Scarica Conditional Sentences in English Grammar: Exercises and Explanations e più Esercizi in PDF di Lingua Inglese solo su Docsity!
Reminder -+ M9-M
In real conditionals we usually use a present ten^ se^ verb^ in^ the^ if-clause^ to^ tal^ k^ about^ the^ future:
0 If you Leave^ now,^ you'll^ be^ able^ t^ o^ catc^ h^ the^ 5 o'clock^ train.^ (or^ If^ you^ 'r^ e^ leaving^ now^ ...^ )
However, in conversation we can use be going^ to^ instead^ of^ a^ present^ tense^ verb:
0 If I'm going^ to^ catch^ the^ train,^ I'^ ll^ have^ to^ leave^ now.
C We'll need more chairs if we' re going^ to^ invite^ so^ many^ people^ to^ the^ performance.
When^ we^ make^ offers,^ and^ give^ instructions^ or^ advice^ we^ can^ use^ an^ imperative^ in^ the^ main^ clause: Take^ another^ sandwich^ if^ you^ '^ re^ hungry^.
0 If you have^ a^ mobile^ phone,^ check^ t^ hat^ it^ is^ turned^ off.
We can use if-clauses with a present tense^ verb^ to^ introduce^ certain^ conditions^ under^ which something is true. In this case, 'if' has^ a^ meaning^ similar^ to^ 'when^ ':
0 The video pauses if you click on^ this^ button.
C If age-related^ changes^ are^ taken^ into^ account,^ the^ conclusion^ remains^ the^ same^.
We can talk about possible future events^ with^ a^ present^ perfect^ verb^ in^ the^ if-clause^ and^ a^ future^ form (will, pr^ esent^ continuou^ s,^ or^ be^ going^ to^ )^ in^ the^ main^ clause.^ Sometimes^ present^ perfect^ or^ present simple can be^ used^ with^ a^ similar^ mea^ ning: '-' I'll lend you War and Peace if I' ve fin^ i^ shed^ it^ before^ you^ go^ on^ holiday.^ (or^ ...^ if^ I^ fini^ sh^ ...)
C::, If you^ haven^ 't^ paid^ the^ bill^ by^ Friday,^ we're^ taking^ the^ carpets^ back.^ (or^ If^ you^ don^ 't^ pay^ ...^ )
However, to focus^ on^ the^ future^ consequences^ of^ a^ past^ event,^ we^ use^ the^ present^ perfect.^ Compare: If I' ve failed my exam again, I'm giving^ up^ the^ course.^ (suggests^ I^ have^ already^ taken^ the exam; I do^ n^ 't^ know^ the^ result)^ and (l If I fail my exam^ again,^ I'm^ giving^ up^ the^ course.^ (I^ may^ or^ may^ not^ have^ taken^ the^ exam)
Unreal conditionals
In unreal conditionals^ we^ can^ use^ if^ ...^ were^ +^ to-^ infinitive^ rather^ than^ if^ +^ past^ si^ mple^ to^ talk^ about imag in ary future situations, particularly when^ it^ is^ unlikely^ that^ the^ situation^ in^ the^ if-clause^ will happen (see also^ Unit^14 ): CJ If th e technology^ were^ to^ become^ available,^ we^ would^ be^ able^ to^ expand^ the^ business. However, note t h at we don't^ usually^ use^ t^ h^ is^ patt^ ern^ with^ verbs^ such^ as^ belong^ ,^ doubt^ ,^ enjoy,^ know^ , like, re member , and understand when they describe a^ state^ : ._; If I knew they were honest, I'd gladly lend them the money.^ (not^ If^ I^ were^ to^ know^ ...^ )
We sometimes use this pattern to make a^ suggestion^ sound^ more^ polite:
0 Would^ it^ be^ too^ early^ for^ you^ if^ we^ were^ to^ meet^ at^5 :30?
We use if it was^ not^ for^ +^ noun^ phrase^ (or^ more^ formally^ if^ it^ were^ not^ for^ +^ noun^ phrase^ )^ to^ say that one si tu ation is dependent o n another si^ tuat^ ion^ or^ on^ a^ person^ (see^ also^ Unit^ 8SA^ ).^ When^ we^ ta^ lk about the past we can also use if it had not been for^ +^ noun^ phrase^ : := If it wasn't I^ weren't^ for^ Nina,^ the^ conference^ wouldn't^ be^ going^ ahead^. ......., If it hadn't been for^ Dad,^ I^ wouldn't^ have^ gone^ to^ college.^ (or^ If^ it^ wasn't^ I^ weren't^ for^ ..^ .) In formal language we can also use Were it not for ... and^ Had^ it^ not^ been^ for^ ...^ (see^ Unit^ 84A^ ):
2 Were it not for Nina ...
C' Had it not been for Dad ...
We can use but for + noun^ with^ a^ similar^ m^ eaning,^ particularly^ in^ formal^ contexts: The village school would^ have^ been^ closed^ years^ ago^ but^ for^ the^ determination^ of^ teachers and parents to keep it open. (= ... if it hadn't been for^ the^ determination^ ...^ )
Exercises
......,,., Complete these sentences w ith an imperative (1 -3) or an if-clause (4-6). fJ 1 There have been a lot of thefts from cars in the city centre. If you leave your car there,
.. majce. ?<Are iJ:.'? Loci::E4. / 4.Pn't. M!; y<A.lμo..bLes .Y':. i.t.
2 If you have any more problems with the computer, .. 3 If you see Ned today, 4 keep well away from them. 5 don't hesitate t o get in touch with me again. 6 get off at the stop near the library.
GD Complete the sentences using the verb pairs from the box. Use the present simple or present perfect in the if-clause, and give alternatives. Notice any differences in meaning. ct not fill in - need not arrive - give
not help-go study kAOW
leave-meet break - have to
If you .. fvlacbeth , you 'll know .. the scene with the witches.
2 If you ... home before I get there, I'll. 3 If you ..... the window, you 'll ..
.. you at the airport. pay for it. 4 If the taxi.. ........... ......... by 10 o'clock, I'll ............. you a lift to t he station. 5 If you an application form, you will ... .. to do so before you can be considered for the job. 6 If the antibiotics ... ....... .................... by the end of the week, I'll .. ............. back to the doctor.
- If necessary, correct the italicised part of the sentence using a past simple form of the same verb. a 1 I'd sell t he house immediately if it were to belong to me. 2 If they were to hold an election now, the Democrats would undoubtedly win. 3 I'd go back to the restaurant if I were to like sushi more. 4 If I were to doubt his honesty, I wouldn't employ him. 5 There would be no cinema in the town if the Odeon were to close. 6 If I were to understand Chinese, I'd do the translation myself.
- Complete these rewritten sentences with similar meanings. II 1 The weather was terrible. Otherwise, we wou ld have gone walking this weekend. If it had ... . l'.lQt. furJhe J;e.rr_tpt? .. .. gone w@end,. 2 His happiness would have been complete except for his anxiety over Carla. If it were
3 The stri ke would probably still be going on if the government hadn't intervened. Were it
4 The fight could have got out of hand if the police hadn't arrived. Had it ..
5 Everything was quiet except for the sound of birds singing. But for ..... .... ... ...... ...........................
6 There would have been far more wars in the last 50 years without the United Nations. If it was
7 We would have been here two hours ago except for the roadworks. If it had
167
Exercises
m:'lll"'E'I• Re w ri te the se sent e nces with similar mean ings. Be gin wi th t he word given. a 1 Consult your doctor again if the symptoms remain 72 hours after starting the course of medicine. Should. .. _ S.H.rr.pi:pn:is. n, .. .. ctt - .... g>_ nS,!,',!J; _ .!d9f.Al.'. ... - Maj.rl_. 2 You would know what you have to do for homework, if you had not been (^) absent from school on
Friday. Had ...
3 Clare would have been able to stay with her friends if they were still living in Brussels. Were _ ..
4 The factory would not have had t o shut down if the wo rkers were prepared to accept a wage cut.
Were ... .. ___ ..... ................. .... --- -- ----- .. - .. ...
5 We shall have to reduce the number of employees if the fi nancial performance of the compa ny
doesn't improve in the near fu t ure. Should ...
6 I might have considered taki ng the job if the salary had been higher. Had ... .............. ...... _ .. __ __ .......... ........ .....
cm If necessary, correct the italicised parts of t hese sentences. Q
1 If I will press this button, will it start to record?
2 You're welcome to borrow my old bike, if you think it will be of any use to you.
3 If he won't resign, t he Prime Minister should sack him.
4 If the disease will be untreated, it can lead to brain damage.
5 Ifyou' ll tell me where the vacuum cleaner is , I'll do some cleaning.
6 Ifyou'll complain about me, I'll get into trouble with my teacher.
7 If it' ll save money, I'm willing to go by public tra nsport.
If possible, rewrite the italicised parts of these sentences with happen to. If it is unlikely, write )( aft er th e s entenc e. a
1 If I see Georgia when I'm in Rome, I'll send her your regards.
2 If a UFO landed in the centre of New York , there would be mass pani c.
3 The plan for a new airport to be built outside London is bad news if you live nearby.
4 If I was the President, I would order our nuclear weapons to be destroyed.
5 Ifyou are in the south of Spain next week, there is a good chance of seeing a total eclipse of the
sun.
.:ii.a.• Comple te the sentences using your own words or th e not es if you prefer. E>
(agree - everything Julia said} (I s ay shoeking)- (it - reverse - wall} (try - i mag ine - contained} (overcome - great wea riness)
1 My father raised his eyebrows as if I 11CA..d.. so..U:l. sometni.ng shod::i.ng. 2 He folded his arms on the table and laid his head on them, as if ___ 3 She stared hard at the parcel as if ... 4 He nodded h is head slowly as if ... 5 The back of the car looked as if ...
169
In^ unreal^ conditional^ sentences^ we^ can^ use^ we^ re^ after^ any^ subject
in the if-clause, including singular first and third person^ subjects^
M13-M17'
(e.g.^ I^ I^ she^ I^ he^ I^ it^ ).^ Th^ is^ use^ of^ were^ is^ sometimes^ called^ the^ past^ subjunctive,^ and^ is^ generally
preferred only in formal contexts.^ Note^ that^ although^ the^ verb^ has^ a^ past^ form,^ reference^ is^ to^ the imagined present or future: 0 If your mother were^ here,^ I'm^ sure^ she^ wouldn't^ let^ you^ eat^ all^ those^ chocolates.
0 My job would not exist if^ it^ were^ not^ for^ government^ funding.
Was c an be used instead of were with the same meaning^ ('If^ your^ mother^ was^ here^ ...^ ',^ etc.). However, we pref er were^ rather^ than^ was^ when^ we^ give^ advice^ with^ If^ I^ wer^ e^ you^ ...^ :
0 If I were you , I'd take^ it^ back^ to^ the^ shop.^ It's^ got^ a^ hole^ in^ it.^ (rather^ than^ If^ I^ was^ you^ ...^ )
Were is used in this way in other patterns^ when^ we^ talk^ about^ imaginary^ situations^ -
(i) when we use were + subject + t o - infiniti ve or were^ +^ sub^ j^ ect^ as^ a^ more^ formal^ alternative^ to^ if^ +
subject + was I were (see also Un it 84A ):
0 Were the election to be^ held^ today,^ the^ Liberals^ would^ win^ easily.^ (or^ If^ the^ elect^ i^ on^ was^ I
were held today ... )
0 Were^ I^ not^ in^ my^ seventies^ and^ rather^ unfit,^ I^ might^ consider^ taking^ up^ squash.^ (or^ If^ I^ wasn^ 't
I weren't in my seventies and^ rather^ unfit^ ...^ )
(ii} after wish :
0 I enjoy my job enormously,^ but^ I^ wish^ it^ were^ closer^ to^ home.^ (or^ ...^ I^ wish^ it^ was^ ...^ )
C Of course I'm pleased that Jan has been given^ the^ award.^ I^ only^ wish^ he^ weren^ 't^ so^ boastful
about it. (or ...^ I^ only^ wish^ he^ wasn^ 't^.^ ..^ )
(iii) after if only^ when^ we^ express^ our^ regret^ that^ a^ situation^ isn't^ different:
0 'If your job is so bad, why don 't you leave?'^ 'If^ only^ it w^ er^ e^ that^ simple.'^ (or^ If^ only^ it^ was^ ...^ )
C I'd really like to do accounting. If only I weren'^ t^ so^ poor^ at^ maths.^ (or^ If^ only^ I^ w^ asn^ 't^ ...^ )
(iv) after would ('d) rather and^ would^ ('d)^ soone^ r^ when^ we^ talk^ about^ preferences:
CJ I feel embarrassed about what^ happened^ and^ would^ rather^ t^ he^ ev^ e^ nt^ we^ re^ forgotten.
(or ... was forgotten .)
0 'I've arranged^ a^ meeting^ for^ the^ end^ of^ July.'^ 'I'd^ sooner^ it^ were^ earlier,^ if^ possible.^ (or^ ...^ it^ was
earlier.)
(v) in sentences or clauses beginning with suppose , suppo^ sing^ and^ imagine:
8 Suppose^ I^ were^ to^ lower^ the^ price^ by^ £100.^ Would^ you^ consider^ buying^ the^ car^ then?
(or Suppose I was to lower^ ...^ )
0 I know it looks rather dirty now, but^ imagine^ th^ e^ house^ w^ ere^ (to^ be)^ repainted.^ It^ would^ look
a lot more attractive. (or^ ...^ imagine^ the^ house^ was^ (to^ be)^ repainted.)
And in comparisons we can use were -
(vi} after as if and as though (see Unit 840 ) and even if:
(' I remember stepping off the boat in New York as if it^ w^ e^ re^ yesterday.
C' Despite losing the election,^ she^ continues^ to^ act^ as^ though^ she^ were^ prime^ minister.
C It's too late to start the work this^ year^ even^ if^ it^ w^ ere^ possible^ to^ find^ the^ money^ for^ it.
If ... not and unless
Unless is used^ in^ conditional^ sentences^ with^ the^ meaning^ 'except^ if':
You can't t ravel on th is t r ai^ n^ unless^ you^ have^ a^ reservation.
With^ unless^ we^ u^ se^ present^ tenses^ when^ we^ talk^ about^ the^ future:
0 Unless^ it^ rains,^ I'^ ll^ pick^ you^ up^ at^ six.^ (not^ Unless^ it^ will^ rain^ ...^ )
In real condit ional sentences,^ we^ can^ often^ use^ either^ unless^ or^ if^ ...^ not^ with^ a^ simil^ ar^ meaning:
Unless the theatre is able to raise £100,^ 000,^ it^ w^ ill^ have^ to^ close.^ (or^ If^ the^ theatre^ is^ n't^ able
to ... ; implies 'it w^ ill^ have^ to^ close^ only^ if^ it^ can't^ raise^ the^ money')
However, we use if ... not but not unless^ -
* when^ we^ say^ in^ the^ main^ clause^ that^ an^ event^ or^ action^ in^ the^ if-clause^ is^ unexpected:
I' ll be amazed if Christie doesn't win.
usua ll y in questions:
... If you^ do^ n't^ pass^ the^ test^ ,^ what^ will^ you^ do?
when the 'only if'^ implication^ does^ not^ apply:
If it was n't the best performance^ of^ Hamlet^ I've^ seen,^ it^ was^ certainly^ the^ strangest.
We usually u se if ... not rath^ er^ than^ unless^ in^ unreal^ conditional^ sentences:
If I we ren't so tired, I'd give^ you^ a^ hand.
However, unless can be used in unreal^ conditional^ sentences^ when^ the^ main^ clause^ is^ negat^ ive:
She wouldn't^ have^ gone^ to^ university^ unless^ her^ parents^ had^ insisted.
If and whether
We can^ use^ if^ or^ whether^ to^ say^ that^ two^ possibilities^ have^ been^ talked^ or^ thought^ about,^ or^ t^ o^ say
t hat people are^ not^ sure^ about^ so^ meth^ ing:
They couldn't^ decide^ if^ I^ whether^ it^ was^ worth^ resitting^ the^ ex^ am^.
Do you know if I whether Ben^ 's^ at^ home?
Whether^ can^ usually^ be^ followed^ immediately^ by^ or^ not.^ Compare:
I didn't know if Aya was^ coming^ or^ not.^ (not^ ...^ if^ or^ not^ Aya^ was^ coming.)^ and
I didn't know whether or^ not^ Ay^ a^ was^ coming.^ (or^ ...^ whether^ Tom^ was^ coming^ or^ not^ ...^ )
We use whether^ rather^ than^ if^ -
).( after^ a^ preposition^ (although^ if^ is^ sometimes^ used^ informally)^ and^ before^ a^ to-infinitive:
We argued about whether butter or margarine^ was^ better^ for^ you.^ (informally^ ...^ if^ ...^ )
I couldn 't decide whether^ to^ buy^ apples^ or^ bananas.
in the pattern noun I adjective +^ as^ to^ whether^ to^ mean^ 'about'^ or^ 'concerning':
There was^ some^ disagreement^ as^ to^ whether^ he^ was^ eligible^ to^ play^ for^ France.
Als o: conflict, confusion, debate^ ,^ discussion,^ doubt,^ question,^ speculation,^ uncertainty^ ;
concerned, indifferent,^ uncertain,^ undecided,^ unsure
and^ we^ prefer^ whether^ rather^ than^ if^ -
after the^ verbs^ advise,^ choose,^ consider,^ depend^ on,^ discuss,^ talk^ about,^ and^ think^ about:
Yo u should consider whether^ the^ car^ you^ are^ interested^ in^ is^ good^ value.
in a clause acting as a subject or complement:
Whether the minister^ will^ quit^ over^ the^ issue^ remains^ to^ be^ seen.
( The^ first^ issue^ is^ whether^ he^ knew^ he^ was^ committing^ a^ crime.
Exercises
--• Match the sentence halves and write a new s ent ence with the same meaning, beginning ea ch one with Unless .... a 1 We'll never get to the meeting ... 2 Alte rn at i ve so u rces of funding m ust be found ... 3 If the roads haven't changed in t h at part of town ... 4 The weather must st art improving soon ... 5 If it isn't ridiculously expensive ... 6 You are only entitled to state benefit ...
a ... or the farmers will lose their crops. b ... if the trafn doesn't leave-wff.A.irrftve minutes. c ... I'm sure I' ll be able to find my way there. d ... or t he resea rch will not be able to continu e. e ... (^) I think I'll buy that painting. f ... if yo u have been unemployed for six months.
1 + b t;be. traj.r.I ... v.ii#liKl ... fi-ve. .. .... we / lL to ftle: .mezjing,.
If necessary, correct the italicised phrase using if ... not e
1 Un less she had go ne t o university, she would have gone into the army. .If .. n. ruin 't. ge>ne.
2 Unless the infection is treated urge ntl y, t here is a real d an ger that she wi ll die.
3 Unless he was so clumsy, he'd be the best person to do the work.
4 You won't be allowed into the country unless you have a visa.
5 It 'll be surprising unless Anya passes her piano exam.
6 Unless you get a loan from the ba n k, how will you pay for the house?
7 They' ll go on strike unless they get a pay rise.
8 Where wi ll you stay unless Louise is at home?
9 The police ca n't prosecute me unless they can prove I intended t o steal the ri ng.
10 She'd be a rea ll y good t eacher unless she was so disorgani sed.
- Write whether or if I whether (if both are possible) in these sentences. CIJD
I was wondering .... .. ..... .... you'd had your e xa m (^) results yet. 2 She was undecided as t o to fly or go by t rain. 3 Police (^) have refused to confirm. ... or not they have arrested anyone for the theft. 4 It is unclear ..... ..... ...... the new regulations wi ll affect all buildin gs or just new on es. 5 A: How much will the laptop cost? s: That depends on ...... .. ... ... .. .. I get one with a 15o r 17-inch screen. 6 Danny sai d that he was leaving hom e, but I di dn't know to believe him. 7 Have you any idea ... ... .. Steve wi ll be at the meeting? 8 Can you remember ..... ..... the door was open or closed when you got to the house? (^9) There was considerable debate as to chess was a game or a sport. 10 I don't know ... Andrea's going to wait for us or not. 11 The government is considering. ... ..................... to hold an enquiry in to th e accident. 12 Everyone in the village was very friendly. It didn't matter ...... you'd lived there for a short or a long time.
TO
Exercises
- Complete the sentences with an appropriate adverb and a form of either come or go. D
1 We'd just got to the top of the hill when ... 4Pw.n... ....... the rain and we got soaked.
2 just when you've bought a computer that you think will last a lifetime, .... ......... _. some new softwa re that needs an even bigger hard drive. 3 Whenever I ask the class a question,. ... .. their hands and they sit patiently until I choose one of them to answer. 4 I asked Ryan to get three kilos of potat oes from the supermarket and he only bought one kilo, so .......... .... ... .... .. ... ..... .. ... he ....... ............ .. ..... ... ....... to get some more. 5 After I'd been waiting for an hour, the door opened and ..... .. ................. the nurse, who said the dentist would be able to see me now. 6 I'd lost hope of getti ng the cat o ut of the tree, when ... ... ... ................... a man with a ladder. 7 As soon as I'd given Daisy some pocket money, ...... ....... .. .. she to buy sweets.
- Match the sentence halves and write new sentences beginning Were ... ,Should ... ,or Had ..•. Cl 1 If Kahn had not resigned as party leader,... a it would cut the journey time from New York 2 If you do not wish to receive further to Tokyo by four hours. information about our products,... b there are less expensive models in the range. 3 If the plane we re ever to be built , ... c he would have been sacked. 4 If the ice hockey team wins again today ,. .. d I would have no hesitation in accepting. 5 If I were offered the job,... e he would be writing novels about the 6 If a car had been coming the other way,... homeless in London. 7 If there had been a referendum on the issue,... f it is unlikely that the electorate would have 8 If you are not able to afford the SXL3,... supported t he government. 9 If Charles Dickens were alive today, ... g it will be their tenth consecutive victory. h click on the box below. I might have been seriously injured. 1 + c .. J::l q,4.. Ka,!.ln ..'.\C>t .. .re.si.gt)e-4, o..s .. ... b.e:. ...w.oμ.!4-. .... .....
D Report the information in the table. Write three sentences using sentence frame (i) and three using sentence frame (ii).
Household expenditure (% of total income)
Housing Food and drink Clothing Transport Recreation Europe 1970 (^22 12 3 8 ) America 1970 (^15 14 2 6 ) Europe Today 17 8 5 12 9 America Today (^16 15 3 7 )
(i) Europeans I Americans spend I spent more/ le ss of their income on ... today I in 1970 than
do I did Europeans I Americans
1 ... ... ... ... .. P.f. .. l:hW..... .. o.n ...fu?4...@4.. 4r4'.i.k... ...th.®. ...4.P. .. ...
(ii) Europeans I Americans spend I spent more/ less of their income on ... than on ... today I in
19 7 0, as is I was the case today I in 1970.
- Rewrite these sentences with a similar meaning using as or than + be or do. a 1 I was opposed to the new road. Everyone else in the v illage was opposed to it, too.
. I WO..S PPPC>?e.4. t;9. ....r9.<A.4, .. .. (,t:\ ...
2 Kamal went to Oxford University. His sister went there, too. Kamal went ...
3 Compared with people in developed nations, people in poorer countries cons um e a far sma ll er
proportion of the earth's resources. People in poorer countries ...
4 Compared to five years ago, he is a much better teacher. He is ...
5 Dan is a keen golfer. His wife is a keen golfer, too. Dan is. ..
_.Additional exercise 16 (page 250) 199
In formal and literary language in particular, we use negative adverbialsat^ thebeginning^ of^ a clause. The subject and first auxiliary are inverted, anddoisused with a simple tense verb after^ - ..( thetime adverbials never (before),rarely,^ seldom^ ; barely^ I^ hardly^ I^ scarcely ... when^ I^ before; no sooner...than:
Seldomdo^ we^ have^ goods returnedtous because^ they^ are faulty.
Hardlyhad everybody takentheir seats whenDr Leebegan her lecture.
- only + a time expression, asinonlyafter, onlylater, onlyif, only once, onlythen, only when: U She bought a newspaperand so me milkattheshop onthecorner.Onlylaterdid^ she^ realise that she' d bee n giventhewrong change.
CJ Only whensheapologises will /speaktoher again.
'fr only + other prepositional phrases beginning only by ...^ , only in ...^ , only with ...^ ,etc.:
Onlyby chance had Carl discovered wherethebirdswere nesting.
Maria hadtoworkintheevenings.Onlyinthis^ way^ was^ she^ abletocomplete^ thereport.
u expressions such asatno time,inno way, on no account , under I in no circumstances:
Atnotimedid they actually break^ the^ rules^ ofthegame.
Underno circumstances are passengers permittedtoopenthedoors themselves.
"- expressions withnot...^ , such asnotonly,notuntil,notsince,notforone^ momentand alsonota + noun:
Notuntil August did the government orderan inquiry intotheaccident.
Nota word^ had^ she^ writtensincetheexam had started.
•"- little with a negative meaning:
Littledo they know^ howlucky^ th^ ey aretolive in such a wonderf^ ul^ house.^ (=^ '^ they^ don't
know' or 'they don't know sufficiently') Note t hat inversion can occur afte r a clause beginningonlyafter^ I^ if^ I^ whenornotuntil^ :
Only whenthefaminegetsworsewill world governments begintoact.
( Notuntilthetrain pulled intothestationdid^ Miguel^ findthathis^ coat^ had gone.
Inversionafter^ so^ +^ adjective^ ...that;such^ +^ be^ ...that;neither...^ I^ nor...
We can useso+^ adjective^ atthebeginning of a clausetoemphasisetheadjective. When^ we^ do^ this, thesubject and first auxiliary are inverted, anddoisused with a simple tense verb:
So successful was herbusiness ,thatLana was abletoretireattheage of 50.
So dangerous did^ weatherconditions^ become,^ thatall mountain roads were closed.
We can usesuch+be at thebeginning of a clausetoemphasise^ the^ extent^ or^ degree of^ some^ thing:
Such is thepopularity of the playthat the theatre islikelytobe full every night.
We use inve rsion after neither and nor when the se words begin a clausetoint roduce a negative addition to a previous negative clause or se nt ence:
For some time after the explosion Jack couldn'thear, and neither co uld he see.
r The council never wanted^ th^ e new supermarket^ to^ be^ bu^ ilt,^ nor^ did^ local^ residents^.
Note that we also use inversioninNeither^ I^ Nor^ do^ I,^ Neither^ I^ Nor^ does^ Diane (etc.) and in^ So^ do^ I, So does Maya (etc.).
