B2, EOI CARTAGENAIsabel Bastida & Ana Mena

1.ZERO AND FIRST CONDITIONAL.2.SECOND CONDITIONAL.3.THIRD CONDITIONAL.4.MIXED CONDITIONAL.

ZERO CONDITIONAL (truths)If you freeze water, it turns into ice.

FIRST CONDITIONAL (likely)• I’ll apply for the dole, if I

lose my job.

If (present), (present) If (present), future (will, be going to)If (present), imperative

SHOULD (= happen to)If you should run into Peter, tell him we need his

report.If you should be late, we’ll have to start without you.Should you change your mind, contact us. (Formal)

ELIPTICALIf in doubt, ask for help.If about to go on a long journey, try to have a good

nigth’s sleep.

SECOND CONDITIONAL(unlikely)If my boss weren’t a control freak, I would be more efficient at work.

SECOND CONDITIONAL (unlikely)

If the situation got worse, I might hand in my notice and find another job. (would perhaps)

If (past simple), (would, might, could)

IF IT WEREN’T FOR …If it weren’t for his wife’s money, he’d never

be a manager. If it weren’t for the on-the-job training, I would quit.

INVERSIONWere she my employee, I would dismiss her. (Formal)

THIRD CONDITIONAL(unreal past)If I hadn’t had that deadline, I could have finished my report on time. (would have been able)

MORE EXAMPLESIf he had got along with his colleagues, he mightn’t have been given the sack.(would perhaps have been)

If (past perfect), (would have p.p., might have p.p., could

have p.p.)

IF IT HADN’T BEEN FOR …If it hadn’t been for your help, I wouldn’t have

got thehang of it so quickly.If it hadn’t been for the reshuffle of the

company, it might have gone bankrupt.

INVERSIONHad the CEO’s not changed their strategies,

there would have been more job insecurity in the firm.(Formal)

ALTERNATIVES TO “IF”• Unless= if...not. Often used in warnings.• We’ll be late for our English lesson unless we hurry.

• As long as (or so long as)= if, on condition that. •We’ll be on time for our lesson as long as you hurry up.

• Provided (that)/providing (that)= if, on condition that.• Providing (that) you lay the table, I’ll cook.• He will pass his exam, provided (that) he studies a lot.

• In case (precaution)• Take an umbrella in case it rains.

Choose the correct option:A. “If I had a well-paid job yesterday / now, I wouldn’t have

asked for a bank loan to pay my daughter’s university fees yesterday / now”

B. “If Peter hadn’t handed in his notice last week / at present, he would be the new manager last week / at present”

1. A past event which would/ might/ could/ should have a direct

result on a present situation.2. A present situation which would/ might/ could/ should havechanged a past situation.

1. A. If we had known he was afraid of heights, we wouldn’t have given him the job.

B. Had we known he was afraid of heights, we would not have given him

the job.

2. A. If you’d had a big breakfast, you wouldn’t have been so hungry.

B. If you’d had a big breakfast, you wouldn’t be so hungry.

3. A. I’ll take my umbrella in case it rains. B. I’ll take my umbrella if it rains.

4. A. If you see Harry, please don’t tell him I’m getting married. B. Should you see Harry, please do not tell him I’m getting

married.

5. A. If I’d known you were into town, I’d have asked you to get something for dinner.

B. Had I known you were into town, I’d have asked you to get something

for dinner.

6. A. If you follow me, I’ll show you were the files are kept. B. If you will follow me, I’ll show you were the files are

kept.

COMPLETE THE GAPS WITH THE CORRECT FORM OF THE VERB IN BRACKETS1.Sheila ……. (be able to) go out tonight if she …….. (finish) her report yesterday night.2. You ……. (attend) the meeting right now if your alarm clock ……. (ring) WRITE MIXED CONDITIONAL SENTENCES BEGINNING WITH IF1.The firm did not take the advice of his experts. Their benefits are plummeting in Asia today.

2. Our staff are unqualified today. The training policy failed.

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Nick is exhausted because he packed a lot of things.

Nick ..................... ........... exhausted if he ..................... ................... so many things.

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He has got the equipment and so he went climbing.

He ...................... ............ climbing if he .................... .................... the equipment.

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He is washing his car because it was very dirty.

If his car ............... so dirty, he .......... .............................. it..

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Mary sold her house because she needs money.

If Mary .................. .................. money, she ......................... ........................ her house.