Conditional Tutorial – допълнителни материали – част 2

From: teacher_snezhana
To : all students from upper-intermediate level
Subject: grammar – conditionals

Connected with my last-week promise the article on conditional is now available on website.
Please, study it carefully and do all the exercises up to the subheading Mixed Conditionals. If you have any questions we can discuss them in the upper-intermediate classroom. Mixed conditionals are our topic this week.

Conditional Tutorial -part 2

Continuous Conditionals
You should be familiar with continuous verb tenses such as Present Continuous, Past Continuous, Future Continuous, Present Perfect Continuous, Past Perfect Continuous, and Future Perfect Continuous. But many English learners are not aware of the fact that we can use continuousness in imaginary situations as well. Study the examples below to learn how to create continuous Unreal Conditional sentences that will make you sound like a native speaker.

Present Unreal Conditional + Continuous
FORM
If-clause: [were + present participle]
Result: [would be + present participle]
USE
Present Unreal Conditional + Continuous is used to discuss imaginary situations which could be happening at this very moment.
Examples in the if-clause:
If the sun were shining, I would go to the beach.
Unfortunately, it is raining so I can’t go.
If Sam were sitting here, we would be able to ask him the question ourselves.
But Sam is not sitting here. He is somewhere else.
We would be able to go sailing if the wind were blowing.
But there is no wind, so we can’t go sailing.
Examples in the result:
If I were in Hawaii, I would be lying on the beach.
But I am not in Hawaii.
If my grandfather were here, he would be talking about the war.
But he is not here.
I would be rafting down the Colorado River right now if my leg weren’t broken.
But my leg is broken, so I am not there.

Past Unreal Conditional + Continuous
FORM
If-clause: [had been + present participle]
Result: [would have been + present participle]
USE
Past Unreal Conditional + Continuous is used to discuss imaginary situations happening at a very specific time in the past or over a period of time in the past.
Examples in the if-clause:
If I had been talking to him when he said that, I would have punched him in the face.
But I wasn’t talking to him when he said that.
If he had been standing near the house when the wall collapsed, it would have killed him.
Luckily, he moved away before the wall fell.
Examples in the result:
If you had gone to his house last night, he would have been sitting on his couch in front of the TV.
But you didn’t go to his house, so you didn’t see what he was doing.
If she had missed her train, he would have been waiting for her at the station for hours.
Luckily, she caught her train and he didn’t have to wait.

NOTICE that the Past Unreal Conditional + Continuous can be used like the Past Continuous in imaginary situations to emphasize interruptions or parallel actions in the past.
Examples in the if-clause:
If James had been crossing the street when the car ran the red light, it would have hit him.
If Tom had been studying while Becky was making dinner, he would have finished his homework early and they could have gone to the movie.
Examples in the result:
If James hadn’t stopped to tie his shoe, he would have been crossing the street when the car ran the red light.
If you had gone to their house last night, Bob would have been reading the newspaper, Nancy would have been talking on the phone and the kids would have been watching TV. They always do the same things.

NOTICE that Past Unreal Conditional + Continuous can also be used like Present Perfect Continuous or Past Perfect Continuous in imaginary situations to emphasize a duration of time.
Examples in the if-clause:
Scott said he had been studying Greek for more than five years. If he had been studying the language that long, I think he would have been able to interpret for us at the airport.
Sarah claimed she had been waiting in the rain for more than twenty minutes by the time we arrived, but she wasn’t even wet. If she had been waiting that long, I think she would have been totally drenched by the time we arrived.
Examples in the result:
Terry’s plane arrived ahead of schedule. If I hadn’t decided to go to the airport early, she would have been waiting there for more than twenty minutes before I arrived.
At the travel agency yesterday, I waited for more than an hour for somebody to help me. Finally, I got up and left. If I hadn’t decided to leave, I would have been sitting there forever.

Future Unreal Conditional + Continuous
FORM
If-clause: [were + present participle]
Result: [would be + present participle]
USE
Future Unreal Conditional + Continuous can be used like the Future Continuous in imaginary situations to emphasize interruptions or parallel actions in the future.
NOTICE The future form looks the same as the present form. The future is indicated with words such as „tomorrow,“ „next week“ or „in a couple of days.“
Examples in the if-clause:
If I were waiting there next week when he gets off the plane, he would be totally surprised.
But I will not be waiting there, so he won’t be surprised.
If he were staying in that hotel next week while the conference is being held, he might be able to meet some of the key speakers and tell them about our new product.
I don’t think he will be able to stay at the hotel, so he won’t be able to meet anybody there.
Examples in the result:
If I were able to go to the train station tonight to meet Sandra, I would be standing on the platform waiting for her when she arrives.
I won’t be able to go to the train station, so I will not be standing there when she arrives.
If you went over to Paul’s house after work, he would probably be sitting there at his computer surfing the Internet.
But you won’t go over.

Conditional Exercise 9
Continuous Conditional Forms
Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate conditional form.

1. They canceled all the flights out of Chicago today because of the blizzard. If it (snow, not) so hard, I would not be stuck in the airport.

2. Charles arrived late again to work yesterday. He came running into the office complaining of car problems, but everyone knew it was a lie. If the boss (stand) there when he showed up, I am sure he would have been fired.

3. If I were in Hawaii right now, I (sunbathe) on a beach. I would not be stuck here in this office with mountains of paperwork.

4. John is so incredibly lazy! If we went over to his house right now, I bet he (lie) on the couch with some pizza in one hand and a remote control in the other.

5. If I were a millionaire, I (work, not) here in this factory. I (shop) in Paris, (ski) in Innsbruck or (sail) the Mediterranean on my super yacht.

6. I wish we had time to organize a surprise party for Linda. If all of her friends (sit) in her apartment waiting for her when she gets home from work tomorrow, she would be so surprised!

7. If she (stay) in that hotel next week while the trade show is being held, she might be able to meet some contacts and tell them about our new line of computer software.

8. When Mike came home yesterday, he claimed he had been jogging. I didn’t believe a word he said. If he had really been jogging, he (sweat) or at least out of breath. I think he went down to the coffee shop and had a donut.

9. Jane’s plane arrived a half an hour ahead of schedule. If we hadn’t decided to go to the airport early, she (wait) there a long time before we arrived.

10. If Sam hadn’t stopped to pick up that quarter, he (cross) the street when the car ran the red light. He could have been killed!

11. When I went up to the cash register to pay for the Coke, the lady behind the counter was talking to a friend of hers on the phone. I waited and waited until I finally had to demand that she help me. If I hadn’t said anything, I (wait) there for hours.

12. I am looking out the window right now and I see children playing soccer and hide-and-go-seek in the street. If it were winter, it would be too cold to play outside. All the kids would be indoors. They (watch) TV, (read) books or (play) board games with their friends.

13. If Bob (stand, not) behind us right now, I would tell you what happened. Just wait until he leaves, and I’ll tell you the whole story.

14. Did you hear about the bomb the terrorists planted on the plane yesterday? A bag full of plastic explosives was in the cargo bay. Luckily, nobody was hurt. The plane with the bomb was having some engine problems so the passengers had to disembark. If they hadn’t had difficulties with the engine, the passengers (sit) in the plane when the bomb went off. Talk about a miracle!

15. If you went to the studio early tomorrow morning, you (wait) there when the actors arrive for work. I’m sure you could get ten or twenty autographs that way.

Mixed Conditionals
Those of you who have been following the Conditional Tutorial should now be familiar with present, past and future conditional verb forms. Sometimes Unreal Conditional sentences are mixed. This means that the time in the if-clause is not the same as the time in the result. Study the examples below to learn how to mix conditional verb forms like a native speaker.

Mixed Conditional Patterns
PAST PRESENT
Examples:
If I had won the lottery, I would be rich.
But I didn’t win the lottery in the past and I am not rich now.
If I had taken French in high school, I would have more job opportunities.
But I didn’t take French in high school and I don’t have many job opportunities.
If she had been born in the United States, she wouldn’t need a visa to work here.
But she wasn’t born in the United States and she does need a visa now to work here.
PAST FUTURE
Examples:
If she had signed up for the ski trip last week, she would be joining us tomorrow.
But she didn’t sign up for the ski trip last week and she isn’t going to join us tomorrow.
If Mark had gotten the job instead of Joe, he would be moving to Shanghai.
But Mark didn’t get the job and Mark is not going to move to Shanghai.
If Darren hadn’t wasted his Christmas bonus gambling in Las Vegas, he would go to Mexico with us next month.
But Darren wasted his Christmas bonus gambling in Las Vegas and he won’t go to Mexico with us next month.
PRESENT PAST
Examples:
If I were rich, I would have bought that Ferrari we saw yesterday.
But I am not currently rich and that is why I didn’t buy the Ferrari yesterday.
If Sam spoke Russian, he would have translated the letter for you.
But Sam doesn’t speak Russian and that is why he didn’t translate the letter.
If I didn’t have to work so much, I would have gone to the party last night.
But I have to work a lot and that is why I didn’t go to the party last night.
PRESENT FUTURE
Examples:
If I didn’t have so much vacation time, I wouldn’t go with you on the cruise to Alaska next week.
But I do have a lot of vacation time and I will go on the trip next week.
If Cindy were more creative, the company would send her to New York to work on the new advertising campaign.
But Cindy is not creative and the company won’t send her to New York to work on the new campaign.
If Dan weren’t so nice, he wouldn’t be tutoring you in math tonight.
But Dan is nice and he is going to tutor you tonight.
FUTURE PAST
Examples:
If I weren’t going on my business trip next week, I would have accepted that new assignment at work.
But I am going to go on a business trip next week, and that is why I didn’t accept that new assignment at work.
If my parents weren’t coming this weekend, I would have planned a nice trip just for the two of us to Napa Valley.
But my parents are going to come this weekend, and that is why I didn’t plan a trip for the two of us to Napa Valley.
If Donna weren’t making us a big dinner tonight, I would have suggested that we go to that nice Italian restaurant.
But she is going to make us a big dinner tonight, and that is why I didn’t suggest that we go to that nice Italian restaurant.
FUTURE PRESENT
Examples:
If I were going to that concert tonight, I would be very excited.
But I am not going to go to that concert tonight and that is why I am not excited.
If Sandy were giving a speech tomorrow, she would be very nervous.
But Sandy is not going to give a speech tomorrow and that is why she in not nervous.
If Seb didn’t come with us to the desert, everyone would be very disappointed.
But Seb will come with us to the desert and that is why everyone is so happy.

Conditional Exercise 10
Mixed Conditionals
Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below following the example given with the appropriate conditional form.
Top of Form
1.a. She will take care of the children for us next weekend because her business trip was canceled.
1.b. But, she (take, not) would not be taking care of the children for us next weekend if her business trip (be, not) had not been canceled.

2.a. Tom is not going to come to dinner tomorrow because you insulted him yesterday.
2.b. But, he (come) if you (insult) him.

3.a. Marie is unhappy because she gave up her career when she got married.
3.b. But, Marie (be) happy if she (give, not) up her career when she got married.

4.a. Dr. Mercer decided not to accept the research grant at Harvard because he is going to take six months off to spend more time with his family.
4.b. But, Dr. Mercer (accept) the research grant at Harvard if he (take, not) six months off to spend more time with his family.

5.a. Professor Schmitz talked so much about the Maasai tribe because she is an expert on African tribal groups.
5.b. But, Professor Schmitz (talk, not) so much about the Maasai tribe if she (be, not) an expert on African tribal groups.

6.a. I am unemployed because I had a disagreement with my boss and I was fired.
6.b. But, I (be, not) unemployed if I (have, not) a disagreement with my boss and I (be, not) fired.

7.a. Nicole speaks Chinese fluently because she lived in China for ten years.
7.b. But, Nicole (speak, not) Chinese fluently if she (live, not) in China for ten years.

8.a. I will not help you study for your test because you have spent the last two weeks partying and wasting time.
8.b. But, I (help) you study for your test if you (spend, not) the last two weeks partying and wasting time.

9.a. Eleanor and Ben are not going skiing with us this year because Eleanor just had a baby.
9.b. But, Eleanor and Ben (go) skiing with us this year if Eleanor (have, not, just) a baby.

10.a. I am completely exhausted, so I will not go with you to the movies tonight.
10.b. But, if I (be, not) completely exhausted, I (go) with you to the movies tonight.

11.a. She is not worried about the conference tomorrow because she is not giving a speech.
11.b. But, she (be) worried about the conference tomorrow if she (give) a speech.

12.a. Frank is not going to the graduation ceremony because he broke his leg snowboarding last week.
12.b. But, Frank (go) to the graduation ceremony if he (break) his leg snowboarding last week.

13.a. They are not releasing the prisoner next month because there was so much public opposition to his parole.
13.b. But, they (release) the prisoner next month if there (be) so much opposition to his parole.

14.a. The hotels filled up months in advance because the festival is going to include jazz artists from around the globe.
14.b. But, the hotels (fill) up months in advance if the festival (include) jazz artists from around the globe.

15.a. We are not worried about the recent string of robberies in the neighborhood because the police have started regularly patrolling the area.
15.b. But, we (be) worried about the recent string of robberies in the neighborhood if the police (start, not) regularly patrolling the area.

Were To
„Were to“ in the Present
FORM
[If … were to + verb …, …]
USE
„Were to“ can be used in the present to emphasize that the conditional form is extremely unlikely or unthinkably horrible. Notice that this special form is only used in the if-clause.
Examples:
If she were to be rich, she would be horribly obnoxious.
It is very unlikely that she would be rich.
If I were to have no friends, who would I spend my time with?
Having no friends is a horrible thought.
If Nathan were to be my boss, this job would be intolerable.
Nathan’s being my boss is a horrible concept.
„Were to“ in the Future
FORM
[If … were to + verb …, …]
USE
„Were to“ can be used in the future to emphasize that the conditional form is extremely unlikely or unthinkably horrible. Notice that this special form is only used in the if-clause.
Examples:
If I were to lose my job next year, I would probably not find a new one quickly.
Loosing my job would be terrible.
If he were to fail his driving test tomorrow, he would have to take it again.
He is not likely to fail his driving test.
If Sarah were to show up late to the birthday party, it would ruin the surprise.
Sarah will surely come on time.

„Were to“ in the Past
FORM
[If … were to have + past participle …, …]
USE
„Were to“ can be used in the past to emphasize that the conditional form is extremely unlikely or unthinkably horrible. Notice that this special form is only used in the if-clause.
Examples:
If the fire were to have destroyed the building, it would have been a tragic cultural loss.
The thought of such a loss is too horrible to consider.
If the dam were to have burst, the entire town would have been destroyed.
Such destruction is too horrible to consider.
If Sarah were to have failed the final test, she would have lost her scholarship.
She is an excellent student, and it is very unlikely that she would have failed the test.

Conditional Exercise 11
„Were to“ in Past, Present and Future
Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate conditional form.
Top of Form
1. She loves her husband. If she (get) a divorce, it would devastate her.

2. If they (tear) down that old opera house, we would not have any historical architecture left in the city.

3. If the hurricane (hit) Miami, thousands of people might have lost their lives.

4. I can’t stand him. If he (be) hired, I would quit.

5. I have no fire insurance. If my house (burn) down, I would have no way to buy new furniture.

6. If he (be) found guilty, he would have gone to jail for 30 years.

7. If the airlines (cancel) the flight, I would never make it to the family reunion on time.

8. He was not wearing a motorcycle helmet. If he (crash) into that car, he would have been killed.

9. If the government (increase) income tax, I would not be able to survive.

10. If I (lose) my job, I would use the Internet to find a new one.

Conditional Final Test
All Conditional Forms
Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate conditional form.
Top of Form
1. (If / When) I leave work, I usually go to the fitness center to work out.

2. She hates TV. She thinks television is a waste of time. (If / When) she watches any television at all, it is usually a documentary or a news program.

3. My friend always keeps in touch by mail. (If / When) I get a letter, I usually write back immediately.

4. If I (have) enough money, I (go) on safari to Kenya. However, my bank account is empty!

5. I love to travel! When I (have) enough money, I (go) abroad. I do it almost every year.

6. I really wanted to go on safari to Kenya with my friends, but I couldn’t afford to go. If I (have) enough money, I (go) with them.

7. I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were allergic to chocolate. If I (know) , I (make) you a vanilla birthday cake.

8. Stop asking me what Amanda bought you for Christmas. Even if I (know) what she bought you, I (tell, not) you.

9. Nobody here speaks English. Too bad Gloria isn’t here. If she (be) with us, she (can) act as our interpreter.

10. I am afraid I won’t be able to come to your wedding next week because my company is sending me to New York to attend a trade show. I (miss, never) your wedding if I (have) a choice in the matter.

11. If the weather is nice tomorrow, she (walk) along the river to school.

12. If you help me move tomorrow, I (treat) you to a dinner and a movie.

13. If you were to help me move tomorrow, I (treat) you to a dinner and a movie.

14. If I were in Tahiti right now, I (snorkel) along a beautiful reef. I wouldn’t be stuck here in this office with mountains of paperwork.

15. If Jerry hadn’t stopped to pick up that quarter, he (cross) the street when the bus ran the red light. He might have been killed!

16. Tina’s train arrived ahead of schedule. If I hadn’t decided to go to the train station early, she (wait) there for more than twenty minutes before I arrived.

17. If I (pass) the test, I (get) an „A“ in the class. Instead, I got a „C.“ I really should have studied more.

18. If I (be) rich, I (buy) that new Mercedes we saw yesterday. Unfortunately, I can’t even afford a used car.

19. We (go) skiing this weekend, but there’s no snow. Oh, well! We will just have to find something else to do instead.

20. If Heather spoke Chinese, she (translate) the email for you yesterday.