Conditionals

I.                     Match the definitions below with their examples and state which conditional
they refer to.

a)       Imaginary situations which are contrary to facts, therefore unlikely to happen in the
present or future;

b)       Real or very probable situations in the present or future;

c)       Something which is always true;

d)       Hypothetical situations, representing what is contrary to past facts; past unreality;


1.       If the temperature (drop)________ below zero, water (turn)________ into ice.

2.       If I (have)_________ time, I (take)___________ up a sport, but I’m so busy these days!

3.       If the shop (pack)________ the goods properly, they (not get)___________ damaged.

4.       If you (buy)_________ two Microsoft products by the end of this month, they (give)________
you 20% reduction.


II.                    Complete the sentences below with WHEN/IF/IN CASE or UNLESS

1.       ______ you are interested in our range of woolen products, the undersigned will be pleased
to execute your order promptly, to your specifications.

2.       ______employees get promoted, their salary won’t go up.

3.       ______a company observes that its products are more expensive for most domestic customers,
it is forced to look for overseas for sales. It’s a common procedure.

4.       The person who is going to make the speech should take extra handouts _______ the audience
is larger than expected.

5.       I will discuss the issue of perks with Sue ______ she has her usual coffee break.


III.                  Rewrite the sentences, as in the example.

1.       He doesn’t know her. That’s why he didn’t speak to her.

If he knew her, he would have spoken to her.

2.       He gave away confidential information to competition. He’s unemployed now.


3.       The laundry service was not put out to competitive tender. It costs us a lot of money now.


4.       Her mobile phone has no reception in remote rural areas. That’s why she couldn’t be
contacted yesterday.


5.       Tom didn’t see his boss earlier. He’s waiting for him now.


6.       The goods are perishable. We couldn’t send them by rail.


7.       He doesn’t own the business, because he didn’t want to mortgage his house.


8.       She obviously didn’t check her bank statement when it arrived yesterday, because she’s not
aware of the overdraft.


IV.                 Put a tick next to expression(s) that suit the context of each sentence.

1.       The Chief Executive Officer is considering departing ________ he receives a giant pay-off.

a.       under condition that

b.       provided that

c.        on condition that

d.       so long as

2.       But ______ the new products do not become a commercial success, what will we do then?

a.       suppose

b.       supposing

c.        providing

d.       unless

3.       _______ you are able to decide on which costs could feasibly be cut, the management will
reconsider the cost accounting system.

a.       as far as

b.       so long as

c.        in case

d.       as long as

4.       The agreement will be signed tomorrow ______ there are no other suggestions.

a.       unless

b.       provided that

c.        supposed

d.       if

V.                   Rewrite the sentences below, using WILL, WERE TO, SHOULD or WOULD instead of
the underlined phrases

1.       If by some remote chance technical problems arise, we will send our experts to put things
right.

2.       If he gave notice, though I doubt that he would, I wouldn’t protest.

3.       If you just take the trouble to sign it here and we will arrange the rest.

4.       Please contact our Sales Department if by any chance you need to cancel your registration.

5.       We will be glad if you are willing to reply by return and give us details of your charge.

6.       I would be grateful if you were agreeable to provide us with an advanced computer system.

7.       If by any chance your car needs any attention during the first 12 months, take it to an
authorized dealer.

8.       If by some unlucky chance the Parliament passed the law, there would be fewer foreign
investors here.

9.       We would appreciate if you were willing to re-launch our new website.

10.    If the talks broke down (though there is scarce possibility of that), there could be a
serious international crisis.


VI.                 Use an inversion of subject and verb in the conditional clauses of the
sentences in VI. and below

1.       If the market conditions had been better, our company would have expanded.

Had the market conditions been better, our company would have expanded.


2.       If it hadn’t been for the Government intervention, there would have been no other chance
to stimulate consumer spending.


3.       If he wasn’t our key account, I’d tell the police about the crime that has been committed.


4.       If it were not for their foresight, we wouldn’t consider the purchase.


5.       If I were you, I’d look for another job.


6.       If I had known you were ill, I would have visited you.