The forms of the Past Indefinite and the Past Perfect used to denote unreality

1 If smb. did smth. smb. would do smth.

Even if

Even though I, we did smth. I, we should do smth.

2 If smb. had done smth. smb. would have

done smth.

Even if

Even though I, we had done smth. I, we should have

done smth.

Ex.1. Open the brackets. Use the Past Indefinite or the Past Perfect, depending on whether the sentence refers to the present, future or past:

Model: 1. We should have stayed there longer if it (not to

begin raining)

- if it had not begun raining

2. I’d tell him like a shot if I (to know) him better.

-if I knew him better.

1. Mother would worry herself sick if I (not to be) home by eleven o’clock.
2. The weather would have been right for a long walk if there (not to be) a threat of ram in the air.
3. If you (to know) what is good for you, you would not refuse.
4. If you (not to waste) all the time arguing, we should have got there already.
5. Even if nothing (to happen) to delay us, we should not be able to reach Sidney ahead of them.
6. If the taxi driver not (to recognize) him, we would have never been suspected.
7. Even you (not to go) so fast, we should not have found the right turning in the dark.
8. I should not have paid the slightest attention to his words if he (not to look) so upset.

Ex.2. Open the brackets. Use the present or past tense of the Conditional mood, depending on whether the sentences refer to the present or to the past:

Model: 1. If I had not seen it myself! not (to believe) it.

- I should not have believed it.

2. You not (to see) the coast-line if the weather were not exceptionally clear.

- would not see.

1. No one (to understand) anything if he had not been there to translate and explain.
2. There not (to be) any accident even if that woman had not screamed.
3. If you had lived there long enough you (to make) many friends among the fishing folk.
4. If I had a map of the island 1 (to go) there myself.
5. If the boys were here you not (to dare) to speak like that.
6. If the lights were better you (to see) traces of an inscription over the door.
7. Even if there had been people in the house they not (to hear) me.
8. If I knew the way I (to show) you how to get there.
9. If you had not been so nervous you (to notice) it yourself.

A. smb. would do smth.

if it were not for smb./smth.

I, we should do smth.

B. smb. would have done smth.

if it had not been for smb./smth.

I, we should not have done smth.

Ex. 2. Complete the following sentences using the words in brackets.

1. If it had not been for what he said (nobody – to believe).
2. If it had not been for your help and understanding (I – to achieve nothing).
3. If it were not for the children (we – to take a more interesting route).
4. If it were not for my bad foot (I – to go to the beach with them).
5. If it had not been for the rain (the forest fire – not to go out).
6. If it were not for you (she – to agree with our idea).
7. If it were not for a slight stammer (she – to have a good pronunciation).
8. If it had not been for this fall (he – to come first).

Ex.3.

A. Open the brackets. Refer the condition to the past, the result to the present

If I, we had done smth., I, we should do smth.;

Even if

Even though smb. had done smth., smb. would do smth.

1. If you (to take) her advice you (to know) what to do.
2. She (to be well) now if she (to stay) in bed a few days longer.
3. I (to show) you this place if I not (to promise) mother to be back by ten.

B. Complete the following sentences:

I, we should do smth.

If smb. were to do smth.

smb. would do smth.

1. I’m not sure I should know him...
2. What should we do...
3. Where would you find a doctor...
4. There would not be time enough to pack...
5. I believe I should take this job after all …

C. Make the sentences more emphatic by using the modal verb “would” in the clause of condition:

The form “would” of the modal verb “will” may be used in the clause of condition to denote an unreal action in the future with an additional meaning of wish – если бы кто-то захотел сделать что-то.

I, we should do smth.

If smb. would do smth.

smb. would do smth.

Model: The throat symptoms would trouble you less if only you did not smoke so much.

- if only you would not smoke so much.

1. The children would not annoy you if you did not pay attention to them.
2. I’d fix you a sort of meal if only somebody went and bought me some cigarettes.
3. No one would mind in the least if only you did not make such a noise.
4. Father would let you take the car if you left it clean.
5. I should be much better if you stopped asking me how I feel.
6. They would be all right if people let them alone.
7. Your health would be better if you stopped experimenting with one medicine after another.

D. Give your own examples:

The form “should” of the modal verb «shall» is used in the clause of condition to denote a problematic future action; as the action is not unreal the conditional mood is very seldom found in the principal clause. Mostly we find there the future tense of indicative mood or the imperative mood.

if smb. should do smth. smb will do smth.

should smb. do smth. I, we shall do smth.

Случайно, если окажется; если все же когда-нибудь; если вам когда-нибудь случится.

E. Change the type of condition in the following sentences by making it problematic or unreal in the present and future, unreal in the past:

Model:

Real condition

If nobody objects we shall begin at once.

Problematic condition.

If nobody should object (should nobody object) we shall begin at once

Unreal condition in the present or future

If nobody objected we should begin at once.

If nobody were to object we should begin at once.

Unreal condition in the past

If nobody had objected we should have begun at once.

1. If the weather is fine (tomorrow) the outing will be a success.
2. If we take the children, they will be in everybody’s way.
3. If you add a little sugar and cinnamon, it’ll taste just right.
4. If he is here by five o’clock, it will be all right with me.
5. If we have traffic lights here, the number of road accidents will decrease.
6. If you speak to her about it, she will just shrug it off.