UNIT8 CONDITIONALS & RELATED FORMS

UNIT 8

CONDITIONALS & RELATED FORMS

Part A - Warm-up & Review Identify the conditional forms in each sentence or dialogue. Use the terms type 0, type 1, type 2, type 3, or mixed. 1. “Can I borrow some DVDs from your movie collection?” “As long as you bring them back, take as many as you want.” 2.

If a jet travels faster than the speed of sound, there is an explosion known as a sonic boom.

3.

If you look into the sky tonight after midnight, you may see the lunar eclipse.

4. “How would our society function without the Internet?” “Probably just fine!” 5.

Had I not been so busy, then I would have been able to take you out.

6. If you had more self-confidence, you would’ve handled yourself better at yesterday’s job- interview.

7.

Were it not for the advice I’ve been giving you, you wouldn’t be making so much money from your investments.

8.

Don’t water your cactus plants too much otherwise you’ll ruin them.

9.

If you are driving and you feel tired, stop as soon as you can and rest.

10. Assuming she’s not terribly angry with you, Janice just may forgive you.

12. If I hadn’t burned that chicken, we wouldn’t be eating at this nice restaurant.

Write three or four sentences for each of the situations below using different conditional forms. Photo 1 - If he’s not careful, he’s going to drop all the boxes. If he drops the boxes, he may break something. If someone helped him, he wouldn’t be having problems now.

2

3

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11. I’d rather we had taken our holiday in February, because then our air fare would’ve been a lot cheaper.

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REFERENCE SECTION 1. Introduction Conditional sentences refer to real or unreal situations. There are four basic conditional forms (e.g. Type 0, Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3). There is generally a cause and effect relationship between the two parts of a conditional sentence:

It it rains, you’ll get wet. (You’ll get wet because of the rain.) If he hadn’t been careless, he wouldn’t have slipped. (He slipped because he was careless.)

2. Type 0 Conditionals (Factual) Type 0 conditionals refer to situations that are factually true. They also refer to regularly or habitually occurring actions or situations. We can use the linker then: If (When / Whenever) you heat ice, (then) it melts. If (When / Whenever) it rains heavily, (then) our local river floods. We can replace if with when or whenever with type 0 conditionals without affecting meaning. 2.1 - We can use type 0 conditionals to refer to past situations. We use the simple past in both clauses:

If (When / Whenever) our parents took us out to eat, it was always to a pizzeria.

2.2 - We can use an imperative instead of an if-clause and the impersonal you:

Care for plants and they thrive. (If you care for plants, they thrive.)

2.3 - Type 0 conditionals can express suggestions or common sense advice. We can use verb / modal forms related with advice or suggestions (e.g. should, may, imperative, etc.):

Never use an ATM if (when / whenever) you are on a dark street. If you’re having migraines and regular medicine isn’t helping, then you should see a specialist.

2.4 - We use type 0 conditionals for inferences or assumptions about the present or the past. We can use different verb forms. We cannot replace if with when / whenever in such cases: If it’s winter in Canada, then it must be snowing. If you came to class yesterday, then you must have seen the argument between Chris and Paul.

3. Type 1 Conditionals (Predictive) Type 1 conditionals refer to something that will really happen. Such sentences frequently refer to future plans or intentions. We can use different modals (see Unit 7) depending on how certain we are:

If you’re free during the weekend, you’ll be able to help me move to my new apartment. If we don’t feel tired, we are going to / will / may / could / help you.

3.1 - We generally use the simple present in the if clause, but not a verb form or modal referring to the future (e.g. will, must, may, etc.): *If it will be hot tomorrow, we’ll go swimming. *If prices will continue increasing, I must find a second job. However, we can use will in the if clause, when we are referring to a person’s willingness (or unwillingness) to do something:

If you will let me speak, I’ll tell you what I think. If he won’t pay me, then I will / must sue him.

We also use would in positive sentences:

If you would let me speak, I’ll tell you what I think.

3.2 - We weaken the condition expressed in the if clause with the modal should, the form happen to, or both of them combined: If it should / happens to / should happen to rain, we won’t be able to play golf. If we should not / happen not / should happen not to understand, will the instruction manual help us? We can further weaken the condition, expressing that the situation is very unlikely, by using inverted forms (see Unit 5): Should it rain, we won’t be able to play golf. Will the instruction manual help us should we not understand? (There is no contraction when we use inverted forms e.g.- *Shouldn’t we understand...) 3.3 - We use the subjunctive in the if clause with the set expressions if need be and if that be the case:

If need be, I’ll lend them money for their holiday. You say Mark is lying to us. If that be the case, (then) how can we trust him? CONDITIONALS & RELATED FORMS

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4. Type 2 Conditionals (Present Hypothetical) Type 2 conditionals refer to a situation which is either hypothetical (unlikely yet possible) or counterfactual (presently impossible):

If I had the money, I would buy a really nice sports car. (Hypothetical - I currently don’t have the money, but there is a chance that I may find it.) If Plato were alive, he’d probably be a university professor. (Counterfactual - It is impossible for Plato to be alive today.)

4.1 - We use a simple past form in the if clause, however we are not referring to the past. We usually use the form were for all persons: I’m currently single. If I were married, I would want my husband to help with the housework. 4.2 - We use type 1 conditionals when we are reasonably certain something is going to happen. We use type 2 conditionals when we are not so certain something is going to happen:

If I call you tomorrow, will you help me? (Very strong possibility for me to call you) If I called you tomorrow, would you help me? (Very weak possibility for me to call you)

4.3 - We weaken the condition expressed in the if clause with the form were to:

If you were to become a rich, would we be friends?

We can further weaken the condition by using inverted forms (see Unit 5):

Were you to become rich, would we be friends? Were you not to eat so many sweets, you would lose weight. (There is no contraction with inverted forms e.g.- *Weren’t you to eat...)

We can use were alone:

If you were / Were you rich, would we be friends? Were it not so expensive, I would buy a sports car.

5. Type 3 Conditionals (Past Hypothetical) Type 3 conditionals refer to situations that we cannot change because they are in the past:

If I had been more careful, I would have avoided the accident. (I wasn’t careful. I had an accident.) If I hadn’t been speeding, I wouldn’t have driven off the road. (I was speeding. I drove off the road.)

5.1 - We use could or might when expressing uncertainty about a past outcome: 90

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If you had seen the movie, you might / could have enjoyed it. (I’m somewhat certain.)

5.2 - We weaken the conditional by using inverted forms (see Unit 5):

Had you not been talking, you would’ve heard my instructions. (*Hadn’t you been talking,...)

5.3 - We use mixed conditionals when a past action has caused a current outcome, or when something currently true caused something to happen in the past:

If you weren’t such a careless driver, you wouldn’t have had that accident. (You had the accident because you are generally a careless driver.) We wouldn’t be taking the bus to work, if you hadn’t destroyed our car. (We are now taking the bus to work because you destroyed our car.)

5.4 - We usually place the conditional clause after the main clause: When emphasizing the main clause: We wouldn’t be in this mess if you had taken my advice. The main clause is rather long: You will permanently maintain a healthy weight, a low cholesterol level and low blood pressure if you’re careful with your diet. When we’re asking a question: Why is he complaining if he doesn’t have any problems? 5.5 - We usually place the conditional clause before the main clause: When making inferences: If you saw Mary with a little girl, it must have been her niece. When giving polite directives: If you look up to the ceiling, you’ll see a beautiful crystal chandelier. When being sarcastic or humorous: If John can cook, then I’m a five-star chef! 6.

Other Conditional Linkers

6.1 - We use for in type 2 and type 3 conditionals to emphasize one situation directly causes another:

If it weren’t for my parents, I wouldn’t be able to go to university. It it hadn’t been for the traffic, I wouldn’t have been so late.

6.2 - We use but for for positive situations:

But for my parents, I wouldn’t be in university.

6.3 - We use only if and unless to make a condition more emphatic. For type 1 conditionals, we can use these forms with the imperative:

Apply / You can apply for the job only if you have previous experience. Don’t apply / You cannot apply for the job unless you have previous experience.

6.4 - We frequently use unless with a negative clause: We can’t leave unless it stops raining. I wouldn’t have passed the exam unless I had been given more time to do it. 6.5 - We use the form unless + not in type 0 conditionals. It has the same meaning as otherwise this means...:

You should work harder, unless you don’t want this job. (You should work harder, otherwise this means you don’t this job.) You should take your medication, unless you don’t want to get better. (You should take your medication, otherwise this means you don’t want to get better.)

6.6 - We use provided / providing that for positive conditions. We can also use as long as:

Provided that / As long as the weather is good, we can eat outside.

We can use assuming that (and not as long as, provided/ providing that) for positive and negative conditions:

Assuming that the bank turns down our loan, we won’t be able to expand of our business. (*Providing that the bank turns down our loan...)

We use as long as (and not provided / providing that) to express the same idea as since or because:

As long as / Since / Because we’re in a recession, I can’t find a job. (*Provided we’re in a recession...)

6.7 - We use a relative pronoun + ever (e.g. whatever, wherever, etc.), the form no matter + a relative pronoun (e.g. no matter what, where, etc.), the form as + adjective / adverb + as with may, or even if in the conditional clause to express the same idea as although:

As hard as I may study / No matter how hard / However hard I study / Even if I study hard, I don’t understand Algebra. (Although I study hard...)

6.8 - We use whether or not to eliminate all conditions:

I don’t understand Algebra whether or not I study. I don’t understand Algebra whether I study or not.

7.

Related Forms

7.1 - We can express a future possibility (type 1 conditional) with the verb hope:

I hope we have some free time. (If we have some free time, we’ll be able to go shopping.)

7.2 - We use in the event that or in the event of to express if something should happen:

In the event of a teachers strike / that there’s a teachers strike, schools will close. (If there is...)

7.3 - We use an imperative with in case, or, or else or otherwise for advice or a warning: Drive slowly or / or else / otherwise you’ll have an accident. Drive slowly in case you have an accident. 7.4 - We express hypothetical situations (type 2 & 3 conditionals) with the verb wish: I wish I had a million dollars to spare. We wish we had not been stuck in that traffic jam. We emphasize that we want someone to do something by using wish + would:

I wish they would make less noise.

7.5 - We use the forms would rather or if only to express a strong preference or wish:

If only / I would rather you spent less time surfing the Internet. If only / I would rather we had not gone there.

7.6 - We use as if to compare someone or something with an unreal situation:

My head is so sore that it feels as if it were about to explode.

7.7 - We use hypothetical forms after it’s time: Isn’t it time you did your homework. (You’re not doing your homework.) 7.8 - We use suppose to propose a hypothetical problem:

Suppose you lost your wallet. What would you do? Suppose you had lost your wallet. What would you have done?

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Part B - Activities ACTIVITY 1 (Grammar Reference 1) Answer the questions using factual conditionals. You may have to look up some information

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1. If it’s 5 am Monday in Athens, Greece, what time and day is it in New York? If it’s 5 am Monday in Athens, Greece, then it’s ________________________________________ 10 pm Sunday in New York. ________________________________________

4. What is probably true about your best friend if it is Sunday afternoon? ________________________________________ ________________________________________

2. If it’s summer in South Africa, what season is it in Denmark? ________________________________________ ________________________________________

5. What is probably true if almost all stores in your city are closed during a weekday. ________________________________________ ________________________________________

3. What happens to olive oil when you pour it into water? ________________________________________ ________________________________________

6. If your lights are out in your whole area, what is the problem? ________________________________________ ________________________________________

ACTIVITY 2 (Grammar References 3,4,5,6) Rewrite the sentences so that they are conditionals. There is more than one possible answer for each.

ACTIVITY 3 (Grammar References 4,5,6) Rewrite the sentences so that they are conditionals using the prompts in bold.

1. Brian’s unhappy because his team lost the championship. Brian wouldn’t be unhappy if his team had won ________________________________________ the championship. ________________________________________

1. If I happen not to show up for dinner, you can start without me. Should I Should I not show up for dinner, you can start ________________________________________ without me. ________________________________________

2. Since we haven’t been invited, we can’t really go to Charlie’s party. ________________________________________ ________________________________________

2. Children should be allowed to use the Internet only if an adult is supervising them. unless ________________________________________ ________________________________________

3. David is an authority on global warming because he’s read countless books on the subject. ________________________________________ ________________________________________

3. I made it through my difficult period thanks to your support. But ________________________________________ ________________________________________

4. Because interest rates have gone up, a lot of people are reluctant to take out loans. ________________________________________ ________________________________________

4. You didn’t read the contract before signing it, so now you have so many legal problems. Had you ________________________________________ ________________________________________

5. Because the earth is heating up, glaciers and polar ice are melting. ________________________________________ ________________________________________

5. You use your cell phone so much, which is why you have so many headaches. Were you ________________________________________ ________________________________________

6. Because Paula has a really pleasant personality, she became head of public relations. ________________________________________ ________________________________________

6. If you don’t feel ready for your driving test, we can postpone it for a later date. Should you ________________________________________ ________________________________________

7. Teenagers are actually much better informed today thanks to the Internet. ________________________________________ ________________________________________

7. I don’t use my car to go anywhere unless I’m in a real hurry. only ________________________________________ ________________________________________

UNIT 8

ACTIVITY 4 (Grammar References 6,7) Rephrase the sentences so that they refer to conditional or hypothetical situations. Use the prompts. 1. Drive more slowly. You’ll have an accident. you don’t drive more slowly you’ll have an accident If ______________________________________. _________ in case _______________________.

4. Brush your teeth after every meal. You’ll get cavities. Brush your teeth after every meal ____________. Unless _________________________________.

2.

5. I really want you to help with the housework. I wish __________________________________. It’s time ________________________________.

My grandmother can’t use e-mail. I can’t contact her everyday. I wish __________________________________. I hope __________________________________.

3. I watched a horror movie and now I can’t sleep! I would rather ____________________________. I wish __________________________________.

6.

We should get to the concert early since we may not be able to find tickets. _________ in case _______________________. I hope __________________________________.

ACTIVITY 5 (All Grammar References) Complete the dialogues using an appropriate conditional form. 1. A Mary lost her job! At her age, I wonder if she’ll find another. B ____________________________________ She wouldn’t have if the economy weren’t so ____________________________________ bad. If she’s lucky, she many find another.

5. A I can’t decide between buying a new car or a used car. B ____________________________________ ____________________________________

2. A Are we going anywhere for the weekend or are we going to stay home? B ____________________________________ ____________________________________

6. A My mobile phone bill was really high! B ____________________________________ ____________________________________

3. A I really want to start getting into shape! B ____________________________________ ____________________________________ 4. A My computer is really slow! B ____________________________________ ____________________________________

7. A I think this movie is terrible! B ____________________________________ ____________________________________ 8. A I don’t have enough time to meet up with my friends! B ____________________________________ ____________________________________

ACTIVITY 6 (All Grammar References) Explain what you would do or how you would react in the following situations. Provide reasons 1. Suppose you found someone’s wallet (full of money and credit cards) and phone. What would you do? 2. Suppose you hadn’t been born in the 20th century. When would you have liked to be born?



3. Suppose you had the opportunity to address the parliament of your country. What would you say in your speech? 4. Suppose you could move to another country or city. Where would you like to live? 5. Suppose you were a famous celebrity. What sort of celebrity would you like to be (e.g. singer, actor, TV personality, athlete, etc.)? CONDITIONALS & RELATED FORMS

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THE CONSEQUENCES OF GLOBAL WARMING: NO LONGER IN THE FUTURE! We should start worrying about the consequences of global warming because we are already experiencing them! Global warming has already led to the following phenomena since 1980:

• Increased flooding has destroyed farmland as well fresh water sources • Rising sea levels destroying the livelihoods of coastal communities • Some Pacific islands are already disappearing • Ice from glaciers / mountain ranges has melted faster than ever before • Hundreds of millions suffering from total lack of water • Protracted drought, pollution, and heavy rains have affected quality & quantity of fresh water

WATER

• Over 1,000 plant & animal species have recently

ECO become extinct SYSTEMS

• 30% of the world’s species are currently facing the immediate danger of extinction • Demand for more farmland leads to deforestation which speeds up global warming since forests absorb significant amounts of CO2 (the main greenhouse gas) • Higher temperatures have increased severity of forest fires (which speeds up global warming) • Because there is little water smaller farmers cannot cope (cannot feed themselves or families!) • Agriculture has collapsed in many parts of Africa and Asia (leading to increased hunger) • Decreasing & collapsed fish stocks due to over- fishing but also higher water temperatures • Harvests are no longer predictable leading to increasing food prices • Farmers using more fertilizers & fossil fuels to produce more (which releases more greenhouse gases)

FOOD

WEATHER

• Weather patterns have become more extreme • 11 hottest years in history have occurred since 1980 • Heat waves more common than ever before • Farming impossible in many parts of the world • Rain has become less frequent but much heavier • Hurricanes more powerful due to higher water temperature (average hurricane wind-speeds have increased by about 30%) • Hot temperatures will melt Arctic and Antarctic ice leading to rising sea levels and flooding

Activity 7 Discuss the information with your classmates. Think of three or four statements for each category. For example: Water: Farmland wouldn’t be destroyed if there weren’t so many floods. So many people wouldn’t be losing their livelihoods, if sea levels weren’t rising. 94

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CRITICAL THINKING What can we do on a personal level do to stop or to slow down global warming? Use type 1 conditional forms. (e.g. If we use fewer fossil fuels, greenhouse gases will decrease.)

Part C - Consolidation ACTIVITY 1 Choose the best answer for each blank from the four choices. 1. I wish I ______ you about Ira’s short temper. I guess you found out for yourself! a. would tell b. would have told c. had told d. didn’t tell 2. ______ made their last mortgage payment, they may have lost their home. a. Only if had they b. If not c. Hadn’t they d. Had they not

8. If it’s 3 o’clock, Carla ________ her daily work- out. a. had to have b. going to have c. would have d. must be having

3. “Thank goodness it has been raining a lot.” “Yes, _______ we would have had to deal with a water shortage.” a. in case b. even if c. otherwise d. unless

10. “I locked myself out again last night.” “I wish you ________ to take your keys with you whenever you go out!” a. had remembered b. to remember c. would remember d. would have remembered

4. “You didn’t buy Jill a present for her birthday.” “I really _______ if I hadn’t forgotten about it.” a. would b. would have c. did it d. had done it

11. ________ a continued improvement in the economy, our current government may be re- elected. a. If there should have been b. If should be c. Should be there d. Should there be

9. ________ so obsessed with detail, they would be working a lot more quickly. a. They are b. Were they not c. If they aren’t d. Weren’t they

5. “I can’t believe you panicked during the robbery.” “Really? Well, what _______ if you had been in my position? a. have you done b. would you have done c. did were you doing d. would you have to do

12. If there is any sign that an ATM machine has been tampered with, ________ best not to use it. a. it would have been b. it is c. would be d. unless there is

6. ________ how busy I am, I always manage to visit to my parents. a. Not mattering b. Whatever the matter c. The matter isn’t d. No matter

13. If you haven’t read the latest financial news then you ________ that our company has made an offer to buy out our main competitor. a. wouldn’t have known b. hadn’t known c. may not have known d. may not know

7. We visit the mall every Saturday afternoon ________ we need to buy anything. a. not whether b. whether c. whether or not d. even whether

14. People should stop using their cars so much ________ want to breathe clean air in our city. a. unless they don’t b. unless they c. so that they don’t d. that they

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15. “I don’t want to fly to Florida.” “Would you rather _______?” a. to drive b. we would have driven c. having driven d. we drove

18. _______ the unemployment rate may be, certain low-paying jobs are always available. a. Even if high b. How high c. As high d. As high as

16. If _______ cell phones, a lot of Third World countries would have no telephone service. a. were it not for b. there wouldn’t have c. it weren’t for d. it hadn’t been

19. You’ll see the health benefits of exercise ______ you do it regularly. a. only if b. whether c. unless d. but for

17. “Are you sure the meeting hasn’t been called off?” “Yes, I am, because _______ about it.” a. don’t hear b. would’ve heard c. may hear d. I had heard

20. Why has the reactor at Chernobyl never re- opened _______ so safe? a. had nuclear energy not been b. would nuclear energy be c. whether or not nuclear energy is d. if nuclear energy is

ACTIVITY 2 Complete the first sentence so that it has the same meaning as the second sentence. Do not change the word given. Try to use between two and eight words, including the word given.

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1.

I have to return home because I forgot my cell phone. forgotten I wouldn’t have to _________________________ my cell phone.

6.

I regret not spending more time with my great grandmother while she was still alive. spent If _________________________ more time with my great grandmother while she was still alive.

2.

Mary may be overwhelmed with work, but she’s always willing to help a friend in need. whether Mary is always willing to help a friend in need _____________________________ or not.

7.

Even if I asked all my friends for a small loan, no one was willing to help me out. matter No ______________________ for a loan, no one was willing to help me out.

3.

Otto hasn’t e-mailed me in a while so he’s probably really busy. not Were ___________________________________ e-mailed me.

8.

We can always call each other on our cell phones if it’s necessary. be If ______________________ we can always call each other on our cell phones.

4. Call me at home only if a real emergency crops up. don’t Unless a real _________________________ at home.

9. If you trust me then share your secrets with me. unless Share your secrets with me _________________ me.

5. I don’t want you to be eating anything in the living room. rather I would ______________________ in the living room.

10. If you don’t brush your teeth regularly you’ll have a lot of cavities. else Brush ______________________ you’ll have a lot of cavities.

UNIT 8

ACTIVITY 3 Choose the best answer for each blank from the four choices. Music lovers are no longer buying the latest CDs since the most current hits are available on the Internet. If consumers __(1)__ able to download music at little cost, they __(2)__ pay for CDs. Music industry spokespeople warn that, __(3)__ file-sharing stops, a lot of people are going to suffer. For example, __(4)__ 2001, 30 percent of music stores in the US have gone out of business. Helen Dumont, who recently closed down her store, blames file-sharing. “__(5)__ someone said ten years ago that we’d close for good, I __(6)__ them,” says Helen. Her music store __(7)__ operating since 1936. It now remains empty. “I wish governments __(8)__ on how to protect intellectual property rights,” Helen plaintively adds. Then there are those who defend file-sharing, complaining that CDs are over-priced. If CDs __(9)__ less, the argument goes, then there __(10)__ no incentive to download music. As __(11)__ the claim that downloading harms artists, the typical response is that musicians and singers make their money from live performances. __(12)__ their music is freely available on the Internet, singers and musicians __(13)__ guaranteed audiences. In fact, __(14)__ it not for filesharing, a lot of new talent __(15)__ gone unnoticed. Some believe that many young entertainers owe their careers to file-sharing. Without it, they __(16)__ unknown to a wider public.

1. will be had been

are have been

2. wouldn’t have to aren’t going to

didn’t hadn’t to



3. only if unless provided whether 4. in by for since 5. Because Unless Had When 6. wouldn’t have believed don’t believe

didn’t believe

7. had been has been is would be 8. are agreeing to agree agree would agree 9. will cost are costing

cost would cost

10. had been would be is were 11. for if long as considering 12. As long as Unless

If only But for

13. would have been will be

would be have been

14. if had were should 15. has had will have may have 16. would still be have still been

are still will still be

CRITICAL THINKING Do you feel guilty when you download music or movies from the Internet? Give reasons. Is downloading music or movies from the Internet a type of piracy? Explain. “Piracy in all forms (e.g. downloading from the Internet, photocopying, etc.) gradually undermines contemporary culture.” What do you feel about this statement? CONDITIONALS & RELATED FORMS

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