2º de Bachillerato - CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

Type I : Real Conditional

a) If + Simple past + would
a) If + Simple present + will
If I were the president, I would end unemployment.
Both condition and result are very likely to happen If I won the lottery, I would buy a Ferrari.
If I were you, I'd start packing now.
If John gets a good result, he will (he'll) study
medicine. b) If + Simple past + might
If he fails his exams, he will go abroad.
The result of the condition would be just a
b) If + Simple present + Imperative possibility.

This is a way of giving advice or instructions If you drove drunk, you might have an accident.
If he weren't so selfish, he might be happier.
If you feel tired, drink a cup of coffee.
If you can't wake up, buy an alarm clock. c) If + Simple past + could (the meaning of could
If you see my wife, tell her I'll be late for dinner. here is would be able to).

c) If + should + imperative If I had another £500, I could buy a car.

In this way we can suggest that something is unlikely d) If + were to + would

to happen, or is not particularly probable.
If war were to break out, I would emigrate to Mars.
If you should run into Peter Bellamy, tell him he
owes me a letter. (This makes a future possibility sound less probable).

d) If + Simple present + Simple present

Type III: Impossible conditional
This is a way of talking about laws of nature or things
that always happen The condition didn't happen in the past, and so the
result didn't happen either. It is used for speculating
If you heat ice, it melts. about past events.
If you fail your exams, you have to take them again
in September. a) If + Past perfect + Perfect conditional

e) If + Simple present + may If he had studied, he would have passed.

The result of the condition is just a possibility. b) If + Past perfect + might have

If we go to John's party, we may have a good time. If someone had heard the S.O.S., their lives might
If we don't give them directions, they may get lost. have been saved

f) If + Simple present + can c) If + Past perfect + could have (the meaning is

could have been able to).
If I haven't enough time today, I can wash your car
tomorrow. If my parent's hadn't been poor, I could have gone
to university
We use this form when we make present decisions
about future ability. Otherwise we use will be able
to. Unless

If you lose her telephone number, you won't be able Very often, unless can be used instead of if not. The
to contact her later. meaning of unless is an exclusive one (only if... not /
except on condition that...) and it is normally used
Type II: Hypothetical conditional in sentences that say 'A will happen if it is not
stopped by B'.
It is called so because the condition is contrary to the
facts or because it is very improbable. We use this Unless I find a good excuse (if I don't find a good
conditional to imagine what would it be like if things excuse), my father will punish me.
were different. I'll be back tomorrow unless there's a plane strike (if

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there isn't a plane strike). CONDITIONAL SENTENCES: EXERCISES
Let's have dinner out unless you're too tired (if you
aren't too tired).
1) Change these conditional sentences type I into
However, unless cannot be used in sentences that say type II
'A will result from B not happening.' Compare: and type III.
1.- If you give me some glue, I will stick the pieces
I will be glad if she doesn't come this evening. together.
*I will be glad unless she comes this evening. 2.- I will get you a newspaper if I can find one.
3.- He will be a good president if he is elected.
I will be surprised if she doesn't have an accident.
*I will be surprised unless she has an accident.
4.- There will be more people killed if we don't stop that
war.
Notice 5.- If you hurry, you'll catch your train.
The main clause can come first and the if clause 6.- If you are a good boy, I will take you to the cinema.
second, especially in questions.
What will he do if he fails his exams? 2) Rephrase the following sentences into
conditionals (types I, II or III) like in the example:
Inversion in conditional sentences
e.g. You were not at home yesterday. Your little
In literary style, we can sometimes omit if changing brother had an accident (type III) = If you had been at
the word order subject / auxiliary. This has nothing home yesterday, your little brother wouldn't have had
to do, of course, with an interrogative sentence. an accident.
1.- I forgot the car keys at home. I was late for work. (t.
If you should run into Peter Bellamy, tell him he
III). 2.- She hasn't got a university degree. She'd like to
owes me a letter. = Should you run into Peter
Bellamy... have a better job. (t. II)
If she were my daughter, I would send her to a 3.- I spent all my money on cigarettes. I need a
boarding school. = Were she my daughter... dictionary. (t. III).
If war were to break out, I would emigrate to Mars. 4.- You might see my sister. I need to tell her that our
= Were war to break out... father's gone on a business trip. (t. I, use SHOULD).
If he had studied, he would have passed. = Had he 5.- Susan is going to fail almost every subject this year.
studied....
She wants to go to university. (t. I)
4. Other words with conditional meaning 6.- He's not handsome. He'd like to have a beautiful
Many words and expressions can be used with a girlfriend. (type II, use MIGHT in the main clause).
meaning similar to if, (and with similar verb forms). 7.- The prison warder was having lunch. The prisoners
Some of the commonest are provided, providing,
providing, escaped. (t.III).
supposing, as long as, on condition that. 8.- I need a typewriter. It costs a lot of money. (t. I)
9.- I don't have enough time. I like reading very much.
Supposing you fell in love with your boss, what would
you do? (t. II) 10.- I don't like cooking. I always eat in restaurants
You can borrow my bike provided/providing you bring (t. II)
it back.
I'll give you the day off on condition that you work on 3) CONDITIONAL SENTENCES TYPE I: basic forms
Saturday morning. Write conditional sentences type I, using the
You are welcome to stay with us, as long as you share
given facts in your conditional clause, and adding
the rent.
a suitable completion,
e.g. He's thinking of going to England.
If he goes to England, he will have to learn
English.
1.- It looks as if those shoes in the window are my size.
2.- Don't drop that vase.
3.- It looks like being fine tomorrow.
4.- My father has suggested that I change my job.
5.- It seems that we'll be late for the theatre.
6.- Don't lose my library book!
7.- You may meet some friends of mine in London.
8.- He expects to pass his exams.
9.- They're hoping it will be a baby boy.

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10.- I anticipate getting a rise in salary next year. constant balance of payments problem.
5.- Since I know the meaning of the word, I don't have
4) CONDITIONAL SENTENCES TYPE I: present + to look it up.
present 6.- This exercise is easy, so everyone will get the
Answer these questions like in the example: correct answers.
What happens if you heat ice? 7.- I know the answer so I can tell you. 8.- We haven't
If you heat ice, it melts. any matches so we can't light the fire.
1.- What happens if flowers don't get any water?
2.- What must a motorist do if the traffic lights are red? 7) CONDITIONAL SENTENCES TYPE III.
3.- What materials do you need if you want to write a Complete the sentences, following one of the
letter? (you = one) patterns of conditional sentences type III.
4.- What do you like to drink if you are thirsty? (you = 1.- I would have enjoyed the party much more if...
you) 5.- Who do businessmen go to see if the want to 2.- It ... if the sea hadn't been so rough.
borrow money? 3.- Would you have been able to come next Tuesday
6.- What do you expect a teacher to do if you make a if...? 4.- If you had taken my advice...
mistake? 5.- If I had realized that you were really serious in what
7.- What must one have if one wants to visit a foreign you said,...
country? 6.- If it hadn't been for the fact that his father has
8.- Who do people go to see if they feel ill? influence...
9.- What happens if there is a power failure? 7.- If he were to have told me the truth in the first
10.- How do people dress in your country if they work place... 8.- Would you have lent him the money if...?
in an office? 9.- What difference would it have made, even if...?
10.- If the fire brigade had arrived but a quarter of an
5) CONDITIONAL SENTENCES TYPE II: hour earlier,...
Answer the questions with conditional statements 11.- I'm sure she wouldn't have married him if...
of Type II. 12.- If..., we would have left without them.
1.- What cities or other places of interest would you visit
if you went to America? 8) CONDITIONAL SENTENCES TYPE III
2.- What would you do (or not do) if you could live your Change the following sentences into conditionals
life over again? type III like in the example:
3.- What would you say or do if someone called you a He didn't know his wife was going to be sitting at the
fool? 4.- If a visitor came to your town, what places next table, and so he took his secretary to the Golden
would you advise him to see? Tower restaurant =
5.- What famous person would you like to meet if you If he had known his wife was going to be sitting at the
had the chance? next table, he wouldn't have taken his secretary to the
6.- What country would you choose if you decided to Golden Tower restaurant.
live abroad? 1.- Bob didn't hear about it in time, and so he didn't join
7.- What changes would you make in your house, Oliver's expedition to Afghanistan.
assuming you had the money? 2.- She changed her nationality on marriage, and so
8.- What would you do if you saw a house on fire? he didn't need to have her visa extended.
9.- What would you do if you had something stolen? 3.- The Hotchkisses ran out of marmalade, and so
10.- Which books or records would you take with you if they had apricot jam this morning.
you went to live on a desert island? 4.- I didn't know Oswald was going to be present, and
so I went there.
6) CONDITIONAL SENTENCES TYPE II. 5.- Guy didn't tell Hazel about the girl he met at the
Write conditional sentences type III based on the party, and so Hazel wasn't annoyed.
given facts. 6.- I had nothing better to do, and so I turned on the
We don't have any wood, so we can't light a fire. television to watch this infantile rubbish.
If we had some wood, we could light a fire. 7.- Wilfred was suddenly taken ill, and so he and his
1.- Since she doesn't love him, she won't marry him. family didn't go on holiday to Greece.
2.- Our teacher explains things clearly, so we 8.- Miranda didn't see that the customer was going out
understand his lessons. without paying, and so she didn't rush out and stop her.
3.- As I haven't a watch, I can't tell you the time. 9.- Slasher Higgins was carrying a gun when they
4.- Britain doesn't export enough, so she has a caught him, and so he didn't get a shorter sentence.

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10.- Nobody told me it was your birthday, and so I were thirsty.
asked you to clean out the larder. 28.- If you had touched that electric cable you (be)
11.- Percy was playing the fool all day, and so we didn't electrocuted.
get more work done. 29.- If the story hadn't been true the newspaper (not
12.- Mr Gibson didn't marry the girl he loved thirty print) it.
years ago, and so he wasn't a happier man. 30.- I (not buy) things on the instalment system if I were
13.- There was no chance of rescuing survivors, and you.
so they called off the search. 31.- Dial 999 if you (want) Police, Ambulance, or Fire
14.- He started running a bath and then forgot about it, Brigade,
and so the water overflowed, and we had all this trouble 32.- You (not be) any use to me unless you learn to
and expense. 15.- He listened at the door of the type. 33.- If anyone attacked me, my dog (jump) at his
boardroom, and in that way he learned that he was throat. 34.- If he were in he (answer) the phone.
going to lose his job. 35.- The ship would have run aground if the pilot
(make) one mistake.
9) CONDITIONAL SENTENCES: MIXED TYPES. 36.- I shouldn't have taken your umbrella if I (know) that
Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tenses: it was the only one you had.
1.- If you (find) a skeleton in the cellar don't mention it
to anyone. 10) CONDITIONAL SENTENCES: mixed types.
2.- If you pass your examination we (have) a Finish these sentences, taking care to use correct
celebration. 3.- What (happen) if I press this button? tenses.
4.- I should have voted for her if I (have) a vote then. 1.- If he had taken my advice...
5.- If you go to Paris where you (stay)? 2.- If you ate less...
6.- If someone offered to buy you one of those rings, 3.- We'll send for the doctor if...
which you (choose)? 4.- If she practised more...
7.- The flight may be cancelled if the fog (get) thicker. 5.- If there isn't enough wine in that bottle...
8.- If the milkman (come) tell him to leave two pints. 6.- If you had checked the petrol before we started...
9.- Someone (sit) on your glasses if you leave them 7.- This clock wouldn't have run down if...
there. 10.- You would play better bridge if you (not talk) 8.- Try on the blue one if...
so much. 11.- What I (do) if I hear the burglar alarm? 9.- If these gates are locked...
12.- If you (read) the instructions carefully you wouldn't 10.- If we leave before breakfast...
have answered the wrong question. 11.- If the river rises any higher...
13.- I could repair the roof myself if I (have) a long 12.- Her life might have been saved if...
ladder. 14.- Unless the turn the radio off I (go) mad. 13.- If the volcano starts erupting...
15.- If you were made redundant what you (do)? 14.- The glass would look better if...
16.- We'll have a long way to walk if we (run) out of 15.- Unless it is a nice day...
petrol here. 16.- If you don't put enough stamps on the letter, the
17.- If you shake that bottle of port it (not be) fit to drink. person who gets it...
18.- I'll probably get lost unless he (come) with me. 17.- He would lend it to you if...
19.- You (not have) so many accidents if you drove 18.- Unless this hotel gets another cook...
more slowly. 19.- If the storm becomes worse...
20.- If you (wear) a false beard nobody would have 20.- If your uncle sees you...
recognized you. 21.- If you tried to climb it without a guide...
21.- If she (leave) the fish there the cat will get it 22.- If you didn't shake the camera so much, your
22.- Unless they leave a lamp beside that hole in the photographs...
road somebody (fall) into it. 23.- I'd have brought my coat...
23.- You'll get pneumonia if you (not change) your wet 24.- If you don't like the picture...
clothes. 25.- He would have given her diamonds...
24.- If I had known that you couldn't eat octopus I (not 26.- If you had asked his permission...
buy) it. 27.- If the fire had been noticed earlier...
25.- If they (hang) that picture lower people would be 28.- If you had any sense...
able to see it. 29.- You would have been angry if...
26.- She (be able) to walk faster if her shoes hadn't 30.- If he had put the flowers into water at once...
such high heels. 31.- I should have ordered more coal if...
27.- I (bring) you some beer if I had known that you 32.- If you leave the gate open...

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33.- You will have to go to the dentist if...
34.- He would have been drowned if...
35.- If I'd had a car...
36.- If Tom rings while I'm out...

11) CONDITIONAL SENTENCES: inversion

Rewrite these sentences as in the examples.
1 If you should need my help again, just give me a
ring. = Should you need my help again, just give me a
ring.
2 Were the Government to go back on this election
pledge, there would be a revolt among back-benchers.
=
If the Government were to go back...
3 Had I known you were ill, I would have visited you.= If
I had known you were ill,...

1.- If you should need to consult me again, you can

contact me at this number.
2.- The hospital can switch to an emergency generator
if the need should arise.
3.- If you should be late once again, you'll lose your
job.
4.- If it were not for the fact that his father is on the
board of directors, he would never have got the job.
5.- If such a merger were ever to be proposed, it would
undoubtedly be referred to the Monopolies
Commission.
6.- If it were not for the expense involved, I would go
there by air.
7.- If it hadn't been for your laziness, you could have
finished the work by now.
8.- If he had taken a little more time to think, he might
have acted more sensibly.
9.- If the attempted assassination had succeeded, there
would almost certainly have been civil and political
chaos.
10.- If the driver of the train hadn't reacted so quickly,
the accident would have been much worse.