MIXED CONDITIONAL SENTENCES

MIXED CONDITIONAL

The two parts of a conditional sentence might refer to different times, and the resulting sentence is a "mixed conditional" sentence. 

There are two types of mixed conditional sentences:

A. Present result of past condition:

1. Form

The tense in the 'if' clause is the past perfect, and the tense in the main clause is the present conditional:

If + past perfect If I had worked harder at school If we had looked at the map

Present conditional I would have a better job now. we wouldn't be lost.

2. Function

In these sentences, the time is past in the 'if' clause, and present in the main clause. 
They refer to an unreal past condition and its probable result in the present. 
They express a situation which is contrary to reality both in the past and in the present:

'If I had worked harder at school' is contrary to past fact - I didn't work hard at school, and 'I would have a better job now' is contrary to present fact - I haven't got a good job.

If we had looked at the map (we didn't), we wouldn't be lost (we are lost).

Examples:

I would be a millionaire now if I had taken that job.

If you'd caught that plane you'd be dead now.

If you hadn't spent all your money on CDs, you wouldn't be broke.

B. Past result of present or continuing condition.

1. Form

The tense in the If-clause is the simple past, and the tense in the main clause is the perfect conditional:

If + simple past If I wasn't afraid of spiders If we didn't trust him

Perfect conditional I would have picked it up. we would have sacked him months ago.

2. Function

In these sentences the time in the If-clause is now or always, and the time in the main clause is before now. 
They refer to an unreal present situation and its probable (but unreal) past result:

'If I wasn't afraid of spiders' is contrary to present reality - I am afraid of spiders, and 'I would have picked it up' is contrary to past reality - I didn't pick it up.

'If we didn't trust him' is contrary to present reality - we do trust him, and 'we would have sacked him' is contrary to past reality - we haven't sacked him.

Examples:

a. If she wasn't afraid of flying she wouldn't have travelled by boat.
b. I'd have been able to translate the letter if my Italian was better.
c. If I was a good cook, I'd have invited them to lunch.
d. If the elephant wasn't in love with the mouse, she'd have trodden on him by now. 

In mixed conditional sentences the time in the ‘if’ clause is not the same as the time in the main clause. There can be various combinations.

           If he’d gone to university he might have a better job.

He didn’t go to university (past)
He doesn’t have a very good job. (present)
This sentence shows the present consequences of a past action.

          If I’d won the competition I’d be going to Florida next week.

She didn’t win the competition (past)
She isn’t going to Florida (future)
This sentence shows the future consequences of a past action.

If Clause, Exercise 4

I   Write the correct form of the verbs in the blanks:

1.      If the question (be) difficult, we can ask the teacher.

2.      Lee will go to the Disneyland if he (save) enough money.

3.      If I (buy) a lottery ticket, I might win the lottery.

4.      My friend usually walks to school if he (have) enough time.

5.      If the movie (start) at eight, we will be late!

6.      We can go water-skiing if Jeff’s boat (have) gas.

7.      The class will have party if the students all (pass) their tests.

8.      If there (be) milk in the refrigerator, I’ll have milk with my cake.

9.      If my sister (eat) all of the cake, I will get angry.

10.  My mother always punishes my sister if she (tell) a lie.

II   Negatives: (Use contractions)

1.      If the world (not end) tomorrow, we’ll have to go to work as usual.

2.      If the pizza (not come now), we can eat a sandwich instead.

3.      If there (not be) any milk in the refrigerator, I’ll go to the supermarket.

4.      If it (not snow) tomorrow, we can’t go skiing.

5.      My dad will paint the garage if it (not rain) on Friday.

6.      If we (not go) to work, we won’t get paid.

7.      We can’t go if we (not buy) tickets.

8.      I will call you if she (not go) to the movies.

9.      We should go jogging if it (not be) raining outside.

10.  If the phone (not ring) this afternoon, I can take a nap.

III. Rewrite the following sentences using unless:

It is used instead of if + not in conditional sentences of all types.

1.      If the students don’t write their homework, they will get bad marks.

2.      If we don’t hurry, we’ll miss the train.

3.      If I don’t take my umbrella, I’ll get wet.

4.      If it isn’t fine tomorrow, we won’t go for a ride.

5.      If the employer doesn’t give him a pay rise, he will resign.

6.      If he hadn’t got bad news, he wouldn’t be so upset.

7.      He wouldn’t have gone to the party if they hadn’t invited him.

8.      She could become a famous singer if she took music lessons.

9.      They wouldn’t invest their money if they weren’t sure about the profit.

10.  I wouldn’t have invited you at the cinema if I had seen the film before.

IV. Put the verbs in the brackets into the right tense:

1.      If I go to London, I (see) the Houses of Parliament and the Town Bridge.

2.      Many employees would be fired if that factory (close) down.

3.      If the weather is fine The Browns (spend) the weekend in the mountains.

4.      If you (not like) tennis, you will find the match boring.

5.      If Susan (be) offered that job in a pub, she would take it.

6.      If the bus (arrive) on time, I (meet) my friend at the bus-station.

7.       The cat (scratch) you if you pull its tail.

8.      If they sold their old cottage they (not get) a lot of money for it.

9.      Mother gave me that pen. She (be) very upset if I lose it.

10.  If there (be) enough snow tomorrow, we (make) a huge snowman.

11.  If I (buy) a lottery ticket, I (could win) the lottery.

12.  If Ben (give) somebody his word, he keep it.

13.  If you (call) me, I (come). -supposition

14.  If more mad cows (be found) many hitchers (lose) their jobs.

15.  If the Stock Exchange (crash), people (lose) their money.

16.  If guns (be abolished) we (feel) much safer.

17.  If I (win) the lottery, I (go) on vacation to Paris.

18.  If I (know) before that Athens was such a beautiful place, I (spend) two weeks there.

19.  If computers had existed 500 years ago, we (have) Shakespeare’s file.

20.  If I (not invest) all my money in shares, I (be) a poor man now.

21.  You have to work hard if you [ want ] to fail your exam.

22.  I would have told you the news earlier if I [ see ] you.

23.  If the report is not on my desk until tomorrow, you [ be ] in big trouble.

24.  If we had had enough money, we [ go ] to the concert.

25.  You [ speak ] English better if you read more English newspapers.

26.  If he had not fallen asleep, he [ crash ] his car.

Gerund & Infinitive, Test 2

Choose the correct form of the verbs (infinitive or gerund):

1.    I am keen on (to work, working) in the computer industry.
2.    Amy decided (to see, seeing) a doctor.
3.    Leila enjoys (to read, reading) love stories.
4.    Do you intend (to learn, learning) Italian or English?
5.    Do you mind (to help, helping) me wash the dishes?
6.    Alan asked (to talk, talking) to the boss
7.    I can't help (to laugh, laughing) when I watch Mr. Been.
8.    If Sara keeps (to come, coming) to work late, she'll have problems with the boss.
9.    Lisa hates (to study, studying) Maths.
10.Are you interested in (to live, living) in Africa ?

Correct the following sentences:

He helped me solving my problems.

The policeman ordered me stop.

You shouldn't risk to lose your reputation.

I advised him stopping. Don't worry.

I'll remember calling you tonight.

Listen, Derek failed passing his final exams!

Do you think it's worth to buy it?
The test turned out being easy.

Do you prefer swim?

Did she continue teaching ?

Choose the correct answer:

1.  (To marry/Marrying) a knight in shining armor is the dream of many girls. 

2.  I shudder (to think/thinking) that I almost lost everything in the stock market.

3.  We dislike (to drink/drinking) soda from a can.

4.  The problem has been fixed.  You may resume (to answer/answering) the telephones.

5.  Sharon volunteered (to help/helping) the student with his math.

6.  They studied at Beijing University.  (To study/Studying) at Beijing University was a dream come true.

7.  She paid the mechanic (to fix/fixing) the car.

8.  My wife reminded me (to go/going) to the doctor’s office today.

9.  I would like (to thank/thanking) everyone for this award.

10. Which is correct ?

a. Christine quit to teach.      b. Christine quit teaching.

Test 6

EVALUATION  TEST

Choose the correct sentence:

Please speak a little more slower.

Please speak a little more slowly.

Please speak a little more slow.

Please speak a little more slowlier.

The plane arrived in the airport late on Monday.

The plane arrived at the airport late on Monday.

The plane arrived for the airport late on Monday.

The plane arrived to the airport late on Monday.

Since 1964 there has been no gas explosions here.

Since 1964 there have been no gas explosions here.

Since 1964 there were no gas explosions here.

Since 1964 there were being no gas explosions here.

I lied the table for supper.

I laid the table for supper.

I lay the table for supper

I lain the table for supper.

There was a problem with the cell phone, but I fixed it now.

There was a problem with the cell phone, but I have fixed it now.

There was a problem with the cell phone, but I have been fixing it now.

There was a problem with the cell phone, but I would have fixed it now.

You mustn`t come tomorrow if you have something else to do.

You needn`t to come tomorrow if you have something else to do.

You don`t need come tomorrow if you have something else to do.

You needn`t come tomorrow if you have something else to do.

I twice have already read this book.

I have read already twice this book.

I have already read this book twice.

I already twice read have this book.

One of our lawyers has studying the case.

One of our lawyers has been studying the case.

One of our lawyers had studying the case.

One of our lawyers had studied the case.

I turned up some of my old drawings while I was clearing out the cupboard.

I came across some of my old drawings while I was clearing out the cupboard.

I caught up with some of my old drawings while I was clearing out the cupboard.

I looked for some of my old drawings while I was clearing out the cupboard.