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Unit 11b Conditionals and Inversion

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25 views

Unit 11b Conditionals and Inversion

Uploaded by

yesica
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Life

Advanced Unit 11b


Conditionals and inversion

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How honest are you? part 3


Q 3 If you were to find a wallet on the street, would you hand it in to the police?
A Yes, I would, unless it had a lot of money in it!
B Yes, provided there was something that showed who the owner was, like a bank card or a driving licence.
C No, I’d keep it, so long as no one saw me pick it up.
Q 4 Were an advertising agency to offer you a part in an ad for a product you didn’t
actually like, would you accept the job?
A Yes, so long as I thought the product was harmless.
B No, I would never sell a product unless I really believed in it.
C Yes, provided the money was good enough!

1 2 3 4 5

Presentation

unless It is also possible to drop if and invert the order of


Unless 5 if … not or except if … the subject and were:
I would never sell a product unless I really believed in it. If I were to see him … → Were I to see him …
(5 If I didn’t believe in it, I wouldn’t sell it.) If you won … → Were you to win …
I won’t go unless you go too. (5 I’ll only go if you go.) Were I to is far less frequent than if I were to.
You cannot use were … to … to talk about imaginary
so/as long as, provided/providing present situations:
These expressions mean only if or on condition that: If I knew how to swim (but I don’t) … (not Were I to
I would keep it, as long as no one saw me. know how to swim …)
Provided/Providing are more formal than as/so long as: However, you can use inversion with the verb to be 1
I would accept the job provided the money was good adjective to talk about imaginary present situations:
enough. (5 only if the money was good enough) Were I rich, I’d live a life of luxury.
In if clauses which talk about imaginary past situations, you
If I were to …, were I to …, had I …
can drop if and reverse the order of had and the subject:
In if clauses which talk about imaginary future
If I’d known … → Had I known …
situations, you can replace the past simple with
were + to + infinitive to emphasize the improbability TIP  he inverted forms are more formal and distant
T
of the situation: than standard if clauses.
If I saw him … → If I were to see him …

1 © National Geographic Learning


Advanced Unit 11b
Exercises

Exercises
1  Write unless or as long as in the gaps. Then listen and check.
1 A: Would you steal from a member of your own family?
B: No, not I really, really had to.
2 A: Can I borrow your bike?
B: Yes, you bring it back before five.
3 A: You know who the winner is, don’t you? Go on, you can tell me.
B: OK, but only you don’t tell anyone else. It’s supposed to be a secret.
4 A: Would you like to sit by the window?
B: Yes, please. you want to sit there, of course.
5 A: Are you going out this afternoon?
B: No, I don’t think so, Paul calls me to play football.
6 A: Would you jump from a flying aeroplane?
B: Yes, I had a parachute!
2 Rewrite the sentences using the word or words in bold.
1 I’ll get the bus if Glen can’t take me in the car.
unless
2 Give me ₤5.00 and I’ll clean your car for you.
provided
3 We could go out to eat, or if you prefer, we could stay at home and order a takeaway.
unless
4 You can come in, but you have to leave before my parents get back.
as long as
5 I really didn’t want to do it if Simon wasn’t going to help me.
unless
3 Rewrite the if clause using were to or had.
1 If I’d known you were coming, I’d have made more food.
Had I known …
2 If he found out about all your lies, you’d lose your job.

3 If I lost my job, it’d be very hard to find another one in the same town.

4 If we’d got here a little sooner, we’d have seen the start of the match.

5 If I’d never met you, my life would have been very different.

6 If we could start again, things would be so much better.

2 © National Geographic Learning

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