□ If he were not so absent-minded, he would not have missed the train yesterday. Если бы он не был таким рассеянным, он бы не опозлал вчера на поезд.
4. Unreal conditions may also be expressed in the following ways:
a) But for + noun/pronoun
□ But for the rain, we would go down to the country.
Если бы не дождь , мы бы поехали за город.
b) If it were not for + noun/pronoun
had not been for
□ If it were not for your help, I wouldn't be able to finish my work in time. Если бы не ваша помощь ...
□ If it hadn't been for me, they would have never found the place. Если бы не я ...
5. In sentences of unreal condition the modal verbs "might" and "could" are often used
instead of "would"; they fully retain their modal meaning:
□ If I had a big garden I would
could ci> grow a lot of flowers.
might
6. Adverbial clauses of condition containing the verbs had, were, could, should are often
introduced without any conjunction. In these cases we find inversion:
гйТ 1 -,
XI I I had I time, I would come over.
□ Had I time, I would come over.
Xj she | were| in New York, she would certainly call yoih
□ Were she in New York, she would certainly call you.
Indirect Speech:
"If I had a big garden I would grow a lot of flowers".
□ He said that if he had a big garden he would (could/might) grow a lot of flowers.
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EXERCISES
Ex. 1. (A, B) Make sentences. Choose from the boxes.
If +
| we don't hurry I can't get a flight you come home late I don't feel well you have any problems | please come in quietly. I'm not going to work. we'll be late. I'll try to help you. I'll fly home on Sunday. | |
| I can understand you It will be nice You'll be cold What are you going to do I'm sure they'll understand | + if | you don't wear a coat. you don't pass your exam? you explain your problem. you speak slowly. you can come to the party. |
Ex. 2. (A, B) Choose the correct form of the verb: RIGHT/WRONG.
1. If I don't feel/won't feel well tomorrow, / stay/I'll stay at home.
2. If the weather is/will be nice tomorrow, we can go to the beach.
3. It will be hard to find a hotel if we arrive/will arrive late.
4. The alarm will ring if there is/will be a fire.
5. I am/will be surprised if they get/will get married.
6. Do/will you go to the party if they invite/will invite you?
7. If I am/will be late this evening, don't wait for me.
8. What shall we do, if it rains/will be raining?
9. I 'II be able to understand you, if you speak/will speak slowly.
Ex. 3. (A, B) Practise the following according to the model.
Model: He runs round the park every morning, so he keeps very fit. If I ran round the park every morning I would keep fit too.
1. He lives in the South, so he can grow a lot of flowers.
2. They use electric typewriters, so they finish their work soon.
3. He lives near his work, so he is never late.
4. He goes to bed early, so he always wakes up in time.
5. His French is good, so he reads French books in the original.
6. They have a maid, so they can enjoy themselves.
Ex. 4. (A, B) Look at the warning signs. What would you say to somebody who's ignoring them? Model:
Danger!
Keep away from the edge!
□ If you don't keep away from the edge, you'll fall down.
(to fall down)
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Danger! Thin ice!
Danger! No smoking!
(to step on the ice/to be drowned)
(to smoke here/to be a fire)
Dangerous road!
Wet paint!
(to drive fast/to have an accident)
(to ignore the sign/to get dirty)
Beware of the dog!
Horn forbidden!
(to ignore the sign/to get bitten by the dog) (not obey the sign/to get fined)
Ex. 5. (A, B) Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form.
I
1. If I had this tool, I (give) it to you.
2. If he worked more slowly, he (not make) so many mistakes.
3. I could give you his address if I (know) it.
4. He might get fat if he (stop) smoking.
5. If he knew you were away, he (not come).
6. I (keep) a gardener if I could afford it.
7. What would you do if the lift (get) stuck between two floors?
8. He (not go) there if his family were not invited.
9. The car wouldn't break so often if you (have) it serviced regularly.
1. If I (know) her better, I (introduce) you.
2. The journey takes about 3 hours by bus. You (get) there much sooner if you (go) by train.
3. If I (have) money with me then, I (can lend) you some.
4. He couldn't find a job when he came to Germany. If he (like) children, he (work) at school.
5. The teacher told Peter that he (not pass) the exam if he (not work) harder.
Ex. 6. (A, B)
I. Use "might" instead of "would" to give the meaning of "perhaps".
1. She's getting fat. If she (not eat) much sweet, she (lose) weight.
2. I didn't watch the film yesterday. If I (have) some free time yesterday, I (watch) it.
3. She feels very tired in the morning. If she (go) to bed earlier, she (not feel) so tired.
4. He's not a strong man. If he (go) to the fitting center, he (be) stronger.