Conditionals Modern English Grammar 2 Session 8 But

Conditionals Modern English Grammar 2 Session 8

But first a quick recap on … …what conditions the choice of modals.

15. 4 Which Modal? relationship with interlocutor strength of confidence or belief social standing level of formality of the situation MEG-2 © FAM extrinsic modality intrinsic modality 3

For Conditionals the use of auxiliaries is more narrowly defined and determined by the situation, both pragmatically and syntactically.

Let’s check Exploration 1 on page 132 MEG-2 © FAM 5

16. 1 Exploring Conditionals a) 1. if fossil fuel is burnt CO 2 is released into the atmosphere 2. if I had £ 10, 000 I would buy a house in California 3. if it rains you’ll get soaking wet. 4. if she had told her teachers about the bullying they would have suspended the gang 5. if water freezes its volume increases 6. if we reduce our carbon footprint we decrease the rate of global warming MEG-2 © FAM 6

16. 1 Exploring Conditionals b) 7. if you ask her out she will probably not turn you down 8. had you phoned earlier we wouldn’t have arranged to go out tonight 9. supposing you were able to convince the committee you could get a grant for the next three years 10. if it snowed tomorrow he’d be on the piste all day 11. if my mother had been poor my father would have married someone else 12. unless there is plenty of rain the wheat grows very badly in October MEG-2 © FAM 7

Do Exploration 2 on page 132 MEG-2 © FAM 8

16. 1 Exploring Conditionals c) • • open possibility outcome likely/expected • • limited, mainly theoretical possibility outcome doubtful • • impossibility outcome “overtaken by events” 1 2 4 3 9 8 5 10 11 6 7 12 MEG-2 © FAM 9

Do Activity 1 on page 133 MEG-2 © FAM 10

16. 1 Basic types of Conditionals Probable condition (I) Verb forms Conditional I Hypothetical condition (II) Verb forms Conditional II Impossible condition (III) Verb forms Conditional III MEG-2 If clause main clause If you ask her out she will probably not turn you down. present will + main verb if I had £ 10, 000 I would buy a house in California. past would + main verb Had you phoned earlier we wouldn’t have arranged to go out tonight. past perfect would have + main verb -ed © FAM 11

But as always… …this isn’t really the whole picture

Do Exploration 3 on page 132 MEG-2 © FAM 13

16. 2. 1 Variations a) 1. If you see him, tell him to get lost. 2. If we run/ran like hell we might just make the train. 3. I won’t be able to get up to the hut if it has snowed. Type unusual element I imperative in MC I/II modal aux in MC I present perfect in if -C 4. Come this way if you will, your Grace. I? will in if-C 5. If you saw him in the street, he always looked the other way. ? no auxiliaries MEG-2 © FAM 14

16. 2. 1 Variations b) Type unusual element 6. You can pick it up tomorrow if they are fixing it now. I modal in MC, pres. cont. in if-C 7. Please phone me immediately if it should arrive today. I should in if-C 8. If I were you, I’d run a mile in a situation like this. II were instead of was 9. He gets nervous if his wife brings home her boss. ? present in both clauses (no aux. ) 10. I will take it to the post office if you would only sign it. I? would in if-C MEG-2 © FAM 15

Do Activity 2 on page 133 MEG-2 © FAM 16

16. 2. 1 Extended Basic Conditionals a) If clause main clause General condition (0 a) if his wife brings home her boss he gets nervous Verb forms Conditional 0 a present (simple) General condition (0 b) If you saw him in the street he always looked the other way Verb forms Conditional 0 b past (simple) meaning: if = whenever MEG-2 © FAM 17

Continue with Activity 2 on page 135 MEG-2 © FAM 18

16. 2. 1 Extended Basic Conditionals b) I Verb Forms I 1. if you see him tell him to get lost. present simple imperative 3. if it has snowed I won’t be able to get up to the hut present perfect will + main verb 6. if they are fixing it you can pick it up now tomorrow Verb Forms present continuous aux + main verb I 7. if it should arrive today please phone me immediately Verb Forms MEG-2 instruction condition to be met before event in the main clause condition in progress at the time of speaking (rather) formal request should + verb © FAM 19

16. 2. 1 Extended Basic Conditionals C) I 4. if you will, your Grace Verb Forms will (+ main verb) I 10. if you would only sign it come this way polite request / volition I will take it to the post office polite, urgent request hypothetical or possible condition with questionable result Verb Forms would + main verb I/II 2. if we run/ran like hell we might just make the train. present/past modal aux 8. if I were you I’d run a mile in a situation like this. Verb Forms II Verb Forms MEG-2 subjunctive © FAM residual use of subjunctive in English 20

Do Activity 3 on page 135 MEG-2 © FAM 21

16. 2. 2 Mixed forms If-clause Main Clause if it hadn’t rained all week I would take you on a hike today III II if you enjoyed Reservoir Dogs you will enjoy Pulp Fiction as well II I if I weren’t so damn soft-hearted II III MEG-2 I’ll lendeyou ntthe money d n e p e d ” n n o i “no t i d n o c if it will make a difference ? I would have thrown you out a long time ago © FAM I? 22

Do Exploration 4 on page 134 MEG-2 © FAM 23

16. 3 Correct or incorrect: rules of thumb a) 1. If you will make an effort, I will talk to her. OK: volition 2. I will see you if I will be in Bern next. Wrong 3. I would try to do these exercises if I would know where to start. Wrong 4. If you would organise a plumber, I would pay OK: polite request for the work. 5. If he is watching telly we are waiting a long time. Wrong 6. You have to be very careful if you are going to challenge her. OK MEG-2 © FAM 24

16. 3 Correct or incorrect: rules of thumb a) 7. Were it to rain tomorrow, we would have to cancel the concert. Formal, replacement construction using subjunctive 8. She would have done it if you would have asked her to. Wrong 9. If you be found wanting, you will be condemned to an eternity of sorrow. Subjunctive, highly formal 10. If she was interested, she would have given you her mobile number. relatively informal, more formally “were interested”. 11. He would have a lot more money if he were to move to Spain. “were to” (subjunctive) expressing a relatively vague plan MEG-2 © FAM 25

16. 3 Those Rules-of-Thumb Do not use the present continuous in both clauses 5. If he is watching telly, we are waiting a long time. Do not use will in the if-clause: 2. I will see you if I will be in Bern next. Exception: 1. If you will (only) make an effort, … Do not use would in the if-clause unless you want to be very polite: 3. I would try to do these exercises if I would know… Do not use would have in the if-clause: 8. She would have done it if you would have asked her to. MEG-2 © FAM 26

Do Exploration 5 on page 134 MEG-2 © FAM 27

16. 4. Alternatives to “if” • • MEG-2 • • if only if providing (that) provided (that) suppose (that) supposing (that) assuming (that) unless (=if not) © FAM even if on condition that in case as long as so long as given the fact that inversion (II/III) 28