Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form

Conditional sentences: type I
Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form.

I'll look for your notebook and if I (find) it I (give) you a ring.

2 If you (smoke) in a non-smoking compartment the other passengers (object).

3 I'll wash the glasses in this nice hot water. ~

No, don't. If you (put) them into very hot water they (crack).

4 If you (see) Tom tell him I have a message for him.

5 If he (win) he (get) 1,000; if he (come) in second he (get) 500.

6 If you (feel) too hot during the night turn down the central heating.

7 Tom: Jack is a translator; he translates 1,000 words a day and gets 100 a week, which he says isn't enough to live on.
Bill: Well, if he (want) more money he (have) to do more work.
Advise him to translate 2,000 words a day.

8 If you (finish) with your dictionary I'd like to borrow it.

9 Jack (in canoe): Watch me! I'm going to stand up!
Tom (on the bank): He's an idiot! If he (stand) up in the canoe it (capsize).

10 The lift wasn't working when I was here last. If it still (not work) we (have) to use

the stairs.

I shan't wake if the alarm clock (not go) off.

12 I shan't wake unless I (hear) the alarm.

13 If you'd like some ice I (get) some from the fridge.

14 He's only sixteen but he wants to leave school at the end of the term. ~
If he (leave) now he (be) sorry afterwards.

15 I expect it will freeze tonight. ~
If it (freeze) tonight the roads (be) very slippery tomorrow.

16 That book is overdue. If you (not take) it back to the library tomorrow you (have) to pay a fine.

17 Unless Tom (take) his library book back tomorrow he (have) to pay a fine.

18 You'd better take the day off if you (not feel) well tomorrow.

19 If a driver (brake) suddenly on a wet road he (skid).

20 If you (like) I (get) you a job in this company.

21 If you (like) a job in this company, I'll get you one.

22 My dog never starts a fight. He never growls unless the other dog (growl) first.

23 You can use my phone if yours (not work).

24 If you (not know) the meaning of a word you may use a dictionary.

25 If Jack (refuse) to help we'll have to manage without him.

26 If Jack (not help) we'll have to manage without him.

27 (Tom is putting his coat on.) Ann: If you (go) out would you buy me some cigarettes?

28 Henry can't count. ~
Why you (employ) him as a cashier if he can't count?

29 The police will test the knife for fingerprints. If your fingerprints are on it you (be) charged with murder.

30 Tom: I hate my job
Peter: If you (hate) it why you (not change) it?

31 You can ask for a continental breakfast if you (not want) a full breakfast.

32 If you (hear) from Tom could you please let me know?

33 Caller: Could I speak to Mr Jones, please?
Secretary: If you'd wait a moment I (see) if he's in.

34 I'm not expecting any messages, but if someone (ring) while I am out could you say that I'll be back by 6.00?

35 (Notice in a box of chocolates): Every care has been taken with preparation and packing, but if these chocolates (reach) you in a damaged condition please return them to us and we will send you another box.

36 If you (care) to see some of his drawings I (send) them round to your office.

Conditional sentences: type I

Part I Drill: reply to the following sentences as shown in the example:

If Tom meets us at the station we'll be all right.
But what'll we do if he doesn 't meet us?

If he pays me tonight, I'll have enough money for the tickets.

2 If I get a work permit, I'll stay for another six months.

3 If I pass this exam, I'll go to the university next October.

4 If he agrees to let me go on working after marriage, I'll marry him (Use refuse.)

5 I'm going to say to the boss, I can't work with Smith. Either I go or he goes. You'll

have to choose between us

6 If I can find a cheap room I'll stay a fortnight.

7 Your parachute should open after ten seconds.

8 Provided you remember the password you'll be in no danger. (Use forget.) 

9 Tell the police the truth. I'm sure they'll believe you.
10 If the baby is a girl we're going to call her Ann.

If we get a lift we'll be in time.

If London airport is clear of fog we'll land there.

If Tom helps us the job will only take half an hour.

I haven't got a key but Jack will let us in if he is at home.

If the ice is thick enough we'll be able to walk across the river.

The sands are quite safe as long as you don't walk on them when the tide is coming in.

If it's fine tomorrow we'll go for a walk.

Driver (having just changed a wheel): We'll be all right provided we don't have another puncture.

Part 2 Rewrite the following sentences replacing would like by like and making any

necessary changes.
If you'd like to wait you can wait here.
If you like you can wait here or
You can wait here if you like.

If you'd like a copy of the book, I can get you one. (If you like, I.

If you'd like me to ask if there are any vacancies I will. (If you like, I'll

If you'd like to see the photographs, I'll bring them round tonight.

If you'd like me to give you a hand, I will.

If you'd like to watch the procession from my balcony, you can.

If you'd like to see London from the air, I'll arrange a helicopter trip for you.

You knitted a very nice sweater for Tom. ~
Yes, if you'd like me to knit you one I will.

If you'd like to borrow my car, you can.

I'll come back and finish it tomorrow if you'd like me to.

If you'd like Ann to type it again, I'll ask her to.

If you'd like an application form, I'll get you one.

If you'd like me to go with you, I will.

I'll paint the front door blue, if you'd like that.

If you'd like to leave the washing-up till tomorrow, you can.

If you'd like to postpone the trip till next week, we'll do that.

If you'd like me to ask him to our next party, I will.

If you'd like to meet the President, I will arrange it.

If you'd like to go sailing tomorrow, we will.

Conditional sentences: type 2

Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form.

1 Of course I'm not going to give her a diamond ring. If I (give) her a diamond ring she

(sell) it.

2 Tom: I woke up to find the room full of smoke; but I knew exactly what to do.

Ann: If I (wake) up to find the room full of smoke I (have) no idea what to do.

3 Ann: I couldn't live without Tom. If he (go) off with another girl I (pine) away and die.

But I have complete confidence in Tom.

4 Husband: But I'm not going on a diet. Why should I go on a diet?
Wife: If you (go) on a diet you (lose) weight

5 If someone (say), I'll give you 500 to go into court and swear that this statement is true what you (do

6 If we (work) all night we (finish) in time; but we have no intention of working all night.

7 You must never blow out a gas light. Do you know what (happen) if you (blow) out

a gas light?

8 If I (see) a tiger walking across Hyde Park I (climb) a tree. ~ That (not be) any use. The tiger (climb) after you.

9 If I (come) across two men fighting with knives I (call) the police. ~
But this is a very peaceful area.

10 Ann: All your clothes are years out of date. Why don't you throw them away?

Mary: Don't be ridiculous! If I (throw) my clothes away I (have) to ask my husband for

1,000 to buy new ones.

Ann: If you (ask) him for 1,000 what he (say)?

12 Mary: He (be) too horrified to speak at first. But when he'd recovered from the shock,

he probably (start) talking about a divorce.

13 If someone (ring) my doorbell at 3 a.m. I (be) very unwilling to open the door.

14 If I (see) a python in Piccadilly I (assume) it had escaped from a circus.

15 Tom: The plane was on fire so we baled out.
Ann: I don't think I (have) the nerve to do that even if the plane (be) on fire.

16 We train the children to file out of the classroom quietly, because if a whole class (rush) at the door someone (get) hurt.

17 Why don't you buy a season ticket?-
Because I lose everything. If I (buy) a season ticket I (lose) it.

18 Why don't you bring your car to work? If I (have) a car I (bring) it to work.

19 Jack: They get 150 a week.

Tom: They can't get 150 a week. If they (do) they (not be) striking for 120.

20 Ann: George is fourteen.

Tom: He must be older than that. He's in a full-time job. If he (be) only fourteen he still

(be) at school.

21 He is staying at the Savoy in London. ~
Is he very rich? ~
I suppose he is. If he (be) a poor man he (not stay) at the Savoy.

22 If I (have) heaps of money I (drink) champagne with every meal.

23 If you (drink) champagne with every meal you soon (get) tired of it.

24 Prime Minister on golf course: I'm not at all worried about the situation. If I (be) worried I not (play) golf at this moment.

25 But I don't want to buy an elephant! ~
I know that. But where you (go) if you (do) want to buy one?

26 Why don't you get a cat? If you (keep) a cat the mice (not run) about everywhere.

27 What time of year do you think it is in this picture? Summer? ~
No, it must be winter. If it (be) summer the people (not sit) round that big fire.

28 Tom: Oh yes, I heard the phone ringing.
Peter: Well, if you (hear) the phone ringing why you (not answer) it?
(Be careful; this is not a true conditional sentence.)

29 Your notes are almost illegible. Why don't you type them? If you (type) them they (be) a lot easier to read.

30 If only we (have) a light! It's depressing waiting in darkness!

31 A university degree is a useful thing. If I (have) a university degree I now (sit) in a comfortable office instead of standing at a street corner selling newspapers.

32 I (be) very grateful if you kindly (sign) this document and let me have it back as soon as possible.

33 If the earth suddenly (stop) spinning we all (fly) off it.

34 Why are you so late? ~

We got stuck in a snowdrift! Luckily a lorry-driver saw us and towed us out. But for him we still (be) there!

35 We didn't exactly break down. We had a puncture. ~
But if it (be) only a puncture why you (not change) the wheel and come on?

(See 28 above.)

36 I have no particular desire to win the Football Pools. If I (win) an enormous sum everybody (write) to me asking for money.

Conditional sentences: type 2

Rewrite these sentences, using an if construction.
He smokes too much; perhaps that's why he can't get rid of his cough.

If he didn 't smoke so much he might get rid of his cough or
If he smoked less he might (be able to) get rid of his cough.

She is very shy; that's why she doesn't enjoy parties.

2 He doesn't take any exercise; that's why he is so unhealthy.

3 I haven't the right change so we can't get tickets from the machine.

4 They speak French to her, not English, so her English doesn't improve.

5 He doesn't work overtime, so he doesn't earn as much as I do.

6 My number isn't in the directory so people don't ring me up.

7 The police are not armed so we don't have gun battles in the streets.

8 The shops don't deliver now, which makes life difficult.

9 He's very thin; perhaps that's why he feels the cold so much.

10 We haven't any matches so we can't light a fire.

It's a pity we haven't a steak to cook over our camp fire.

12 I'm fat; that's why I can't get through the bathroom window.

13 He doesn't help me, possibly because I never ask him for help.

14 I can't drive so we can't take the car.

15 We have no ladder so we can't get over the wall.

16 My friend advised me to sell it. (My friend said If 1. you 1.

17 I haven't much time so I read very little.

18 They don't clean the windows so the rooms look rather dark.

19 He never polishes his shoes, so he never looks smart.

20 He doesn't pay his staff properly; perhaps that's why they don't work well.

21 We haven't got central heating, so the house is rather cold.

22 I have no dog, so I don't like being alone in the house at night.

23 He spends hours watching television; that's why he never has time to do odd jobs in the house.

24 I haven't got a vacuum cleaner; that's why I'm so slow.

25 I don't know his address, so I can't write to him.

26 He never shaves; that's the only reason he looks unattractive.

27 You work too fast; that's why you make so many mistakes.

28 I can't park near my office; that's why I don't come by car.

29 I live a long way from the centre; that's why I am always late for work.

30 I haven't a map so I can't direct you.

31 People drive very fast. That's why there are so many accidents.

32 English people speak very quickly. Perhaps that's why I can't understand them.

33 My house is guarded by two Alsatian dogs. That's the only reason it isn't broken into every night.

34 The flats are not clearly numbered, so it is very difficult to find anyone.

35 You don't wipe your feet, so you make muddy marks all over the floor.

36 I live near my office, so I don't spend much time travelling to work.

Conditional sentences: type 3

Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tenses.
1 If he (not take) his gloves off he (not get) frost bitten.

2 She was sent to prison only because she refused to pay the fine; if she (pay) the fine she (not be) sent to prison.

3 He didn't tell me that he was a vegetarian till halfway through the meal. If he (tell) me earlier I (cook) him something more suitable.

4 I had no map; that's why I got lost. If I (had) a map I (be) all right.

5 Why didn't you say that you were short of money? If I (know) I (lend) you some.

6 It's lucky he had his torch with him. If he (not have) it he (fall) down the cellar steps.

7 The job is much worse than I expected. If I (realise) how awful it was going to be I (not accept) it.

8 It was the drug, not the disease, that killed him. He would still be alive today if He (not take) that drug.

9 This room's freezing because the fire has only just been lit. ~
If it (be lit) this morning, as I suggested, the room would be warm enough to sit in now.

10 I overslept; that's why I'm half an hour late; and if my phone (not ring) at nine o'clock I might still be in bed.

It was rather a dull game so I left before the end; if I (wait) another five minutes I (see) Chelsea scoring a really exciting goal.

12 The paraffin heater was perfectly safe. There (not be) a fire if the children (not knock) it over.

13 It's a pity he never patented his invention. If he (patent) it he (make) a lot of money.

14 The fog came down suddenly and I suppose they didn't know which way to turn; if only they (have) a map and compass with them they (not be) drowned.

15 He asked his parents for a loan but he didn't say what he wanted the money for, so they refused. I think if he (tell) them that he wanted to open a restaurant they (agree).

16 The accident was mainly Tom's fault. He was driving much too close to the car in front. If he (be) further away he (be able) to stop in time.

17 The launching of the rocket was delayed half an hour by bad weather. If the weather (be) good they (launch) it at 8.30 instead of at 9.00.

18 Why did you throw away those newspapers? I hadn't finished with them. ~

I'm sorry. If I (know) you were still reading them I (not throw) them away.

19 I'm sorry you didn't tell me that dogs were allowed in the hotel; if I (know) I (bring) my dog. He (enjoy) the walk.

20 Most people (attend) the union meeting if they had had longer notice of it.

21 He says he refused the job, but that this was nothing to do with the salary. He (refuse) even if they (offer) him twice as much.

22 The club secretary is useless. He never tells anybody anything. We (not know) about this meeting if the chairman (not tell) us.

23 When the director asked her to play the lead she agreed though she didn't know anything about the play. I think that if she (read) the play first she (refuse) the part.

24 The burglar made quite a lot of noise getting into the house; but fortunately for him the family were watching a noisy TV play. If they (play) cards they certainly (hear) him.

25 If you had been there what you (do)?

26 It rained, which spoiled our picnic; but if it (not rain) it (be) a great success.

27 Why are you in such a bad temper? ~
Because I've been waiting for 40 minutes in an icy wind. If you (wait) 40 minutes in an icy wind you'd be bad-tempered, too.

28 You used wet sticks; that's why the fire took so long to light. If you (use) dry sticks it (light) long ago.

29 I didn't recognize him at first because he was wearing dark glasses; if he (not wear) them I (recognize) him immediately.

30 You knew that horse was going to win! ~
Don't be ridiculous! If I (knew) I (back) him myself.

31 Why didn't you phone from the village?-
Because there was no phone in the village. If there (be) of course we (phone) from there.

32 When the weather got bad the climbing party turned back, all except Tom and his brothers, who decided to go on. If only they (turn) back with the others they would be alive today.

33 He was not very happy at school because' he was a bookish boy, not at all interested in games. If he (play) games like the other boys he (have) a much better time.

34 We had to stand almost all the way. It was all Tom's fault. If he (book) seats, as I told him to, we (have) quite a comfortable journey.

35 We were travelling with false passports. That was the trouble. If our passports (be) all right we (not be) arrested.

36 They voted by a show of hands and decided in favour of a strike.
But it was by a narrow margin and I think that if they (hold) a secret ballot there (not be) a strike.

Conditional sentences: type 3

Rewrite these sentences using an if construction.
You didn't tell me we had run out of bread, so I didn't buy any.
If you had told me we had run out of bread I'd have bought some.

I didn't see the signal, so I didn't stop.

2 I didn't know your number, so I didn't ring.

3 She didn't know you were in hospital, so she didn't visit you.

4 We only came by bus because there were no taxis.

5 She didn't speak to him, possibly because she was so shy.

6 Landlord: She threatened to set fire to her flat; that's the only reason I asked her to leave.

7 We didn't visit the museum because we hadn't time.

8 I only came up the stairs because the lift wasn't working.

9 We didn't listen carefully; perhaps that's why we made this mistake.

10 We got a lift, so we reached the station in time.

You washed it in boiling water; that's why it shrank.

12 We missed the train because we were using an out-of-date timetable.

13 His own men deserted him; that's the only reason why he failed.

14 They were driving very quickly. That's why the accident was so terrible.

15 It was raining. That's the only reason I didn't take the children to the beach.

16 When I bought this house I didn't realize that in summer planes skimmed the roof every five minutes. {If I (knew) Knot buy) etc.)

17 Tom's father was on the Board. That's the only reason he got the job.

18 He wasn't looking where he was going. That's why he was run over.

19 I don't like country life, perhaps because I wasn't brought up in the country.

20 I didn't know he was so quarrelsome. I'm sorry now that I invited him.

21 It rained all the time. Perhaps that's why he didn't enjoy his visit.

22 I didn't work hard at school so I didn't get a good job when I left.

23 They used closed-circuit television. That's how they spotted the shop-lifter.

24 They asked him to leave the dining-room because he wasn't wearing a shirt.

25 It took us a long time to find his house because the streets were not clearly marked.

26 We didn't go by air only because we hadn't enough money.

27 The bus didn't stop because you didn't put your hand up.

28 He turned up at the interview looking so disreputable and unshaven that they didn't give him the job.

29 I didn't know how thin the ice was, so I was walking on it quite confidently.

30 The champion didn't take the fight seriously at first; perhaps that's why he didn't win it.

31 They got the children back alive only because they paid the ransom at once.

32 The examiner read the passage very quickly, so the candidates didn't understand it.

33 They weren't wearing life-jackets; perhaps that's why they were drowned.

34 He didn't get to the top of his profession, perhaps because his wife didn't encourage him.

35 The exit doors were blocked so people couldn't escape from the burning hall.

36 The astronauts didn't walk very far on the moon because they were hampered by the thick dust.

145 Conditional sentences: mixed types
PEG 221-8

Put the verbs in brackets into the correct forms.

I've hung out the clothes. It's lovely and sunny; if it (stay) like this they (be) dry in two hours.

2 French is essential in this job. All the telephonists speak it. If they (not know) French they (not understand) half the callers.

3 How did you do in the car rally? ~

We came in last actually; but only because we got lost. If we (not got) lost we (come) in

somewhere in the middle. We certainly (not be) last.

4 I wasn't really surprised that we got lost because I knew that the navigator couldn't map-read. ~
But if you (know) that why you (take) him as navigator?

5 This flat would be all right if the people above us (not be) so noisy.

6 A group of spectators, including myself, left the stand just before the end of the game. When we were half way down the stairs a goal was scored and there was a great cheer from the spectators. If there (not be) a goal the crowd (not cheer).

7 If the crowd (not cheer) we (not run) back up the stairs to see what had happened.

8 If we (not run) back we (not crash) into the rest of the spectators on their way down, and there (not be) this frightful accident.

9 If the pain (return) you'd better take another pill.

10 If you aren't going to live in the house why you (not sell) it? If I (have) a house I couldn't use I (sell) it at once.

No, I didn't know any Russian at that time. ~
But if you (not know) Russian why you (offer) to give him Russian lessons? ~
Because I knew that he (refuse). He always rejected my offers.

12 Tell him to bring his bicycle inside. If he (leave) it outside someone (steal) it.

13 Why do people always wear dark clothes at night? If pedestrians (wear) light coloured clothes drivers (see) them much more easily.

14 She must have loved him very much because she waited for him for fifteen years.

If she (not love) him she (not wait) so long.

15 He looked so small and weak that nobody asked him to do anything.
If he (look) strong he (be) expected to dig all day like everyone else.

16 The government are talking of pulling the village down to make room for an airport. ~
If they (start) doing it the village people (resist)?

17 If you are catching an early train tomorrow you (like) to have breakfast at 7.00?

18 We'll have to break the ice on the pond; otherwise the ducks (not be able) to swim. And if they (not be able) to swim they (not be able) to get food.

(Use can/could forms where possible.)

19 When he left school he became a fisherman. His family didn't like it at all. They (be) much happier if he (become) a greengrocer like his father.

20 They still say that if he (go) into the greengrocery business when he left school he (be) comfortably off now instead of being poor.

21 But he says that if he (have) his life again he (make) the same choice.

22 So many parcels and no baskets! If I (know) that we were going to buy so much I (bring) a basket.

23 No one bathes here. The water is heavily polluted. If you (bathe) in it you (be) ill for a fortnight.

24 I can hear the speaker all right but I wish I could see him too. ~
If he (stand) on a barrel we all (see) him and that (be) much better.

25 Look at poor Tom trying to start his car by hand again! If I (be) Tom I (get) a new battery.

26 I expect you'll see Jack at the lecture tonight. If you (do) you please (remind) him about tomorrow's meeting?

27 The headmaster decided that Peter was the culprit and expelled him from the school. A more intelligent man (realize) that Peter couldn't have been guilty. (If the headmaster had been more intelligent he .

28 But I blame the real culprit even more. If he (admit) his guilt Peter (not be) expelled.

29 The only thing I haven't got is a balcony. If I (have) a balcony I (grow) plants in pots. Then my flat (be) perfect!

30 Jack rang while you were out. ~
Oh dear! If I (know) he was going to ring I (stay) at home.

31 My unmarried friends are always telling me how to bring up my children. I sometimes think that if they (have) children they (make) just as many mistakes as I do.

32 (At a cinema) Ann: Don't worry They get married in the end.
Mary: Then you've seen it before If you (tell) me that we (go) to something else!

33 Be careful about the time. If you (spend) too long on the first question you (not have) enough time to do the others properly.

34 We had a lot of trouble putting the tent up. If it (not be) so windy perhaps it (not be) quite so difficult.

35 Ann (sitting beside her open fire): I love open fires; if I (have) nothing but a radiator to sit beside I (get) quite depressed.

36 Lucy, a student at a residential college: Couldn't I leave the hostel and get a flat, mother?

Mother: No, you couldn't. I know very well what (happen) if you (have) a flat. You

(play) the guitar all night and (miss) your classes in the morning; then you (fail) your

exams and (have) to repeat the year. And you (not feed) yourself properly and (get)

run down. And then you (catch) some infection and (die) of it, and we (have) to leave

this district as the neighbours (keep) saying that we had caused you death by letting

you have your own way!

Conditional sentences: mixed types
Finish the following sentences. 

If you had a carpet on the stairs

2 If you should see a snake

3 If I lived in the country

4 If you want to get to the station in time to catch the 8.10 train

5 He was sleepwalking. When I saw him going towards the window I stopped him. If I hadn't stopped him

6 She is simply terrified of rats. If she hears the rats running round your attics she

7 The milk wouldn't have turned sour if

8 They were completely lost and didn't know which way to turn; but for the dog

9 If you took a course in computer programming

10 Jack (trying to phone Peter): I can hear the phone ringing. Peter must be out. If he were in he

11 If we have another puncture .

12 I could have walked more quickly if my suitcase

13 My room would be all right if it

14 If you aren't going to use the car tomorrow,

15 If you don't like films why

16 There were plenty of fish in the bay; if we'd had fishing lines

17 The hijackers threatened to kill the pilot unless he

18 We'll test your voice and if it is good enough

19 If buses and trains were free

20 If children were allowed to do exactly as they liked in school

21 I'd have taken a photograph if

22 Your job sounds awful. If I were you

23 If you thought he was unreliable why

24 If I'd known that there was going to be an electricity strike I

25 If the price of petrol goes up

26 You can camp in this field provided

27 Unless you isolate people with infectious diseases

28 Everyone was going much too fast. The pile-up wouldn't have be nearly so terrible if the drivers

29 They would have paid you more if

30 If you don't boil the water before you drink it

31 He expected absolute punctuality. He was furious if

32 If you lived on the 40th floor and there was a power strike

33 We could have got seats

34 Mother to little boy: If you don't eat up your nice rice pudding

35 Tom (looking at his watch): We'll have to go without Peter if

36 If you breathe a word of this to anybody