Conditionals
Conditionals
1. If it rains today, you will get wet (you don’t have an umbrella).
This is still possible to happen.
PAST PRESENT
If she hadn’t missed the plane yesterday, she would be here in Bristol now. (but she isn’t)
If you had been careful yesterday, you wouldn’t be in hospital today. (but s/he is in hospital now)
If he had checked the map before the trip, he wouldn’t be lost. (but we are lost)
If I had taken my umbrella this morning, I wouldn’t get wet now. (but we got wet)
If I had taken an aspirin, I wouldn't have a headache now. (but I have)
Inversion in Conditional Sentences
Inversion in Conditional Sentences
Inversion is a technique of reversing the
normal order of words especially placing a
verb before its subject. We use inversion
in formal language
mostly in writing
in literature and poems
to create special effect
Inversion in Conditional Sentences
We can use inversion in sentences with the auxiliary
verbs WERE, HAD and SHOULD
Had I known that it was closed, I wouldn’t have come to the store.
If you ever need assistance, don’t hesitate to call. If I hadn’t told the police the
truth, an innocent person would
have been arrested.
Should you ever need assistance, don't hesitate to call Had I not told the police the
truth, an innocent person would
have been arrested.
INVERSION
Alternatives to IF
I won’t tell you what happened unless you promise to keep it secret.
You can go with us provided/providing (that) you pay for your own
meals.
Imagine you were taking an important exam on Monday, what would you
do the weekend before?
Suppose/Supposing someone published your private message on
Facebook, would you be angry?