Other conditional expressions

 

1. “Unless” + affirmative verb is similar to “if” + negative verb.

e.g. Unless I hurry, I’II miss my bus. (If I don’t hurry, I’ll miss my bus.)

 

2. “Otherwise” means “if we don’t do this/if he didn’t do this/if I hadn’t done this” etc. e.g. He must take the pills. Otherwise he won’t get well.

 

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3. “Provided (that)” means “on condition that” and emphasizes a restriction. e.g. You can park here, provided you leave before six.

 

1. Rephrase the sentences using ‘unless’.

 

e.g. If we don’t leave now, we’ll miss the start of the film.

*Unless we leave now, we’ll miss the start of the film.

 

1. If you don’t wear you coat, you’ll be cold.

2. We’ll play tennis tomorrow if it doesn’t rain.

 

3. He won’t receive the letter tomorrow if you don’t post it before 1 o’clock today.

4. If I don’t get a pay rise at work, I’ll start looking for another job.

5. I won’t lend you the car if you don’t promise to drive carefully.

6. Your cough won’t get better if you don’t stop smoking.

 

2. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct tenses.

 

1. Unless they turn that radio off I (go) mad.

2. I’ll probably get lost unless he (come) with me.

3. Unless they leave a lamp beside that hole in the road somebody (fall) into it.

4. You (not be) any use to me unless you learn to type.

 

 

‘Wish’ sentences

 

1. ’Wish’ and ‘if only’ are used with a simple past to express regret about a present situation.

e.g. I wish I knew Sue’s telephone number. (I don’t know it).

 

2. ‘Wish’ and ‘if only’ are used with a past perfect tense to express regret about a past situation. e.g. I feel sick. I wish I hadn’t eaten so much. (I ate too much).

 

3. ‘Wish’ and ‘if only’ are used with “would” to expressdissatisfaction with the present and wish forchange in the future.

 

e.g. The music next door is very loud. I wish they would turn it down.

 

1. Choose the right tense after ‘wish’ and ‘if only’.

 

e.g. It’s a pity he doesn’t speak English.

· Yes, I wish he spoke English.

· Yes, if only he spoke English.

 

1. It’s a pity she’s in hospital.

2. It’s a pity he wasn’t elected.

3. It’s a pity she doesn’t like you.

4. It’s a pity he didn’t recognize you.

5. It’s a pity they didn’t come.

 

6. It’s a pity she can’t play anymore.

7. It’s a pity they left so soon.

 

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8. It’s a pity she’s unhappy.

 

9. It’s a pity she’s deaf.

10. It’s a pity they weren’t at home.

 

2. Put the verbs in brackets into the correct forms.

 

1. If only we (have) a phone! I’m tired of queuing outside the public phone box.

 

2. I wish I (know) what is wrong with the car.

3. I wish I (ask) the fishmonger to clean these fish. (I’m sorry I didn’t ask him.)

4. If only he (know) then the disease was curable!

5. I wish you (not give) him my phone number. (I’m sorry you gave it to him)

6. I wish transistor radios never (be) invented.

7. If only I (be) insured! (But I wasn’t insured.)

 

8. If only I (keep) my mouth shut! (I said something, which made matters much worse.)

 

9. But I told you what to do. – I know you did. If only I (take) your advice!

 

3. Rewrite the following, using a ‘wish’ construction (phrases in brackets should be omitted).

 

1. I’m sorry I haven’t got a washing machine.

2. I’m sorry I don’t live near my work.

3. I’m sorry our garden doesn’t get any sun.

4. I’m sorry I called him a liar.

5. I’m sorry I don’t know Finnish.

6. I’m sorry I didn’t book a seat.

 

7. I’m sorry I haven’t got a car.

8. I’m sorry I can’t drive.

9. I’d like Tom to drive more slowly (but I haven’t any great hopes of this).

10. I’d like you to keep quiet. (You are making so much noise that I can’t think).

11. I’m sorry we accepted the invitation.

12. I’m sorry that theatre tickets cost so much.

13. It’s a pity that shops here shut on Saturday afternoon.

 

14. It’s a pity he didn’t work harder during the term.

15. I’m sorry you didn’t see it.

16. It’s a pity you are going tonight.

17. It’s a pity I haven’t got a work permit.

18. I would like it to stop raining (but I’m not very hopeful).

19. I’d like you to wait for me (even though you are ready to start now.)

 

20. I’m sorry I didn’t bring a map.

21. I’m sorry I ever came to this country.

22. I’m sorry I left my last job.

23. I’m sorry I didn’t stay in my last job.

24. I’d like him to cut his hair (but I don’t suppose he will.)

 

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25. I’d like him to stop smoking in bed (but I haven’t any great hopes).