January 2014

A. If I could only master English conditionals

Conditional Sentence Type 1

→ It is possible and also very likely that the condition will be fulfilled.

Form: if + Simple Present, will-Future

Example: If I find her address, I’ll send her an invitation.

Conditional Sentence Type 2

→ It is possible but very unlikely, that the condition will be fulfilled. Conditional Sentences Type II refer to situations in the present. An action could happen if the present situation were different. I don't really expect the situation to change, however. I just imagine „what would happen if …“

Were instead of Was

In IF Clauses Type II, we usually use ‚were‘ – even if the pronoun is I, he, she or it –.

Example: If I were you, I would not do this.

Form: if + Simple Past, Conditional I (= would + Infinitive)

Example: If I had more money, I wouldn't live here.

Conditional Sentence Type 3

→ It is impossible that the condition will be fulfilled because it refers to the past. An action could have happened in the past if a certain condition had been fulfilled. Things were different then, however. We just imagine, what would have happened if the situation had been fulfilled

Form: if + Past Perfect, Conditional II (= would + have + Past Participle)

Example: If I had taken that job, I would have made a lot of money.

Conditional Sentences Type I

Complete the Conditional Sentences Type I.

• If you (go)  out with your friends tonight, I (watch)  the football match on TV.
• I (earn)  a lot of money if I (get)  that job.
• If she (hurry / not) , we (miss)  the bus.

Conditional Sentences Type II

Complete the Conditional Sentences Type II.

• If he (try)  harder, he (reach)  his goals.
• I (buy)  these shoes if they (fit) .
• It (surprise / not)  me if he (know / not)  the answer.

Conditional Sentences Type III

Complete the Conditional Sentences Type III.

• If we (listen)  to the radio, we (hear)  the news.
• If you (switch)  on the lights, you (fall / not)  over the chair.
• She (come)  to our party if she (be / not)  on holiday.

Conditional Sentences Type I, II or III

Complete the Conditional Sentences with the correct form (Type I, II or III).

• If I amwill bewerehad beenwould bewould have been stronger, I'd help you carry the piano.
• If we'd seen you, we stopwill stopstoppedhad stoppedwould stopwould have stopped.
• If we meetwill meetmethad metwould meetwould have met him tomorrow, we'll say hello.
• He would have repaired the car himself if he haswill havehadhad hadwould havewould have had the tools.
• If you drop the vase, it breakswill breakbrokehad brokenwould breakwould have broken.
• If I hadn't studied, I do not passwill not passdid not passhad not passedwould not passwould not have passed the exam.
• I wouldn't go to school by bus if I havewill havehadhad hadwould havewould have had a driving licence.
• If she doesn't seewon't seehadn't seendidn't seewouldn't seewouldn't have seen him every day, she'd be lovesick.
• I don't travelwon't traveldidn't travelhadn't travelledwouldn't travelwouldn't have travelled to London if I don't get a cheap flight.
• We'd be stupid if we tellwill telltoldhad toldwould tellwould have told him about our secret.

B. What would you do if you were elected president of France...

Your campaign manager is asking you to come up with ideas in the following topics:

• Retirement
• Transportation
• Security
• Employment

Write 2 sentences for each of the topics above describing what you would do if you were president of France. Remember to use the Conditional Type II sentence structure to express your plans.  Pressure is on, people want to hear your ideas Mr candidate!