these medicinal herbs will cure me of my backache, I will/shall take them. (= I will take these medicinal herbs, and my backache will be cured as a result.)

a If your car (not start), (use) this product. It works miraculously. b If you (hold) on, I (see) if the manager (be) in. c If you (skip) classes, you (fail). d I (buy) this electric razor providing that it (leave) my skin soft. e We (be) very grateful if you (keep) this secret.

16 Examples: (In this section, you have to fill in the spaces

given with in case, in case of or if.) Take this telephone number with you (just) in case you have a breakdown. If you have a breakedown, take this telephone number from the glove compartment. In case of war, you should leave the country. If war breaks out/If there is a war, you should leave the country.

In the first instance, you take the telephone number with you because you might have a breakdown. In the second example, you perform the action only when this happens; but this may not occur, in which case, you do not take this telephone number from the glove compartment. The third and fourth sentences above have similar meanings.

a __________ emergency, push this button. b __________ there is an emergency, push this button. c __________ fire, phone the fire brigade. d __________ there is a fire, phone the fire brigade. e The sky has clouded over. Take this umbrella with you __________ it rains.

17 Examples: (In this section, you have to rewrite the sentences

as shown in the examples.) We must go on strike, or (else) our wages will be reduced by half. We must go on strike, otherwise our wages will be reduced by half. Either we go on strike or our wages will be reduced by half. If we dont go on strike, our wages will be reduced by half. You go on ragging me about my nose(,) and Ill wring your neck. If you go on ragging me about my nose, Ill wring your neck.

a We must eradicate famine from the world, or many people will continue dying of hunger. b Either you submit your application forthwith or it will not be accepted. c You give me a hand, and Ill give you a stick of chewing-gum. d Youll have to study hard, otherwise you wont pass. e Put some petrol now, or else well run out.

18 Revision exercise. a If I (be) Mary, I (not breathe) a word of this to anyone. b If it (not be) for the children, I (leave) my husband. (I do not leave my husband on account of the children.) c Unless you (wait) for them, they (get) angry. So please wait for them. d If you (see) a fierce dog, you mustnt run from it.

e Can you go a little bit more slowly? If you (go) so fast, you (overshoot) the turning. f I couldnt watch the film on TV last night. Dont worry; theyll probably rerun it again. If so, I (not miss) it. g The fire engines got there in no time at all. If they (arrive) a bit later, the fire (destroy) everything. h The last time I went there they charged me an arm and a leg. If they (not charge) so much, I (go) there again. (But I wont.) i If you (like), you can come with us. j If you (like) to have a smashing dinner, you should go to the restaurant I told you about yesterday. k I did it only because they blackmailed me. If they (not blackmail) me, I (not do) it. l If you (sign) here, I (see) what I can do for you. (Please sign here, and Ill see what I can do for you.) m If they (not lend) you the money, I will. (= If they refuse to lend you the money, I will lend it to you.) n If I (be) you, I (take) his advice. You have nothing to lose by taking it. o I (be) you, I (follow) his advice. You have nothing to lose by following it. p You (require) anything from us, please (let) us know. q If you know your children have been found safe and sound, why you (be) so concerned about them?

r If you need a freezer, why you (not buy) one yet? s Come on! If we (not rush), we (not finish) in time. t Its not surprising that hes always the laughing-stock of the whole office. If he (not be) such a wimp, people (respect) him. u Youd better slow down a little if you (not wish) to fall ill. v Its been raining quite a lot lately. If it (not stop) raining, the reservoir (fill) up in a week or so. w Whenever I (eat) spicy food, I have terrible stomack-aches. So I wont eat this lunch, as it is very hot. x Why do always publishers proofread manuscripts before publishing them? If they (not proofread) them, some of them (be) published with errors. y If somebody (ask) you where I am, (tell) them Im in Brazil on holiday. z If you (not have) the heart to kill the old dog, why you (tell) her that you would.

PART 2

1 Complete the following sentences as appropriate.

a If it hadnt been for your advice, I...

b If you were aware of the many drawbacks of the contract, why...? c If he doesnt pay us back by Monday,... d If I were you,... e Ill take you there provided... f Ill teach you how to do it as long as... g But for her intervention, we... h I would have invited Laura if... i Should you require us,... j If you would like a racket,... k If you like,... l Id buy lots of things if... m If you hadnt drunk so much,... n If you had employed an screwdriver,... o Unless you have your parents consent,... p Suppose somebody recognized you what... q If somebody makes good use of their time at school, they... r We could have saved his life if... s Id be frightened to death if... t She might have passed the test if... u Youre going to get sunstroke if... v If they were to win the lottery,... w My parents normally tell me off if... x If you kicked the smoking habit,... y Had they been arrested,... z If my moped hadnt been stolen,...

2 Complete the following sentences as appropriate.

a If he had given himself up to the police,... b If my parents buy me a motorcycle,... c If you had fed the baby, it... d If my camera were not jammed,... e If there should be another earthquake,... f Ill tell you what happened so long as... g Ill go with you on condition that... h If it hadnt been for you,... i Providing these tablets will help me to get rid of my constipation, I... j If you will tell lies,... (= If you keep on telling lies,...) k If they wont let you in,... l If he were in her shoes,... m She wouldnt have gone there if... n If you dry up the dishes,... o If you didnt trust her, why... p If I were implicated in a murder,... q If he hadnt mocked (at) me,... r If I went overseas for over a year and found some squatters at home on my return, I... s If he feels drowsy,... t If my husband/wife snored at night,... u If you hang up your jacket,...

v But for her spell,... w If you hadnt put your pullower on back to front,... x If you had read the set books,... y If I were immortal,... z Unless we go halves on the drinks,...

PART 3
1 Rewrite each of the following sentences without changing its meaning. Use IF. Example: Stop fooling about or Ill go home. If you dont stop fooling about, Ill go home.

a Stop winding the clock, or youll overwind it. b He thrust at her with a machete, so she shot him dead. c This frying pan has gone rusty because you didnt leave it to drain when you last washed it. d The reason why I didnt attend the meeting was that they wanted to try to involve me in their shady business. e You didnt turn up at the party, which annoyed her. f I took off my shoes in order not to wake up my parents. g I dont want you to get home late any more, or else you wont get any pocket money. h You havent eaten your supper, so you will not watch the telly this evening.

i Either you give up smoking, or youll die in less than a year. j She was ill in bed, and couldnt come to your date. k You let me drive, and Ill give you a kiss. l In case of theft, phone the police at once. m Nobody was hurt because he was near, and was able to defuse the bomb. n I didnt get the job because I was left of centre. o You tell me that name again and Ill break your neck. p I didnt get a wink of sleep last night. Therefore, Im very tired. q Weve just missed the bus. As a result of this, well have to wait till tomorrow. r Help us out and well repay you. s Ill show you a photograph of her to jog your memory. (If..., will this jog...?) t Put these things away, or you wont have anything for dessert. u My father was in high spirits, so I asked him to let me come back home late. v I hope it wont rain this afternoon, since it will prevent us from climbing. w When the police stopped me, I was as sober as a judge. This is why, they didnt fine me. x We must hire a taxi, or well miss the basketball final. y She lost faith in him, so she didnt tell him anything about the matter. z He had fallen for her, which is why he believed her.

2 Rewrite each of the following sentences without changing its meaning. Use IF.

Example: He arrived there so late because he had had a puncture. If he hadnt had a puncture, he wouldnt have arrived there so late.

a Without your piece of advice, we wouldnt have been able to do it. b You trod in a puddle because you werent looking where you were going. c Maybe she got cross with you because you told her that she should go on a diet. d We hate going for a walk in the rain, and its raining. (Do not use hate.) e We must leave now, otherwise we wont be punctual. f As you havent been a good boy, you wont watch telly tonight. g Either you come on time, or I wont wait for you. h You sticked your neck out by telling the boss he was wrong, so its not surprising that youre fired now. i England has not got much chance of qualifying for the final, since Brazil has won against England. j Now, we cant lose the match against Greece, or well be

eliminated from the competition. k Well, Italy can beat Brazil, which would make things easier for us. l You finish your dinner, and Ill take you to the zoo tomorrow. m You work overtime this week, and Ill give you next Monday off. n In case of robbery, contact us immediately. o You failed because you skipped most of your classes. p Ill give you a hundred pounds to refresh your memory. (If..., will this refresh...?) q Dont eat between meals, or youll get fat. r She saw a viper on her bed, which made her scream with terror. s She couldnt explain herself because he rang off. t Breathe deeply, and youll feel the clean air in the country coming into your lungs. u She likes him a lot because hes straightforward. v Having a child is a rewarding experience, but you have to have one to understand this. w Our children must study our mother language, or else itll die out. x Think about being stuck up. What would you do? y He got the job because he has qualities of leadership. z With my salary, its very difficult to make both ends meet.