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12? Conditionals Introduction f Look at sentences a ta d below, spoken by a TV reporter at a scene of flooding. In which one does the reporter 1 form a theory about the past? 2 describe a situation that is always true? 3 make a prediction about the way someone will behave? 4 farm a theory about the present? a Whenever there is a period of heavy rainfall, there is a risk of flooding in the town of Flintchurch. b Tf the flood barriers were higher, the houses on Weston Road would probably be secure from flooding. c Waterlevels would have dropped to a safe level if the rain had stopped an hour ago. d Unless the floodwater falls in the next half hour, the local authorities will begin to evacuate all buildings south of the river. Suggested answers: see page 209 17 Conditionals Conditional sentences are a useful way of exploring the relationship between cause and effect, in all types of text, from factual writing to the development ot arguments. + Ifyou heat water to a high enough temperature, it boils. » If diamonds had not been discovered in South Africa, the history of that region would have followed a less dramatic and probably more peacefil path. Conditional sentences always contain two parts: the if clause, which expresses the condition, and a clause expressing the result. The if clause can come first or second. When it comes first, you should put a comma alterit. + [f you invest in research and development, you will always get a good return on your money. + You will always get a good return on your money if you invest in research and development. This unit looks at the two types of conditional sentence: *real' (zero and first conditionals) as in the sentence above about boiling water, and 'unreal' or “hypothetical' (second and third conditionals) as in the sentence about South Africa. dj Unit contents 1 Zero conditionals page 153 2 First conditionals page 153 : 3 Provided (that), unless, etc. page 154 4 Second conditionals page 155 : 5 Third conditionals page 156 See also unit 12 Cause and effect tor more examples of conditional sentences. fEAN Zero conditionals 17.1 study Zero conditionals are *real' conditionals, which mcans that they describe things that are true or are likely to happen. They normally have present tense verbs i both parts of the sentence and describe situations that always produce the same results. When or whenever (meaning “every lime Lhat') can often replace if. = If/When/Whenever 1 read all day, 1 get a headache. They are common in a number of subject arcas including science, business and law. + 1[/When/ Whenever a small asteroid hits the Earth's atmosphere, it bums up immediately. +» We are not able to offer refunds if/when goods are returned without receipts * Completing an anual tax return is a legal requirement if/when you are self-employed. [TIP Its possible to use two past tenses together. If/When scientists in those early days made discoveries that might offend religious authority, they sometimes wrote up their results in code. Some of these codes have been broken recently by computer programs. Tn a presentation, speakers occasionally use the form What happens if ...? . E .. nd what happens if we apply this trend to the next decade? Well, you can immediately see from my nexl slide that... 17.1 test yourself Make complete sentences by adding ¡f. Add commas and capital letters where necessary. 1 local authorilies are fined they do not recycle at least 25% of domestic rubbish. 2 you translate poetry into another language you lose some aspects ol the original text. 3 phosphorus burns you expose it to air. 4 some travel companies guarantee to deliver your tickels within LwenLy four hours you pay online. 5 they overtrain athletes increase the risk of injury in competition. 6 transport costs are reduced most produce sold. is grown locally. E First conditionals 17.2 study 1 Form and use Like zero conditionals, first conditionals are 'real' conditionals. They typically use the present simple tense in the ¡f clausc, and the future with will in Uhe result clause. » If temperatures rise again, there will be further outbreaks of fire in the forests of southern Greece. [TIP Rernember that we don'tuse will in the if clause of first conditionals. + IfitwilLent cuts costs now, Mototron will survive the recession. First conditionals are often used for asking about or making predictions. Such predictions can be a way of giving a warning or of offering advice. + Many small companies will lose business if they do not fake advantage of internet marketing. + If you submit your essay after the deadline, it will not be marked. « Who will be the winners in society if interest rates rise dramatically? They may also be used for offers and guarantees. + There is no fine print. If you are not completely satisfied with any ¡ten or service you buy from us, we will refund your money in full for up to one year after purchase [TIP Be going to can be used in either parts of a first conditional sentence, particularly in spoken English. In this example, a student is giving a presentation. +) No oneis saying that there aren't conventional answers to social issues. But if were going to find solutions to some of these urban problems, then we'll have to be willing to experiment. 2 Unless, otherwise Unless means “except if” + Apprenticeship schemes will disappear altogether unless the government takes action. + Unless an agreement is reached at the talks in Jakarta, these unfair Lrade practices are likely to continue. Otherwise means “because if not'. » Local authorities need to ensure that urban areus have sufficient green spaces for public recreation, Otherwise, they can be accused of contributing to the build-up of urban stress. 3 On condition that, in the event that These phrascs are formal alternatives to if. They tend to be used to describe rules, or to write about legal matters. + In the event that a candidate cannot produce 1D, he or she will be unable to take the exam. + Prisoners can sometimes be released early on condition that they agree to be electronically tagged. [TIP Even if (which is also regularly used with second and third conditionals) means “whether or not" « The government is likely to press ahead with reforras to the House of Lords even if there are objections from its own backbenchers. 17.3 test yourself Circle the correct option. In one sentence, both aptions are possible, An interview process can be defended as fair unless/provided that the successful candidate satis/ies the criteria listed under “person specifications”. Commuters will not leave their cars at home. Otherwise, /home unless there is a real financial incentive. Accommodation is offered at no charge on condition that/provided that it is not used for commercial gain. 4 Aslong as/Tf six more volunteers cannot be found, the experiment will have to be brought to an end. 5 There will need to be a cut in the scale of fishing even i£/if new stocks of tish are found. 6 We should take action against global warming not only as countries but also as individuals unless/individuals; otherwise we simply won't produce the kind of momentum that we need. . m cs £U%3 Second conditionals 17.4 study 1 Form and use Second conditionals are “unreal' conditionals. They are called “unreal' because they can be used to imagine whal might happen if circumstances were different. They can be an important way of exploring behaviour and testing theories. + If developing countries had a greater control of commodity prices, they would be able to plan their economies more efficiently. + What do you think would happen in the UK if the law on self-defence were changed tomorrow? Second conditionals use a past tense in the ¡f clausc, and typically would + verb in Uhe result clause. » If we paid in dollars instead of sterling, would we get a discount on a bulk purchase? As with first conditionals, would can be replaced with another modal verb. Archaeologists might make important new discoueries if they were allowed long-term access to building sites in key areas of major cities. Instead, valuable discoveries are lost as bulldozers tear up the earth. [TIP In formal writing, were¡s preferred in the if clause to the singular form was. = Iffastbroadband access was were introduced to remote areas of the peninsula, the local population might be able to sell of sore their products on the internet. 17 Conditionals 2 Changes to the ¿f clause The form were to + infinitive can be used in the if clausc instead of a past simple, where it tends to make the condition even less likely to be fulfilled. + Ifthe business community were to replace international trade fairs entirely with online video conferences, it could lose that vital relationship when the sales team makes physical contact with retailers in the places where they live and work. You will also hcar lecturers using this structure to evaluate options. . > If we were to incinerate plastics on a large scale, what wasle products would we produce? If it were not for/Without + noun phrase can also be used. * Ifitiwere not for/Without easy access to solar energy, business costs in the region would be too high. (5 If businesses did not have easy access to solar energy, their costs ...) (TP In spoken English the words suppose (or supposing) can be used, meaning what if”. + O) SupposeMWhat if we applied that argument in every case? What would the result be? 17.4 test yourself Correct the incorrect sentences. Some sentences are already correct. 1 Itwould greatly benefit the regional economies if more business headquarters moved from | London to cities such as Manchester. | 2 Ifthe UK would be committed to renewable | forms of energy, it would benefit economically in | the long-term. 3 Croker plc would benefit from the market in parttime workers ifit has a more flexible recruitment policy. 4 If the government were introduced a 60% tax rate, more tax payers might use tax avoidance schemes. | 5 Ifadmission to the Vauxhall Art Gallery were | cheaper, it might attract local office workers. | 6 If there were not for its highly-skilled local | worktorce, car manufacturers could not operate | in north-east England 156 17 Conditionals £EZS Third conditionals 17.5 study 1 Form and use Third conditionals are also “unreal” conditionals. They use a past perfect tense in the if' clause and typically would have + past participle in the result clause. We use them to talk about what would have happened if circumstances had been different in the past. * Ifthe advertising campaign had focused on its target audience - young professionals with disposable income — it would have produced more impressive increases in sales. 5001-- Wheat prices : $ per.tonne 400|-- 3004 Lancashire Bakeries E amanao, 100 [tU y Pan E ia PELEAS RS If wheat prices hadn't risen to 5450 a tonne in September, Lancashire Bakeries would have made As wilh olher conditionals, another modal verb can replace would. In this example, the use of should expresses a critical attitude. + If there had been doubts about the funding of the project, an investigation should have followed immediately. (An investigation didn't follow.) Essay questions sometimes use third conditional questions. + What would have happened if von Stauffenberg's plot against Hitler had succeeded? + Would there have been a depression if (he government had not bailed out the banks? (rr) In spoken English, ttis quite common to use one clause only of the third conditional forrn. Look at this example from a seminar. + A Itwas clear to insiders that Northern Rock was having difficulties. B Butno one viarned the public. Why not? € Because (if people had been warned) the building society would have collapsed immediately! 17 Challenge yourself A Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb in brackets, What type of conditianal ¡s the sentence (zero, first, second, or third)? 1 Powerplay ple would have lost a significan! share of (he youlh marke! if hey (increase) the price of their product. 2 T believe that T have the right attitude to revision. IfI______ (need)a brcak when I'm studying, 1 Lake one. IL helps me Lo slay focused. 3 Ifthere___ (be)aregional centre for medical aid supplies, it would speed up the response time in emergency situations. 4 Practical skills arc vital, but architects also need to maintain a sense of Uheir initial inspiration, whatever problems they (encounter) as the building work progresses. 5 We would not have been obliged to bail oul he banks ifwe___—— (listen) to the quieter economic voices, who advised us against their riskier practices. 6 We (not see) an improvement in the binge-drinking culture unless pubs and clubs begin to act more responsibly. B Complete the text about “green retailing', using the correct form of the verbs in the box. Use a negative form where necessary. ¿wish renew act present label place be Environmental considerations are often only a marketing strategy, and companies can easily he accused of “greenwash'. Supermarkets, for example, are in the business of trying to anticipatc demand. If new organic shops begin to open all over the city, then supermarkets '______ neworders for organic produce, and? itas ethical purchasing. But if consumer demand later dropped, they ?. those orders. Social enterprises, on the other hand, maintain environmental policies that are as important as their equal opportunities policies. They will have a sustainable procurement policy, for example, even if this just a preferred suppliers list. Furthermore, if their carbon footprint seemed excessive, they 5 to reduce it, and if their suppliers or customers $ to learn about their decision mechanisms, they would bc open to that in a way that is not common in the ordinary business community. As Carson (2010) points '5fit planned to oul, an enterprise such as Greenstock 7 itself 's be a conventional company. c QS Complete the words in the group discussion on prisons. A Sorae people think that prison is the best punishment for criminals, but a ji judgesusedcommunity service more, instead of prison sentences? B - Itdepends on the type of crime, though, doesn't it? C Exactly 35 someone had been involved in violence, they would in tobekeptapartirom society. B And how do you make sure that someone on community service doesnt just disappear? A Well, ta 1 a theyre electronically tagged, the policesc— keecptrackofthem. D 1 think youive got a point about prison. All the statistics show that after they re released, ex-prisoners often reoffend anyway. 17 Challenge yourself A ISSARY ethical:morally correct oracceptable purchasingithe activity of buying things, especially for a company sustainable'involving the use of natural products and energy in a way that does nat harm the environment conventional following what is traditional or the way something has been done for a long. time B Butifthey“im_————thekindof education they getin prison, that situation is L__—————— tochange. Do you remember Prisoner B, for example, in last week's case study? With some job training, he a A —reoffended. € Education requires additional funding, though, does't18? If yowre really se pa make a difference to the standards of literacy, andso on, yow'll "h___ t putalotofmoneyin. A Butit'sa good investment, isn't it an ex-prisoner has some qualifications, they Sw beableto find work once they're back in society. That's when they start to ink about crime again. D Correct the text about the benefits of cycling by adding the words in the box. Some sentences are correct, and some sentences need more than one word. had have might lead switched be were do 11f a substantial proportion ot road 1 from cars to bicycles, this would an impact on the amount of road space and sheer wcar and tear that the road network has to deal with. “Even if there a switch of 10%, it would to + measurable reduction in the need tor maintenance of the infrastructure. “To take a very concre ampole, there may be a weak spot in the road which the council knows needs to be refilled every yeax or e time 100,000 cars have driven over iL “Provided, over a year. that only 90,000 cars so, [hen the meintenance can postponed for a month. *It is easy la see how this xind of 'stretching' can soon add un to significan! budgctary savings. “A spokesperson for one local borough in London admitted that if they invested 410,000 pounds morc in their cycling campaign, they have saved half a million pounds in road maintenance costs. E Circle the correct options in the text about staff recruitment. AW OSSARY A company 'had to/may have to advertise a new job exclusively to internal adidates first, f/unless provided that it is accepted practice to do so. At Benson ple HR Manager Phil Swales believes that if they “did advertise/had not advertised/had adverlised thcir new research post externally, it “might have/can have produced a more interesting dynamic at the public presentation stage of the process. exclusively only to one particular person or group internal'involving or concerning only the people who are part ofa When a company recruits fox a post, externally or internally, an interview particular organization timetable is drawn up. If a satisfactory format “exisis/will exist already, this rather than people from. "has been/can be used; "otherwise/unless, a new format *needed/needs to outside it be devised. externally concerning or directed towards people from outside a place, an organization, your particular situation, etc. F Write a short text [100-200 words) based on the following information, using conditional sentences as appropriate and following the instructions. The catering company Eatwell has been doing badly for the last few years. Their senior staff have worked hard, and they have obtained some new contracts, but their brand identity” (the way in which the company wants to bc seen by the customer) is not clear. Now they have appointcd a new sales director to turn the company around. Write a short analysis of' what went wrong, with some suggestions for the future. Begin your text, If Fatwell had ... dynamicia force that produces change, action, or effects 17 Challenge yourself 
