LONGMAN ENGLISH GRAMMAR PRACTICE

14.1 Type 1 conditionals

14.2C 'If + past + modal: 'If he knew the facts, he might[> LEG 14.14]

Study:

Ш

Write:

When we use would in the main clause, we are expressing as much certainty as possible:

If he knew the facts, he would tell us what to do. (certain or nearly certain [> 14.1B])

If we don't feel 'certain' enough to use would, we can use another modal to say what would be

possible or necessary, for example:

If he knew the facts, he might tell us what to do. (it's possible)

If he knew the facts, he should tell us what to do. (it's necessary)

Supply the correct forms of the missing verbs. Use could, ought to, or might in the main clause.

1 If she ..MW^/wiM, (be) here now, she (give) us some advice.

2 If he (fail) in his present job, he (think) about another career.

3 If you (can play) a musical instrument, you (help) with the school orchestra.

4 If they (have) the right qualifications, they (be able to) apply for better jobs.

5 If she (can have) some lessons, she (improve) her performance.

6 If we (run) our own business, we (be) more independent.

7 If John (go) to his home town, he (visit) his mother.

8 If Susan (borrow) your book, she (return) it.

9 If Frank (want) advice, he (ask) his bank manager.

14.2D Context

Write: Put in Type 2 conditionals throughout.

LYING IN THE SUN

Two tramps, Eugene and Sergio, were lying in the sun.

EUGENE: What (we/doing) if the sun (not shining)^2?

SERGIO: Well, (we/not be)^3 lying here for a start. But that's not the important

question. The important question is: what (we do)^4 if (we/be)

(^5) rich?
EUGENE: If (we/be)^6 rich, we (can/travef)^7 everywhere.
SERGIO: True, but we travel everywhere already.
EUGENE: Yes, but not in style. If (we/have)^8 money, our chauffeur, James, (can/
drive)^9 us round in our Rolls. Imagine, if (we/be)^10
in that position! (We/return)^11 to our fine mansion in the country.
SERGIO: Yes, the butler (put out)^12 fresh clothes for us, the cook (prepare)
(^13) a fine meal for us. We (^14) not just be eating carrots
all the time.
EUGENE: Yes. If (we/own)^15 a house like that, (we/also have)
(^16) a fine swimming-pool.
SERGIO: Yes! Yes! If (we/have)^17 a fine swimming-pool, (we can/swim)
(^18) as much as we liked.
EUGENE: If (we/be)^19 really really rich, (we can/lie)^20 in the sun!
SERGIO: But we are lying in the sun!
Lying in the sun