Page 205 - DENG401_Advance Communication Skills

Advanced Communication Skills

Notes (c) If + should + imperative
In this way we can suggest that something is unlikely to happen, or is not particularly
probable.

If you should run into Peter Bellamy, tell him he owes me a letter.
(d) If + Simple present + Simple present
This is a way of talking about laws of nature or things that always happen
If you heat ice, it melts.

If you fail your exams, you have to take them again in September.
(e) If + Simple present + may
The result of the condition is just a possibility.
If we go to John's party, we may have a good time.

If we don't give them directions, they may get lost.
(f) If + Simple present + can
If I haven't enough time today, I can wash your car tomorrow.
We use this form when we make present decisions about future ability. Otherwise we use
will be able to.
If you lose her telephone number, you won't be able to contact her later.

Type II: Hypothetical conditional

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.
(a) If + Simple past + would

If I were the president, I would end unemployment.
If I won the lottery, I would buy a Ferrari.
If I were you, I'd start packing now.
(b) If + Simple past + might

The result of the condition would be just a possibility.
If you drove drunk, you might have an accident.
If he weren't so selfish, he might be happier.
(c) If + Simple past + could (the meaning of could here is would be able to).

If I had another £500, I could buy a car.
(d) If + were to + would
If war were to break out, I would emigrate to Mars.
(This makes a future possibility sound less probable).

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