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Unit 11: Conditional Sentences
There is a set of expressions which force us to use the past tense: I wish you were here; If only we Notes
found it!; I'd rather you spoke frankly; It's time we left.
Whenever we want to invite co-operation or indicate that people or events frustrate our desires,
instead of the past we use would: I wish you would hurry up!; I wish it'd stop raining! If only it'd
stop raining!
Type 3: unreal conditions
If + past perfect perfect modal (past time reference)
Completely hypothetical situations, totally contrary to past fact!
If we had caught that train, we'd have arrived on time! [Bloody hell! We didn't catch it!]
Conjunctions introducing conditional sentences Si… = If; Si no / A no ser que… = Unless
Type 0: IF = WHEN(EVER) - If I make a promise, I keep it.
IF = AS, SINCE, BECAUSE - If you haven't done your homework, you won't be able to follow
this lesson.
SUPPOSE/SUPPOSING - Suppose I go to NY, what will you do? Suppose I went to NY, what
would you do? Suppose I had been to New York, what would you have done?
Also, ON CONDITION/PROVIDED, AS LONG AS
Task Complete the sentences, following any correct sequence of tenses.
1. If only …, you wouldn’t now be in such a difficult position.
2. If …, tell him I’m out.
3. I can’t understand why …, unless he thinks we are all fools.
4. If you are to succeed in your career, …
5. As long as…, swimming in this river is fairly safe.
6. If you were to explain the situation to him, I’m sure…
7. Is there any point in your coming with us if…?
8. How …, if you didn’t know my address?
9. If Mr Bing rings up while I’m at lunch…
10. I can’t possibly advise you properly unless…
11. If …, I shall blame you for it.
12. If you knew the answer, why…?
13. My neighbour said I could borrow his lawn-mower provided that …
14. If anything has occurred to make you change your mind, …
15. When …, supposing we left immediately?
16. Had it been anyone but you that spoke to me in such a way, …
Contd...
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