Conditionals (2)

A Introduction

Rachel: Would you like some cake, Jessica?

Jessica: No thanks. If I ate cake, I'd get fat.

Rachel: But it's delicious.

Jessica: It looks delicious. Ifl had your figure, I'd eat the whole lot.

I ate cake and / had your figure are imaginary or unreal situations.

Jessica isn't going to eat the cake, and she hasn't got a figure like Rachel's.

B Type 2: If I ate cake, I'd get fat

IF-CLAUSE MAIN CLAUSE

if Past simple would

/// ate cake, I 'd get fat.

If l had your figure, I 'd eat the whole lot.

If we didn't have a car, we 'd find it difficult to get about.

If Rachel got up earlier, she wouldn't always be late.

Note the past simple (e.g. ate). We do not use would in the if-clause. not If I'd-ea^eake. But we can use would in the if-clause when we make a request.

If you'd like to come this way, the doctor will see you now. (= Please come this way ...)

As well as the past simple we can use the past continuous (e.g. was doing) in the if-clause.

If Rachel was playing her stereo, it wouldn't be so quiet in here. In a type 2 if-clause we sometimes use were instead of was, especially in the clause if I were you.

If Rachel were playing her stereo, it wouldn't be so quiet in here.

If I were you, I'd ask a lawyer for some advice.

The main clause often has would. We can also use could or might.

If we had a calculator, we could work this out a lot quicker.

If Rachel worked harder, she might do even better at her studies.

The if-clause usually comes first, but it can come after the main clause. If I knew, I'd tell you./I'd tell you if I knew.

C Type 1 and type 2

Compare these examples.

Type 1: If you have a lie-down, you'll feel better, (see Unit 144B)

Type 2: Ifl had a million pounds, I'd probably buy a yacht.

The present tense (have) refers to a possible future action, something which may or may not happen. The past tense (had) refers to something unreal. If I had a million pounds means that I haven't really got a million pounds, but I am imagining that I have. Compare these examples.

Type 1: If we take the car, we'll have to pay for parking.

Type 2: If we took the car, we'd have to pay for parking.

Here both sentences refer to a possible future action. But in the type 2 conditional, the action is less probable. If we took the car may mean that we have decided not to take it.

We can use type 2 conditionals in offers and suggestions.

If you needed a ticket, I could get you one.

If you felt like seeing the sights, we could take a bus tour. Type 2 is less direct than type 1 (Unit 144C). The speaker is less sure that you want to see the sights.

145 Exercises

Type 2 (A-B)

Comment on these situations. Use a type 2 conditional with would or could.

► Andrew is such a boring person because he works all the time.

You know, if Andrew didn't work all the time, he wouldn't be such a boring person.

► You can't take a photo because you haven't got your camera.
How annoying. // / had my camera, I could take a photo.

1 You can't look the word up because you haven't got a dictionary.
I'm sorry................................................................................... …………........……..

2 You don't write to your friends because you're so busy.

I've got so much to do...................................................................................................

3 You can't play tennis because your back is aching.

It's a nuisance............................................................................................................ …

4 Claire won't marry Henry because she doesn't love him.

Of course,........................................................................................................... ……….

5 Nick can't find the way because he hasn't got a map.
Nick's lost, but ................... …………………………..............…………………

6 David has so many accidents because he's so clumsy.

You know,.......................................................................................................................

Type l and type 2 (A-C)

Complete the conversation. Put in the correct form of the verb. You may need to use will or would. Matthew: I haven't forgotten your birthday, you know. If you like, (►) I'll book (1 / book) a table for

Thursday at our favourite restaurant. Emma: My birthday is on Wednesday, Matthew. You're playing basketball then, aren't you? If you

cared for me, (1)…………………………….. (you / not / play) basketball on my birthday.

Matthew: What's the difference? If (2)………………………………. (we / go) out on Thursday, it'll be just

the same. If (3)………………………………. (I / not / play), I'd be letting the team down.

Emma: Yes, I suppose (4)………………………………...(it / be) a disaster if you missed one game. Well,

if (5).......... …………………. (you / think) more of your friends than you do of me, you

can forget the whole thing.

Matthew: I just don't understand you sometimes, Emma.
Emma: If (6)………………………........... (you / think) about it, you'd understand. And 1 think

(7)………………………………(it / be) better if we forgot all about my birthday.
Matthew: Don't be silly, Emma. If you get into one of your bad moods,

(8) …………………………………(it / not / do) any good.

Emma: If you were interested in my feelings, (9) .................................... ………. (I / not / get) into a bad

mood.

Type l and type 2 (C)

What does the if-clause mean? Write a sentence with isn't or might.

? If this room was tidy, I could find things. The room isn't tidy.

? If we're late tonight, we can get a taxi. We might be late tonight.

1 If the phone was working, I could call you.

2 If it rains, can you bring the washing in?

3 If Mike was here, he'd know what to do.

4 If this spoon was silver, it would be worth a lot.

5 If Sarah calls, can you say I'll ring back?

Date: 2014-12-22; view: 2104