CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

8.
Many things that look
attractive and valuable
actually have no value at all


Ex: The man learned that not
all that glitters is gold when
he invested much money in
the stock market and lost
much of it.


All that glitters is not gold


CONDITIONAL SENTENCES


There are two parts to a conditional
sentence: the condition (if) and the
result. There are also two types of
conditional sentences: real and unreal
(contrary-to-fact).


REAL CONDITION

RESULT

If you come before the meeting, we’ll have time to talk.

 Possible condition ( Present/future )
If + S + V (simple present), S + will/shall/can/may/might + V (infi.)


UNREAL CONDITION

RESULT

If my windows were larger, I would get more light.
 Impossible condition ( Present/future )
If + S + V( Past simple ), S + would/should/could/might + V (infi.)
(Were for all persons)


UNREAL CONDITION

RESULT

If I had met you yesterday, I would have invited you to the cafe.

 Impossible condition ( Past )
If + S + V( Past perfect ), S + would/should/could/might + have + V (P.P)


STRATEGIES FOR CONDITIONAL
SENTENCE ITEMS
ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS:
 Is it a real condition? If so, is the verb in
the if clause in the simple present or present

progressive form? Is the verb in the result in
the present, future, or imperative form?
INCORRECT [If Gianni will be there, we’ll
give him the message.
CORRECT If Gianni is there, we’ll give him
the message.


 Is it an unreal condition in the present using the
verb be? If so, is was or were the form of be that is
used?
INCORRECT [If she is the boss, she would hire him.]
CORRECT If she was/were the boss, she would hire him.

 Is it an unreal condition in the present or future
tense? If so, is the verb in the condition in the
present subjunctive form? Does the verb in the
result contain would or could + the simple (base)
form?
INCORRECT [If humans have two heads, they
couldn’t make decisions easily.]
CORRECT if humans had two heads, they couldn’t
make decisions easily.


1. If the student ...... for
tomorrow’s exam, she’ll be
more confident.
(A) prepares
(B) prepared

(C) prepare
(D) would prepare


Confident (adj.) feeling sure about
your own ability to do things and
be successful
Confident of sth | Confident
that … feeling certain that sth will
happen in the way that you want
or expect: I’m confident that you
will get the job.


2. If Mr. Kennedy ...... the
information, he would put it
in the report.
(A) has
(B) would have
(C) will have
(D) had


3. If you ...... how to use the
word processor, ask any one
of us.
(A) won’t understand
(B) don’t understand
(C) understood
(D) not understand

Word processor (n) a
computer that runs a word
processing program and is
usually used for writing
letters, reports, etc.


4. If you aren’t able to finish
the letter now, ...... it later.
(A) you could have done
(B) you have done
(C) you can do
(D) you will can do


5. If I ...... you, I would take
the job and then ask for more
money.
(A) had been
(B) am
(C) were
(D) will be


6. If you ...... to cancel your
reservation, please do so
forty-eight hours before that
date.

(A) needed
(B) will need
(C) need
(D) had needed


Reservation (n) an
arrangement for a seat on a
plane or train, a room in a
hotel, etc. to be kept for you:
I’ll call the restaurant and
make a reservation. We have a
reservation in the name of
Grant.


7. Their marriage wouldn’t be
so good if they ...... so well
with each other.
(A) communicated
(B) didn’t communicate
(C) don’t communicate
(D) communicate


To communicate (with sb) to
exchange information, news,
ideas, etc. with sb: We only
communicate by email. They
communicated in sign

language.


8. If we don’t entertain our
out-of-town buyers, they ......
such big orders.
(A) will place
(B) might not place
(C) would place
(D) wouldn’t place


To entertain (sb) (with sth) to
interest and amuse sb in order
to please them: He entertained
us for hours with his stories
and jokes.


9. Come to our next picnic if
you ...... the chance.
(A) have
(B) will have
(C) had
(D) don’t have


10. If I didn’t think the gym
was helping me feel better, I
...... my membership.

(A) would be renewing
(B) wouldn’t be renewing
(C) will be renewing
(D) can’t renew