75     17 CONDITIONALS 1
17 Practice
Exercise 1H9I
Underline the correct words.
1   If yvg^/we would be late, [heyXsJsrt/they'd start without us.
2   If we will take/take a taxi, we'll arrive!we arrive sooner.
3   If we worked/would work for ADC, we'll get/we'd get a better salary.
4   When inflation will go/goes up, there would be/is usually pressure on salaries,
5   If we don't hurry/won't hurry, we would be/we'll be late.
6   If you change/are changing your mind, give me/you will give me a ring.
7   Unless you dick/would dick on that icon, i'r didn't/it won't print out.
8   If you ordered/order on the Net, we always will send/send an emait confirmation.
9   If I lend!will lend you this book, when do you return/will you return it? 10   If you heard/hear anything in the next few days, fet me/letting me know.
Exercise 2H
Read these sentences and decide if the events are likely or imaginary. Complete the sentences by putting the j verbs in brackets into the present simple + will or the past simple + woufcf. Use contracted forms where possible.
1   It's not far. If you.........fife*........(follow) this road, you .....„'.!!..com£.......(come) t0 the 5tation
2   M '...........**^...........(be) on the Soard of this company, I......'..<}..&£$*&.....(argue) against the
merger.
3   " ľ°u.............................(have) any questions, I............................. (deal) with them at the end of my
presentation,
4   If the council.............................(ban) all cars from the city centre, there.............................(not be) so
much pollution.
5   A:    I have no idea what the other side are going to propose in the negotiation tomorrow. B:     Neither do I. If I.............................(know), I.............................(tel!) you,
6   A:    My train leaves in forty minutes.
3:     It only takes ten minutes to the station by taxi, if you.......................,.....(leave) now, you
.............................(catch) it.
7   A:    Is that the time? I really should be going.
B:     lf y°u.............................(wait)a moment, I.............................(give) you a lift.
S   A:    Would you like to go to English evening classes with me?
E:     I'm sorry, but I can't. I'm really busy. If I.............................(have) more time, I.............................
(lave) to.
Exercise 3|||
Complete the sentences with the correct pair of possible forms, a) or b).
1     if the bank lends us the money, ...A... it in new machinery, a) we'll invest/we're going ro invest b) we'd invest/we were investing
2     when.......•• a lot of orders, we always employ extra staff in the factory.
a) we'll get/we got b) we get/we've got
3     lf.........this project again, I think I'd do it differently.
a) I was starting/1 started b) I'll start/I've started
4     If the computer crashes,.........someone from the IT department.
a) you'd call/you are calling b) call/you'll have to call
17 CONDITIONALS 1     77
Exercise 4 ■■■■
Paula, a marketing manager of a car manufacturing company, is talking to her colleague Luis, a production manager. Complete their conversation with the words from the list below.
will (x2)   won't (x2)   would (x2)   wouldn't   unless (x2)   be   is   is going to be   don't   didn't
Paula:    Luis. Aren't you worried about the proposed strike?
LUIS;      Well, sure ...
PMJ1A   You see, if die factory workers go on strike, we (1) ................I!.............lose a lot of production. If
we lose production, we (2)...............................be able to supply all out customers.
Luis,      Yes, I know, but ,..                                              ,
paula*   And if we (3)...............................supply our customers, they'll probably buy other makes of car.
If that happens, our market share (4) ...............................go down, it's not looking good.
ujis:      Well, that's right, but ...
PMjut    And what's more, in my experience, when workers go on strike there (5)...............................a
bad atmosphere for months afterwards. LUIS;      Yes. Paula:    So, (6) ...,.,.........................you can come to an agreement with the workers soon, there
(7)............................a lot of trouble ahead. If you want my advice, (8).........................very careful.
Luis:      Look, don't worry. Paula:   Don't worry?
tuts:      Yes. Look, the workers know that the success of the company depends on this new model. (9)...............................they're stupid, they (10) ...............................go on strike.
PAULA:     Oh?
luk:      Now, just imagine - if it sold really well, we (11) ...............................increase our market share
and our profits. If that happened, we (12) ...............................need to make so many job cuts.
And if we (13) ...............................have to cut jobs, the trade unions (14) ...............................be
much happier.
Paula:   Well, I suppose you've got a point.
Exercise 5BI1
Yo'irare talking to a friend about your new job. Use your thoughts to complete the sentences you say. Put the verb in brackets into either the present simple, past simple, imperative, will 4- infinitive or would + infinitive.
You think: People say that hard work usually results in promotion in this company. You say: (1) They say that if you JíST*.. (work) hard, you ŕj^í1.. (get) promoted. You think: I want to show them that I'm good at my job so that I can have more job security.
You say: (2) I hope that if 1............................(do) my best, they............................(give) me a permanent
contract after a few months.
You think: I've been late in the morning a few times. I wish I could work at the Leiria site which is nearer
my home.
You say: (3) I'm sometimes late for work. If I............................(work) at the Leiria site, it
..................................(not be) such a problem.
You think: One thing worries me. I had a health problem a few years ago, but iň very unlikely that it will reoccur.
You say: (4) I wonder what............................(happen) if my health problem............................(reoccur)'
You think: Maybe it's not a problem. In general they seem to be very reasonable about illness.
You say: (5) Actually, if you............................(miss) one or two days because of iHfiess, they
............................(not seem) to mind.
You think: Goodoye. / hope I'll see you soon.
You say: (6) If you............................(fancy) a drink one evening, just............................(give) me a ring.
7E
0
«Konditionals 2
A If we sold... (possible past)
•   When we want to talk about past events which possibly happened, we use if + past simple in the condition clause, and any tense or modal in the result clause.
If you went to the meeting yesterday, you probably heard the news.
If you missed the TV programme last night, you can borrow the recording I made.
B If we had sold... (imaginary past)
This <s oner, ailed a 'thirď mndtonai   •  When we want to talk about past events that are different to what really happened, we use: if + past perfect,    would + have* past participle
(condition)                            (result)
If Clinton and Gore had won the elation, they would have promoted free trade agrcatunts with other nations in the same way as Bush. (Yahoo Business News website) There is often a suggestion of criticism or regret: If the economic situation had been bener, we wouldn 't have tost so many customers
•   A contracted 'd in speech can be had in the condition or would in the result If I'd done an MBA, I'd have had more opportunities.
•   The examples above are about two actions in the past. If the result clause refers to the present we use would + infinitive.
ffl had done an MBA, I would be on a higher salary now.
C Conditionals without if
•   We use if for something that might happen in the future, or something imaginary. We use when for something that we know will happen.
I'll call you if I get a chance. (I'm not sure if i will phone you) I'll call you when I arrive.      (I will definitely phone you)
We can use either «for wnerj where the meaning Is 'every time'.
If/When anyone rings my mobile, I get a photograph of the person on the screen.
•   in informal speech we sometimes use imagine or supposing in place of if. Imagine/Supposing you had a million dollars, how would you invest it?
•   We can use provided that, providing, on condition that, as long as and so long as for emphasis. The meaning is 'if and only if.
As long 03 there is new technology, consultants will continue to he in demand. (Sunday Times website)
•   We can use in case to talk about doing something to avoid a possible problem later. The result clause usually comes first and often uses going to.
I'm going to give you my mobile number in case you need to contact me. s« unit 17   •   We use unless to mean If not.
13 CONDITIONALS 2    79
D Wish
•   We use / wish to express regret or dissatisfaction.
•   For the present and future, use / wish followed by the past simple or continuous / wish we didn't have so many meetings.
I wish I wasn't working next weekend,
•   for the past, use / wish followed by the past perfect. / wish we had advertised on television.
I wish i hadn't eaten the oysters.
•    If the wish is a good one, use I hope followed by the present simple or will. I hope your presentation goes well.
I hope the merger will be a success.
m   If the wish is about doing something that is difficult or impossible, use I wish I could, i wish I could contact him, but he hasn't got a mobile phone.
.   •  We can replace / wish with If only for emphasis. We stress only in speech If only I hadn't eaten the oysters. If only I could contact him.
E Modal verbs in conditionals
See units 11-14  •  The examples in unit 17 were with will. But other modal verbs like can, could, may, might must tor modal verbs        and snou((y are comrn0n in conditional sentences and have their normal meanings.
If you dtal with the Middle East you musl be available to your customers on Saturdays and
Sundays. (Overseas Tode magazine)
If the euro were weak in the long term, companies might slow dawn their drive to increase
productivity and government might pur the brake on their structural reforms. (Le Monde
diplomatique website)
Compaq CEO Michael Capellas commented on the recent decline of dot.com firms, which were so
popular on the U.S. stock market a few months ago. If you don't have a sound business plan, you
cannot succeed.' (International Herald Tribune website)
•   We often use present forms like will and can with likely futures, and past forms like would Cd) ' ~"-«                 an(j QOuld with imaginary futures.
If you sign now. we'll/can deliver by Friday.           (likely future)
If you signed now, we'd/could deliver by Friday, (imaginary future)
•    But it is also common to find mixed tense sequences because modals keep their normal meanings:
If Hungarian farmers respond to competition by improving productivity and becoming more effitient at marketing, they could have a bigger share of the market. (Business Central Europe website) With a present form (respond) we might expect can. However could is used here with its normal meaning of uncertainty {can does not express uncertainty).
I If I were you, ...
•   We can use If I were in place of If I was in imaginary futures, particularly when we give advice with the phrase If I were you. tf I were you, I'd wait until tomorrow. I'd be more careful, if I were you.
13 CONDITIONALS 2
18  Practice
Exercise 1 11BHI
Underfine the correct words. This exercise includes revision of imaginary futures.
1    If you phoned f had phoned me yesterday, / had told/would have told you.
2   if you took/would have taken more exercise, you might fee!/had felt better,
3   If Tim would have listened/had listened more carefully, he wouldn't have made/didn't wake that mistake.
4   If we'd found/we found suitable premises, we'd have moved/we had moved earlier.
5   If people kept/had kept their offices more tidy, it might present/presented a better image to our visitors.
6   If I'd knownJI would know about their financial problems, I wouldn't do /wouldn't have done business with them.
7   If our side had been/was better prepared, we succeeded/could have succeeded in the negotiations.
8   I wouldn 't/won 't worry if I am I were you.
Exercise 2 Q
Complete the sentences with the words from the list below. Each word is used twice, when   as long as   in case   unless
1   I'll speak to you again.......wkft......fve |ooked at the contract in detaiL
2   Leave your return flight open.......................the negotiations take an extra day.
3   We can start the project next week.......................everyone agrees.
4   We can start the project next week.......................anyone disagrees.
5   The Board will be happy.......................our share price remains high.
6   Keep your receipt.......................you need to return the goods.
7   The new stock will arrive.......................the Christmas sales are finished.
8   We'll probably make a loss this year.......................sales improve in the last quarter.
Exercise 3 ■
Underline the conect words.
1   I wish I hadn't dmnk/didn't drink so many whiskies last night.
2   There's so little space in here. I wish I have/had a bigger office.
3   I don't feel well. I wish I could Say I will stay in bed this morning,
4   I hope you enjoyed/enjoy yourselves at the theatre tonight
5   I've been waiting thirty minutes for the bus. I wish I took/had taken a taxi.
6   I must get in touch with Sue. If only I knowJknew her number!
7   I'm not a good typist. I wish I could type/would type better.
S   I wish Jim didn't interrupt/doesn't interrupt so often in meetings
9   i have to finish this report by tomorrow. If only I would have/had more tirne.
10   Enjoy your holiday. I hope you have/could have a good time.
11   That presentation was a disaster! I wish I could do/would do it all again!
12   I'm disappointed with this camera. I wish I didn't buy/hadn't bought it.
18 CONDITIONALS Z     SI
Exercise 4 S U H
27    Patrick and Jürgen are discussing a negotiation that went wrong. Complete the dialogue with words from the list below.
ii   as long as   in case   unless (x2)    'II   'd (x2)   can   would have   'd have   wouldn't have
PATTSJCK:   Jürgen, (1) ............Í.T...........you've got a moment, (2) ...........................I have i word wirh
you? Jürgen      Sure. (3) ,..........................it doesn't take roa long. I've got a meeting in five minutes. Is it
about that contract that we lost? PATRICK:    Yes. What went wrong? Do you think we (4) ...........................got the deal if we
(5)........................... offered a better price? Maybe we (6) ...........................lost the
business. JÜRGEN;     No, I don't think the problem was the price. PATUJCKľ    No?Weli,was it a problem with die delivery time? If we (7) ...........................given a
shotter delivery rime, (8) ...........................we...........................been more successful?
JUB.GEN;     No, the delivery time was OK.
patrí«    Hituri, this is strange. We really should Find out what went wrong (9) ...........................a
situation like this happens in the future.You know, {10) ...........................we learn from our
mistakes, we (11)........................... lose more orders. Now, Jürgen, tell me what do you
think could really have happened5 JUB.GEN:    Well, nothing, (12) ...........................they didn't like our sales rep.
PATRICK:      Oh?
JUR.CEN:    Do yon know who it was? PATRICK:     Er, it was me.
Exercise 5 fl ■ ^^LHI
A supplier is thinking about a negotiation in the future. Match his thoughts 1-4 with his words a)-d).
1   We're likely to offer a lower price. If we do, success is possible. ■ --.i  We're likely to offer a lower price. If we do, success is certain.
3   Perhaps we II offer a lower price. If we do, success is possible.
4   Perhaps we'll offer a lower price if we do, success is certain.
B D
n
D
a)  tf we offer a lower price, we'll get the contract.
b)  If we offer a lower price, we might get the contract.
c)  If we offered a lower price, we'd get the contract.
d)  If we offered a lower price, we might get the contract.
The same supplier is thinking about a negotiation in the past. Match his thoughts 5-8 with his words e)-h)
5   We offered a lower price. That's why we succeeded,
6   We offered a lower price.
That's probably why we succeeded.
7   We didn't offer a lower pnee. That's why we failed.
8   We didn't offer a lower price. That's probably why we failed.
e)  If we'd offered a lower price, we'd have got the contract
f)   If we'd offered a lower price,
I__I                       we might have got the contract.
g)  If we hadn't offered a lower price, I__I                        we'd have tost the contract.
h) If we hadn't offered a lower price, we might have tost the contract.