WHAT IF...?

THIRD CONDITIONAL

IF+ PAST PERFECT, WOULD+ HAVE+ PAST PARTICIPLE

IMPOSSIBLE CONDITIONS AND REGRETS IN THE PAST:

- If I had studied harder, I wouldn't have failed the exam.

- If TV hadn't been invented, we wouldn't have seen the Apollo landing on the moon.

SECOND CONDITIONAL

We wouldn't have got lost if we hadn't forgot the GPS.

We got lost last night because we forgot the GPS. We wouldn’t…

You ate the whole cake. That’s why you felt sick. If you hadn’t…

I didn’t go to see Helen because I didn’t know she was in hospital.

If you hadn't eaten the whole cake, you wouldn't have felt so sick.

If I had known that Helen was in hospital, I would have gone to see her.

IF + PAST SIMPLE, WOULD + INFINITIVE

IMAGINARY, HYPOTHETICAL OR IMPROBABLE SITUATIONS:

- If I were * you, I wouldn't spend hours online.

- I would buy a Ferrari if I won the lottery.

- If the Internet didn't exist, it wouldn't be so easy to keep in touch with friends living abroad.

Notice that with this type of conditional we use were instead of was for first and third person singular.

If I didn't have to study, I could meet my girlfriend.

If Kate loved me, I wouldn't feel so miserable.

I can’t meet my girlfriend because I have to study. If I didn’t…

I feel miserable because Kate doesn’t love me. If Kate…

I won’t go to the party because I’m not feeling well. I would…

Girls don’t talk to you because you never smile. Girls would…

I would go to the party if I didn't feel so bad.

*

Girls would talk to you if you smiled.

As long as,

Even if,

Provided that,

Unless.

FIRST CONDITIONAL

IF + PRESENT SIMPLE, WILL

When you start with the if clause you need a comma separating the two clauses.

REAL, POSSIBLE SITUATIONS:

- If you study, you will pass the exam.

- You will pass the exam if you study.

- If you cook, I'll do the washing up.

If you go out in the rain, you will get wet

If you go to the cinema this weekend, you won't have to pay.

If you go to the cinema this weekend, they will give you free tickets

Don’t go out in the rain because you’ll get wet. If you…

Go to the cinema this weekend and you won’t have to pay. If you…

If I study, I will pass the exam. (not study). If I …

ZERO CONDITIONAL

If I don't study, I won't pass the exam.

If I don't study, I will fail the exam.

IF + PRES.SIMPL, PRES. SIMPLE

We can substitute "if" for:

- as long as (siempre y cuando)

-even if (incluso si)

-provided/providing that (con tal de, simpre y cuando)

- unless (a menos que, si no)

FACTS AND TRUTHS:

- If you mix blue and yellow, you get green.

- You get green if you mix blue and yellow.

GIVE ORDERS:

- If you have any question, ask me.

- Ask me if you have any question.

WHAT IF...?

(CONDITIONAL SENTENCES, AS LONG AS, EVEN IF, PROVIDED THAT, WISH AND IF ONLY)

1. We'll be late unless we hurry.

(=if we don't hurry).

2. Unless you work harder, you're not going to pass the examination. (= If you don't work harder, ...)

3. You can use my car as long as you drive carefully.

(= if you drive carefully).

4. Travelling by car is convenient provided (that) you have somewhere to park (= if there is room for parking)

5. Even if Simon apologizes, I'll never speak to

him again!

unless you listen carefully

miss the bus unless you hurry

won't be able to understand you unless you speak slowly

look for another job unless my salary increases

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Exercise A: Change each sentence using UNLESS make sure it makes sense.

Example: You must study hard or you won`t pass the exam.

Answer: You won`t pass the exam unless you study.

1. You must listen carefully or you won`t know what to do.= You won`t know what to do...

2. We must hurry or we'll miss the bus. =We'll

3. You must speak very slowly or she won't be able to understand you.= She

4. My salary must be increased or I'll look for another job. =I'll

Exercise B: Choose the correct word for each sentence.

1. I'm playing basketball tomorrow unless / providing that it's raining.

2. We're going to start painting the wall tomorrow unless / provided that it's not raining.

3. You can smoke in here unless / as long as you leave a window open to let the smoke out.

4. The children can stay here unless / providing that they don't make too much noise.

5. I am leaving now unless / provided that you want me to stay.

6. Mary doesn't trust anyone. She won't lend you any money unless / as long as you promise to pay her back.

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WISH and IF ONLY

I wish/ If only I had listened to the teacher!

READ THESE SITUATIONS. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?

1. You have an exam today but you didn't know because you weren't listening when the teacher said it.

2. You have met your friend up for dinner but he is texting all the time and doesn't pay attention to what you are saying.

3. You don't want to be at school now, you'd prefer to be in Hawaii having a (virgin) mojito and chilling at the beach.

I wish/If only you would stop texting!

I wish/If only you would pay attention to what I am saying!

REGRETS:

WISH/IF ONLY + PAST PERFECT

If only I had studied harder.

CHANGE IN THE PRESENT:

WISH/ IF ONLY + PAST SIMPLE

If only I had the air conditioning installed.

I wish I didn't have to come to school.

COMPLAINTS:

WISH/ IF ONLY + WOULD

I wish my students would stop talking! :)

I wish/If only I could be in Hawaii now!

I wish/If only I were in Hawaii having a virgin mojito now!