15JULY

UNIT 8
Conditionals, wishes and regrets
The main linking words for conditional clauses are if and unless, but even if, as/so long as, supposing, whether.. or however (+ adjetive/determiner), whoever, wherever, whenever, etc., providing/provided (that), no matter who/how/when, etc. can also be used:
If they're short of money, the don't eat out. (zero conditional)
if present, present
You'll have a tussle with the management if you go ahead with that plan. First Conditional: possible future action (note: that if you should go ahead.... or should you go ahead are more formal)
Future(will/going to) if Present Simple
If they had a bigger garden, they could grow their own vegetables. Second Conditional, hipothetical but possible.
Modal (would/could)+ infinitive if past simple
Similary
If you were to join the commitee, we'd be very pleased. note. that Were you to join... is more formal
If you hadn't been late, you would have understood the lecture. (Third Conditional, referring to a past situation).
Third Conditional: modal + present perfect if past perfect
There are also mixed conditionals:
“If you had'nt been late, you'd know what we're talking about now”
and a more formal version of the third conditional:
Had you arrived on time, you would have understood the lecture.



a) Complete the sentences with the correct tense of verbs in brackets:
1.If you make a run for it, you'll catch the train
2.If Laura (not eat) so much, she wouldn't have put on weight. If Laura had not eaten so much, she wouldn't have put on weight. she wouldn't have put on weight if Laura had not eaten so much
3.If they (have) their car serviced regularly, it never lets them down. If they (have) their car serviced regularly, it never lets them down. Their car never lets them down if they would have their car serviced regularly.
4.The earthquake would have caused less damage if the housses (be) of stronger construction. The earthquake would have caused less damage if the housses had been of stronger construction. ? ... if the housses had been of stronger construction, The earthquake would have caused less damage.
5.If there (be) a good breeze on Sunday, we'll go hang-gliding.
6.you can get there more quickly if you (take) the short cut across the playing field.
7.If you (leave) the milk out of the fridge in this weather, it'll go off.
8.would you contribute to the fund if I (ask) you?
9.If I (drop) Eve's vase, she'd have been furious.
10.If you (be) really my friend, you'd led me the money.
11.had the councillors been re-elected, your proposal (be) accepted.
12.Productivity will improve if manufacturing procedures (be) streamlined.
13.(be) you to take out the relevant insurance policy, you would be complety covered.
14.No matter what (happen), I'll always stand by him!
15.Supposing the computer (break down), what would you do?
16.You can invate whoever you (like) to the barbecue.
b)
Complete the second sentence so that it means the same that the first one, using the word given you must use between three and eight words, including the word given.
(contactions count as two words).
Should you persist in your defiance of instructions, disciplinary action will be taken. (go)
if you________________ disciplinary action
If you changed your mind, you'd be welcome to join our staff.
change
Were you ___________________________ delightd to have you on the staff.
if I find that what you've told me is true, I'll resign my post. (out)
should your information ______________________ in my resignation.
if he fails the final examination, he won't be able to graduate (be)
Unless he_______________________________ unable to graduate.
Sally's dog wasn't muzzled, and so it bit the postman. (have).
If Sally's dog ______________ the postman.
Because the evidence was withheld, the prisioner was found guilty. (presented)
Had the evidence ____________________________ acquitted.
I wish/ if only + past simple are used to express a wish or regret about a current situation, by imagining its opposite.
i wish (that) Mark knew about it. If only Mark knew about it!
(sadly, Mark doesn't know about it)
Notice also:
I would rather Mark knew about it. (a preference rather a wish)
It's time (that) Mark Knew about it (in my opinion he should)
I wish / if only + would are used for a future wish – something we would like to happen:
If only Mark would come back! (I'm afraid he won't)
I wish you'd stop doing that. (you're annoying me)
I wish / if only + past perfect are used for a past wish o regret.
I wish someone had told Mark about it.
Note that we use could instead of would with wish when the subject pronoums are the same:
I wish I could see him. (NOT * I wish I would see him.)
Were is often used instead of was after wish and if only:
I wish Luke were here.
As if/as Though are often used in similar hipothetical situations:
don't treat me as if I were a child
He spoke as though he had been insulted.
c) Match the correct wish or regret on the left with the situation on the right.
if only he would tell her!
i wish he had stayed.
if only we knew what to do!
i wish he had told her
i wish we'd known what to do
it's time he stopped smoking.
i'd rather he stayed.
if only he'd stopped smoking!
it's a pity he didn't tell her.
we have not idea what to do
we didn't know what to do
I'd like him to stay, if possible.
I think he should stop smoking
he should have stopped smoking.



d) Complete the sentences, using the correct tense of the verb in brackets
No matter how many people (come) tonight, we'll have a great time!
He looked at me as if I (just land) from the moon.
supposing she (not agree), what would you do next?
However late you (be), there'll be a warm welcome for you.
Wherever they (end up), I'm sure they'll be happy.
It seemed as though nobody (spot) the obvious flaw in the plan.
We'll go along with the deal, provided we (receive) our fair share of the profits.
I wish the firm (not go) bankrupt, but the shares would still have been worhless.
Supposing the police (not come), what would you have done?
I'd be on your side even if you (not be) my friend.
He stared at me. It was as if he (not hear) a word I'd said.
However difficult you (find) the test, just try to complete it.

e) Make a new sentence for each situation, starting with I wish.
What a pity he's so boring!
It was a mistake of mine, accepting that job.
How unfortunate that they all herad about it!
It'd be useful to have shares in the company, but I haven't any.
I'd like him to contribute his opinions more tactfullly.
I should have gone to the conference
I simply can't remember Myra's address.
Is it ever going to stop snowing?