Unit 5

Zero conditional :present present What is always true If I work late, I get tired. First conditional : present future Possible situation in the future If you see Mark, tell him I'll ring him tomorrow. Second conditional: past s. would +inf. Unlikely or imaginary situation in the present or future. If I knew the answer, I'd tell you. (unreal present) If I were you, Id study more. (advice) I would be very happy if I won the lottery. (imaginary future) Third conditional: past perfect would + perfect infinitive Imaginary situation in the past If I had known you were coming, I would have met you at the station.

 Mixed

conditional I Imaginary situation in the past consequence in the present Past Perfect would + inf. Would the USA still be a British colony if Americans hadnt been so fond of tea?
Mixed

conditional II Condition in the general present, consequence in the past. Past Simple would + perfect infinitive If he cared more about his neighbours, he wouldnt have done it.

 If

you see Mark, tell him I MAY ring him tomorrow. If you see Mark, tell him I CAN ring him tomorrow. I COULD be very happy if I won the lottery. If I had known you were coming, I COULD have met you at the station. If I had known you were coming, I MIHGT have met you at the station.

 I'll

go ahead and get the tickets unless you call me this afternoon. (unless = if not) do what you say provided (that) the police are not informed.

I'll

Even
You

if it rains, we'll still go for a picnic.

will get a good grade as long as you study hard. long as he behaves himself, the security wont hurt him.

So

SHOULD If you should see Ann, could you ask her to call me? A little more tentative/less certain and the effect is often more formal.
HAPPEN TO If you happen to see Helen, could you ask her to call me? If you should happen to be passing, drop in for a cup of tea. Emphasises chance possibilities. INVERSION Should these trends continue, there may be major consequences on our health. Use it in rather formal, literary or dramatic contexts.

WERE TO If I were to ask you to marry me, what would you say? Sounds a little more tentative/less probable and the effect is often more literary/formal.

IF IT WERE NOT FOR/BUT FOR If it weren't for Jim, this company would be in a mess. But for Jim, this company would be in a mess.

INVERSION Were you to drink leaded wine, you would end up with major health problems. Use it in rather formal, literary or dramatic contexts.

 IT

HADN'T BEEN FOR/BUT FOR If it hadn't been for their goalkeeper, United would have lost. But for their goalkeeper, United would have lost. If you hadn't helped us, we would have been in trouble. But for your help, we would have been in trouble.
INVERSION

Had

you not helped us, we would have been in trouble.

 SUPPOSING

or SUPPOSE Can replace if, mainly in everyday speech. Supposing you won the football pools, what would you do?
OTHERWISE

= 'or if not. It can go at the beginning or end of the sentence. If you hadn't given us directions, we wouldn't have found the house. Thanks for your directions to the house. We wouldn't have found it otherwise.