Unit 3 Conditionals

1. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tense, then identify the types of conditionals as shown in the example.

1. If you don’t do (not/do) your homework, you won’t be allowed to go out. (Type 1)

2. If he __ (take out) a loan, he’d be able to buy a car.

3. Keep the noise down or else someone __ (hear) us.

4. The state of the economy __ (improve) provided that there is a change of government.

5. I won’t go on holiday unless you __ (come) with me.

6. If you __ (talk) less, you would be able to concentrate on your work.

7. If she __ (read) the newspaper, she would have known about the earthquake.

8. If the food __ (not/be) so good, we wouldn’t have eaten so much.

9. If you __ (stop) complaining, we would be able to get some work done today.

10. Even if I __ (phone) them, it would have been too late to change their minds.

11. Unless you __ (turn down) the music, I won’t be able to concentrate on what I’m doing.

12. Unemployment will decrease provided the government__ (take) appropriate measures.

13. If you continue to threaten me, I __ (have to) seek legal advice.

14. I__ (speak) to her if she apologised for her appalling behaviour.

15. I wouldn’t have been able to sit the exam if you __ (not/help) me.

16. What __ (he/say) if you told him the truth?

17. If you watch this film, you __ (get) an idea of how difficult life is for these tribes.

18. If you __ (cancel) within the time limit, we would have given you a full refund.

19. If she had realised how late it was, she __ (not/ring) us.

20. We could have some fresh air if you __ (open) the window.

2. Complete the text by putting the verbs in brackets into the correct tense.

Einstein is reported to have said, “If I 1) had known (know) the destruction I would cause, I 2) __ (become) a watch-maker. If we 3) __ (continue) to use nuclear energy as a : means of defence, we 4) __ (make) our planet uninhabitable. If the public 5) __be) more aware of the dangers, they 6) __ (demand) the right to live in a safer society. If the Cold War had developed into World War III, the human race 7) __ (be/wiped out) forever. Unless we 8) __ (discover) a way to prevent nuclear war, by the 21st century we 9__ (face) major disaster. Some scientists claim that if we 10) __ (tap into) the nat­ural energy in the universe, we 11) __ (provide) ourselves with a never-ending, pollution-free source of power. Only if we 12) __ (put) more money into research and less into defence 13) __ (we/be able to) discover other forms of energy. As long as we 14) __ (continue) to abuse knowledge and power, the earth 15) __ (remain) an insecure planet to inhabit.

3. Put the verbs into the correct forms.

1. I’ve hung out the clothes. It’s lovely and sunny; if it stays (stay) like this they will be (be) dry in two hours.

2. French is essential in this job. All the telephonists speak it. If they (not know) French they (not understand) half the callers.

3. How did you do in the car rally? ~ We came in last actually; but only because we got lost. If we (not got) lost we (come) in somewhere in the middle. We certainly (not be) last.

4. I wasn’t really surprised that we got lost because I knew that the navigator couldn’t map-read. ~ But if you (know) that why you (take) him as navigator?

5. This flat would be all right if the people above us (not be) so noisy.

6. A group of spectators, including myself, left the stand just before the end of the game. When we were half way down the stairs a goal was scored and there was a great cheer from the spectators. If there (not be) a goal the crowd (not cheer).

7. If the crowd (not cheer) we (not run) back up the stairs to see what had happened.

8. If we (not run) back we (not crash) into the rest of the spectators on their way down, and there (not be) this frightful accident.

9. If the pain (return) you’d better take another pill.

10. If you aren’t going to live in the house why you (not sell) it? If I (have) a house I couldn’t use I (sell) it at once.

11. No, I didn’t know any Russian at that time. ~ But if you (not know) Russian why you (offer) to give him Russian lessons? ~ Because I knew that he (refuse). He always rejected my offers.

12. Tell him to bring his bicycle inside. If he (leave) it outside someone (steal) it.

13. Why do people always wear dark clothes at night? If pedestrians (wear) light coloured clothes drivers (see) them much more easily.

14. She must have loved him very much because she waited for him for fifteen years. If she (not love) him she (not wait) so long.

15. He looked so small and weak that nobody asked him to do anything. If he (look) strong he (be) expected to dig all day like everyone else.

16. The government are talking of pulling the village down to make room for an airport. ~ If they (start) doing it the village people (resist)?

17. If you are catching an early train tomorrow you (like) to have breakfast at 7.00?

18. We’ll have to break the ice on the pond; otherwise the ducks (not be able) to swim. And if they (not be able) to swim they (not be able) to get food. (Use can/could forms where possible.)

19. When he left school he became a fisherman. His family didn’t like it at all. They (be) much happier if he (become) a greengrocer like his father.

20. They still say that if he (go) into the greengrocery business when he left school he (be) comfortably off now instead of being poor.

21. But he says that if he (have) his life again he (make) the same choice.

22. So many parcels and no baskets! If I (know) that we were going to buy so much I (bring) a basket.

23. No one bathes here. The water is heavily polluted. If you (bathe) in it you (be) ill for a fortnight.

24. I can hear the speaker all right but I wish I could see him too. ~ It he (stand) on a barrel we all (see) him and that (be) much better.

25. Look at poor Tom trying to start his car by hand again! If I (be) Tom I (get) a new battery.

26. I expect you’ll see Jack at the lecture tonight. If you (do) you please (remind) him about tomorrow’s meeting?

27. The headmaster decided that Peter was the culprit and expelled him from the school. (If the headmaster had been more intelligent he….)

28. But I blame the real culprit even more. If he (admit) his guilt Peter

(not be) expelled.

29. The only thing I haven’t got is a balcony. If I (have) a balcony I (grow) plants in pots. Then my flat (be) perfect!

30. Jack rang while you were out. ~ Oh dear! If I (know) he was going to ring I (stay) at home.

31. My unmarried friends are always telling me how to bring up my children. I sometimes think that if they (have) children they (make) just as many mistakes as I do.

32. (At a cinema) Ann: Don’t worry. They get married in the end. Mary: Then you’ve seen it before. If you (tell) me that we (go) to something else!

33. Be careful about the time. If you (spend) too long on the first question you (not have) enough time to do the others properly.

34. We had a lot of trouble putting the tent up. If it (not be) so windy perhaps it (not be) quite so difficult.

35. Ann (sitting beside her open fire): I love open fires; if I (have) nothing hut a radiator to sit beside I (get) quite depressed.

36. Lucy, a student at a residential college: Couldn’t I leave the hostel and get a flat, mother?

37. Mother: No, you couldn’t. I know very well what (happen) if you (have) a flat. You (play) the guitar all night and (miss) your classes in the morning; then you (fail) your exams and (have) to repeat the year. And you (not feed) yourself properly and (get) run down. And then you (catch) some infection and (die) of it, and we (have) to leave this district as the neighbours (keep) saying that we had caused your death by letting you have your own way!

4. Rewrite the following as conditional sentences.

1. You have to go to Athens to see the Acropolis.

If you go to Athens, you can see the Acropolis.

2. You need to pass your driving test before you can drive. Unless __ .

3. You must study harder to pass your exams. If__ .

4. As long as the rain continues we can’t play football. Unless __ .

5. Tom had to ask for a pay rise or he wouldn’t have got one. Unless __ .

6. You need all the right spices to make an authentic Indian meal. If __ .

7. Going there by bus will be cheaper than going by train. If __ .

8. Entering this competition could win you a mountain bike. If __ .

9. We will have to leave without him if he doesn’t arrive in the next 10 minutes. Unless __ .

10. We will be able to go swimming if the weather improves. Unless __ .

5. Read the following situations, then write as many conditional sentences as possible.

   1. As long as it rains, I’ll stay at home.

If it rains, I’ll stay at home. Only if it rains will I stay at home. I won’t stay at home unless it rains.

2. I’ll save money, then I’ll go to France on holiday.

3. Wait five minutes and I’ll give you a lift.

4. I’ll cook and you can do the washing up afterwards.

1. Rewrite the following sentences omitting “If”.

1. If I were you, I wouldn’t apply for the post of firefighter.

Were I you, I wouldn’t apply for the post of firefighter.

2. If you should go to the post office, could you buy me some stamps?

3.If anyone should ring, will you take a message?

4.If you had turned off the oven sooner, the pizza wouldn’t have burnt.

5.If I were younger, I’d accept his offer.

7. Rewrite the following as mixed conditionals.

1. He’s not a good worker, so he wasn’t promoted.

If he were a good worker, he would have been promoted.

2. They walked 40 kilometres, so they’re exhausted now.

3.You didn’t make an appointment so we can’t see you tomorrow.

4.She didn’t take the medication and now she’s ill again.

5.The flight left on time, so they will be in Moscow by now.

6.They were working in the rain all day, so they’re soaking wet now.

7.She didn’t study at all so she’ll do badly in the test.

8.He’s so gullible that he believed everything you said.

9.She was talking all day, so her throat is sore now.

10.He doesn’t listen to anyone’s advice, so he didn’t do what you suggested.

8. Complete the following sentences with an appropriate conditional clause.

1. If you want an exotic holiday, you should go to Thailand.

2. Unless you give him enough notice, __.

3. If you hadn’t overfed the cat, __.

4. Had I known she was in trouble, __.

5. Only if he apologises __.

6. The argument wouldn’t have started if__.

7. If I had more time, __.

8. You wouldn’t have had so much trouble if __.

9. Should I meet her again, __.

10. Had I known how late I was going to be__ .

11. Only if we start recycling __.

12. If you had tried harder, __.

13. Had he given me clearer instructions, __.

14. If we leave at six o’clock, __.

15. Should she ring while I’m out, __.

9. Complete the sentences using the words in italics. Use two to five words.

1. You’d better cut down on sugar.

were If I were you, I would cut down on sugar.

2. Tom got lost because we didn’t give him clear directions.

have Tom __if we had given him clear directions.

3.If you don’t criticise his work, he’ll never improve.

unless He’ll never improve __his work.

4.She doesn’t have many friends because she is shy.

Were If she __ have many friends.

5.We’ll only sign the contract if he changes that clause.

will Only if he changes that clause __the contract.

6.He’s afraid of heights, so he won’t come climbing.

were If he __he would come climbing.

7.Lucy can prepare the report, but she’ll have to be given instructions.

only Lucy can prepare the report __instructions.

8.As long as you give it back by Friday, you can borrow my book.

provided You can borrow my book __by Friday.

9.If you don’t lend us some money, we won’t be able to go to the theatre.

unless We won’t be able to go to the theatre __some money

10.She missed the meeting because her car broke down.

broken She wouldn’t have missed the meeting if __down

11.I need to get this to her, but I haven’t got her fax number.

had If __I could get this to her

12.He forgot about the invitation so he didn’t go to the dinner.

not Had __the invitation, he would have gone to the dinner

13.I think Bill should look for a better job.

were If __look for a better job.

14.We didn’t take a map so we got lost.

taken If __we wouldn’t have got lost

15.Mark didn’t tell her it was a secret so she told Pam.

have If Mark had told her it was a secret, __Pam.

10. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tense.

I have had a long career. If I 1) hadn’t been chosen (not/be/chosen) to play the lead in my school play, I 2) __ (not/become) what I am today. I was only nine and I’m sure I 3) __ (feel) nervous if 4) __ (not/have) my parents’ support. They encouraged me to take dancing classes after that. If only I 5) __ (not/refuse)! I love dance now and if I 6) __ (be) younger, I 7) __ (study) ballet. Apart from that, I don’t have many regrets about my career. I wish I 8) __ (perform) more in the theatre, but I suppose if I 9) __ (have), I 10) __ (not/have) time to do so many film roles.

11. Write sentences as in the example:

1. You didn’t watch the news so you didn’t know there was a train strike.

I wish I had watched the news. If I had watched the news, I would have know there was a train strike.

2. You work long hours and you can’t spend much time with your family.

3. You wanted to travel abroad but you forgot to renew your passport. You can’t drive a car so you can’t get around easily.

4. You wanted to play tennis but you broke your racquet.

5. You want to go swimming but you have lost your swimming costume.

6. You want to climb the mountain but you are afraid of heights.

7. You didn’t set your video correctly so you didn’t record the film.

8. You want to go out tonight but you haven’t got enough money.

9. You want to cook an Italian meal but you have no pasta left.

12. Rewrite the text using wishes or if-clauses as in the example:

Dear Mary,

I just had to write and let you know what a terrible day I’ve had today. As my neighbour is ill I offered to take her dog for a walk. My neighbour did warn me that he’s very energetic but I didn’t listen. He dragged me all around the park. What a disaster! He was so excited that he knocked another neighbour off her bicycle. Unfortunately she hurt her leg and she was very angry with me. I shouldn’t have taken the dog for a walk. To make matters worse, I had forgotten to lock the front door as we’d left the house in a rush. My house was burgled. Why was I so stupid? I hadn’t even renewed our house insurance. My husband keeps going on about it. Well, hopefully tomorrow will be better.

With love, Lisa

I wish I hadn’t had such a terrible day today.

13. Complete the sentences using the words in italics. Use two to five words.

1.It’s a pity I can’t go to the cinema today, but I have to babysit.

could I wish I could go to the cinema today, but I have to babysit.

2.It’s a shame we didn’t go out for dinner.

gone I wish __for dinner.

3.I don’t have many friends here.

had I wish __here.

4.It’s a pity I can’t go out tonight but I have to work late.

could I wish __but I have to work late.

5.It’s a shame we didn’t go home for Christmas.

gone I wish __for Christmas.

6.If it weren’t raining, we could go for a walk.

stop I wish __we could go for a walk.

7.It’s a pity that I wasn’t given the position.

been I wish __the position.

8.I’ve been offered a job in Spain, but I can’t speak Spanish.

speak I wish __because I’ve been offered a job in Spain.

14. Complete the following sentences as shown in the example.

1.If Bob hadn’t broken his leg, he could have come with us.

2.If only he hadn’t lied to Sally__.

3.If John is in trouble, __.

4.If only she had more patience, __.

5.If she had won the competition, __.

6.Ann wishes she had set the alarm, __.

7.I wish I hadn’t left the oven on too long, __.

8.If only I had written down her phone number, __.

9.If she hadn’t been sitting in the sun all afternoon, __.

10.Tom wishes he hadn’t gambled last Sunday, __.

15. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tense.

1. Suppose they had not turned up (not/turn up) to meet you, what would you have done?

2. If only I __ (not/eat) so much last night.

3. If she __ (tell) me it was a secret, I wouldn’t have told anyone.

4. Suppose you __ (miss) your connection, how would you have got home?

5. Suppose he __ (catch) you smoking, what would you do?

6. I’d rather we __ (leave) now.

7. If only I __ (not/stay) out so late last night.

8. It’s high time you __ (take) some responsibility for your actions.

9. Supposing you __ (fail) your exams, what would you have done?

10. It’s time you __ (light) the fire – it’s getting very cold.

11. She spends money as if she __ (have) loads of it, but I know she’s in debt.

12. If we __ (install) a burglar alarm, this wouldn’t have happened.

13. I’d rather we __ (go) home now.

14. I wish she __ (study) harder instead of watching TV all the time.

15. I’d rather she __ (not/wear) my dress last night. She’s ruined it.

16. Read the following situations, then make sentences using would rather or had better.

1. You want to play tennis not squash. I would rather play tennis than play squash.

2. You don’t want her to invite him to the party.

3. You want to be left alone to read and don’t want to go to the cinema.

4. It would be more sensible for you to go and rest for an hour.

5. I would prefer to spend Christmas in Spain and not go home.

6. We should have waited for him at home.

7. Mary always wears horrible orange lipstick. You wish she wouldn’t.

8. Your friend turns up late and you are angry with him.

17. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form.

1. I’d rather go (go) fishing this afternoon.

2. I’d rather you __ (not/wear) my red dress to the dance tonight.

3. I’d rather you __(say) that you didn’t want to come!

4. I’d rather__ (go) by plane but I couldn’t afford the air fare.

5. I’d rather you __ (not/use) such bad language! It upsets people.

6. We prefer__ (watch) films to __ (watch) political programmes.

7. I’d rather you __ (not/tell) them the news yet.

8. I prefer__ (cook) dinner rather than __ (eat) in that restaurant.

9. We’d prefer __ (call) our child David, rather than __ (call) him Stephen.

10. We would rather __ (recycle) our rubbish than __ (use) non-recyclable goods.

11. He had better__ (not/tell) her or I’ll be furious!

12. After a lot of thought, we’ve decided that we would prefer __ (get/married) in Portugal rather than in England.

13. It would have been better if she __ (give) us the information sooner.

14. You’d better __ (not/wake) her up because she hasn’t slept for two days.

15. I would prefer__ (pay) in cash rather than by credit card.

18. Fill in the gaps with the appropriate auxiliary verb.

1. She had her hair permed and now she wishes she had’t…

2. Her husband spends a lot of money and she wishes he __.

3. I suspect they’ll be late again but I wish they __.

4. She always forgets people’s names but she wishes she __.

5. He invited 20 people for dinner and now he wishes he __.

6. She doesn’t know how to use a computer but she wishes she__.

7. They never ring before coming round but I wish they __.

8. You’re always interfering in my affairs and I wish you __.

9. We didn’t invite the Smiths but I wish we __.

10. You told them I could do the job but I wish you __.

19. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form.

Dear Sarah,

I’m having an absolutely fabulous time here on Ischia! I wish you 1) had decided (decide) to come with me. It 2) __ (be) even better if you were here. I wish I 3) __ (try) harder to persuade you to come with me. If only you 4) __ (change) your mind! I’m sure you could get time off work if you 5) __ (ask). I/ you can’t come to Ischia, 6) __ (you/consider) meeting in Rome at the beginning of next month? Of course if you 7) __ (come) with me in the first place, we 8) __ (have) a great time right now. Anyway, if you 9) __ (give) me a ring, I 10) __ (tell) you exactly what my plans are and then you can decide what you want to do.

Love, Julia