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Unit 6

Chapter 4

Conditional (pp. 470-471)

The conditional has three forms.

1. future-possible (if+present tense+future tense)

If I go, I will take you along.

2. present-unreal (if+past tense+might/would/could+verb)

If he bought it, we could use it.

3. past-unreal (if+past perfect+might/would/could+have+verb)

If I had gone, I might have learned something.

Note: The order of clauses may be reversed.
If reversed, the comma is dropped.

I. Writing

  1. Find the conditional statements in the Comprehensive Reading.
  2. Identify which of the above three types they are.
  3. Rewrite, reversing the clauses.
  4. Change into the other two forms.
  5. Discuss the changes in meaning that occurred when #4 was done.

II. Dialogue

Jim: Where's Jack? Isn't he going mountain climbing with us?
Ted: He said he would go if he finished his work.
Jim: I guess he isn't finished yet.
Ted: If he had started earlier, he would have been done by now.

III. Exchanges

A: Why don't you help me?
B: I would if I could.
A: Why don't you go to Europe?
B: I would if I had the money.

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